News
APPLE.COM: Apple, creatives, and disability rights activists reflect on 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act
By SD Network, 2020-08-06
Apple interviewed four people with disabilities to show how Apple's built-in accessibility settings have made the lives of people with disabilities easier. Apple has a variety of accessibility settings built into their devices meant to help people with many different kinds of disabilities use them easily.
NPR: Another Problem On The Health Horizon: Medicare Is Running Out Of Money
By SD Network, 2020-08-06
A fund for Medicare that pays for hospitalizations and in-patient care may run out of money as early as 2022 or 2023. A researcher at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania came up with this estimate. The trustees at Medicare have not adjusted their estimate from April. That estimate predicted that this fund would run out of money by 2026. This fund gets most of its money from a 1.45% tax paid by employees and employers. This is likely to happen sooner than people thought because millions of people are no longer working. This means that less money from the tax is going to this fund. It is not clear what would happen when Medicare runs out of this money.
A study is being done of the impact of self-driving cars on those with disabilities. Many people feel they will be life-changing for people with disabilities. This article details a lot of the advantages.
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: Governor's Task Force on Caregiving Policy Proposal Feedback Survey: Summary Report
By SD Network, 2020-08-06
Earlier this summer, the Governor's Task Force on Caregiving conducted a survey about policy proposals. 1507 people took the survey. This is a summary of the results.
U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS: Using BLS Data to Match People with Disabilities with Jobs
By SD Network, 2020-08-06
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a "Spotlight on Statistics: Using BLS Data to Match People with Disabilities with Jobs." This Spotlight highlights BLS’s data products that can be used to help people with disabilities plan their career paths.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Senate COVID-19 Relief Proposal Overlooks Disability Community, Advocates Say
By SD Network, 2020-07-31
As another COVID relief bill begins to form, disability advocates worry that people with disabilities are being ignored again. The legislation, known as the HEALS Act, calls for another round of stimulus payments to individuals, liability protections for businesses and funding for schools, among other initiatives. However, despite strong advocacy, it doesn't include any new funding for home-and community-based services or Medicaid.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: How the Americans with Disabilities Act transformed a country
By SD Network, 2020-07-31
The 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act was in late July. This piece of legislation changed life for many people with disabilities. This article gives a great history of it and explains what it continues to do.
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Evelyn has been involved with education for twenty-two years. She worked with the Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative as a Family Engagement Coordinator in northern Wisconsin from the time the grant started in January of 2000 to June 30th of 2020. She explains that in the position she worked with families and educators of students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to ensure good outcomes for students. In that capacity she had the opportunity to work with other agencies that provided different types of support services for families.
In April of this year, she accepted the position of Business Developer with the Red Apple Center in Phillips, Wisconsin. “Red Apple is a private non-profit organization that has been providing employment opportunities and person-centered planning for adults with disabilities in Price County and the surrounding region since 1971,” she shares. In her new role, she works across private, public and corporate sectors to improve awareness of the Red Apple Center, manage their brand, build networks within the local and statewide community, and most importantly work to increase opportunities for Red Apple Center clients.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Whether being part of an IEP team, serving on a committee or facilitating a conversation Evelyn’s focus is always on an outcome that recognizes an individual’s capabilities. She explains that too often we build plans with the intent to minimize deficits. Although that approach is done with good intentions, she believes building from the perspective of strengths allows better outcomes for all. She joined the SD Network to stay informed and involved with current best practices.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Evelyn thinks Wisconsin has been and continues to be a leader in the self-determination arena. “I am excited to be learning more about groups like Wisconsin Employment First and InControl Wisconsin and the projects they are undertaking,” she says. She’s also becoming more informed about the supports offered through our state agencies.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Evelyn shares that she believes the key to becoming more self-determined is to try and change things that might be viewed as obstacles into opportunities to try something new.
What are some of your hobbies?
Evelyn enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, and hanging out with two American Water Spaniels.
***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.