The Southwest ADA Center (SWADA) and the ADA National Network regularly receive complaints from service animal users about their treatment and inquiries from businesses regarding the presence of service animals. In order to gain a better understanding of these issues, a survey was disseminated to people with disabilities about their experiences accessing public places with service animals. After the survey we engaged a group of service animal users and representatives from key service industries in deliberative dialogues discussing survey results, identifying barriers, addressing concerns and to propose solutions. The full report detailing the findings, dialogues and proposed recommendations from stakeholders is now available to you.

View report

Accessibility continue to be an issue at many commercial and institutional facilities across the country. Now, students at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are developing a app where people can rank businesses based on accessibility. They hope to have it ready by the time for the Democratic Conversation this summer. It will look at all sorts of different accessibility things, so people can rank them and add comments.

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Once a decade, the federal government undertakes the constitutionally-mandated task of counting every person living in the United States. The decennial census is the federal government’s largest peacetime mobilization, and no data collection effort is more vital to American democracy. Your responses to the 2020 Census will help us understand who we are as a nation today and shape our collective future. This is a great document that explains the accessibility of the census.. Please pass it on to others who might find it helpful. 

	Census Info
	Census Info.pdf, 491KB ∞

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has opened several funding opportunities for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) on Community Living and Participation (both Research and Development), Health and Function (both Research and Development), and Projects for Translating the Findings and Products of Disability Rehabilitation Research and Development into Practice. 

The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities (including international activities) to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities.

DRRP on Community Living and Participation (Research): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a research project that is aimed at improving community living and participation outcomes of individuals with disabilities. A grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new or full scientific knowledge, or (2) understanding of the subject or problem studied.  

DRRP on Community Living and Participation (Development): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a development project that is aimed at improving the community living and participation of individuals with disabilities. A grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, or methods beneficial to the target population, including design and development of prototypes and processes.

DRRP on Health and Function (Research): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a research project that is aimed at improving health and function outcomes of individuals with disabilities. A grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new or full scientific knowledge, or (2) understanding of the subject or problem studied. 

DRRP on Health and Function (Development): Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a development project that is aimed at improving the health and function of individuals with disabilities. A grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, or methods beneficial to the target population, including design and development of prototypes and processes.

DRRP on Projects for Translating the Findings and Products of Disability and Rehabilitation Research and Development into Practice: Under this particular DRRP priority, grantees must promote the use or adoption of findings or products from NIDILRR-sponsored research or development projects.

Please visit the links above for more details about this grant opportunity and application process. These grant opportunities close on March 23, 2020.

Do you know a high school student with a disability who is a leader or a budding advocate? If so, please refer them to the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)!

WHO: High school students with disabilities who have an IEP (up to age 21)

WHERE: Edgewood College, Madison, WI
WHEN: July 19 – 24, 2020
COST: FREE to invited participants

In just one week, students will gain:

• Better leadership skills
• Practice getting/keeping a job
• Career exploration
• Improved self-advocacy skills
• Adult mentors to support you
• A Personal Leadership Plan to keep you focused when you go home
• Increased confidence
• Experience with independent living skills
• Connections with your state legislators & new friends
• Memories and fun!

Application is available at: https://wi-bpdd.org/index.php/wisconsin-youth-leadership-forum/
Applications are due April 1st, 2020! 

Being selected to attend the Youth Leadership Forum is a distinct honor that can go on a resume!   

Questions?  Contact, Jennifer.neugart@wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-7707.

Comcast has recently partnered with NuEyes. They are a company who set out to allow visually impaired customers access to television, through the use of virtual reality. The company created glasses and magnifying devices to do this.

The technology is lightweight and works on everyday objects, not just TV. The new partnership will now allow millions to use the technology. Comcast has also previously released other technology. These include a voice-activated remote, and a talking TV guide. The company has also sought to make their TV programs accessible. 

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The University of Texas at Houston and the City University of New York have partnered to achieve an important goal. The two schools created a device to allow seniors the ability to stand. While losing the ability of motor functions is normal among the elderly, it is a large issue. The robotic device seeks to delay the issue. The device is a wearable machine, which functions as an exoskeleton. Fortunately, the design is much lighter than those on the market. This is crucial as a heavy product restricts the user's ability. The lighter the product, the easier it is to use. The school's ultimate goal is to expand beyond seniors. Their design could certainly be utilized by many others.

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