Want to learn about what’s in the Wisconsin State Budget?  Concerned about whether supports people with disabilities need will continue to be funded? Attend a State Budget Training in your area.

The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, The Arc Wisconsin and Disability Rights Wisconsin are partnering to bring budget trainings to as many communities as possible during the months of March and April.

Find out where and when these trainings are!

Lawmakers are making efforts to renew a federal program that helps people with disabilities move from institutions to community-based settings.  Legislation introduced late last month known as the EMPOWER Care Act would reauthorize Money Follows the Person for five years--a Medicaid program gives states extra dollars to provide employment, housing and other services needed to assist people transitioning from nursing homes and institutions to apartments or group homes.

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New legislation, known as the ABLE Adjustment Act, would make ABLE accounts accessible to thousands of more people.  Currently, individuals with disabilities that onset by age 26 qualify.  This new Act would move the age to 46.  ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save up to $100,00 without risking eligibility for Social Security and other government benefits. 

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Meet Ginger Beuk.  Beginning at a very early age, this self-advocate learned the value of self-determination and advocacy.  When she’s not busy attending meetings for People First where she fiercely advocates for people with disabilities, she loves watching Wisconsin sports.  We are so fortunate to have her as a member of the Self-Determination Network! 

What's your story?  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Ginger was born with cerebral palsy. Her parents started advocating for her at a young age. She explains that as she grew up, she learned why it was important to advocate for things that would make her life easier and better. She is a very independent woman who lives in her own apartment with staff that comes in a couple days a week to help her with things that are hard for her to do.

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?

Ginger joined the Self-Determination Network so she could use it as a resource for her local People First group.  She also as a tool in her own life.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?

Ginger explains that there are a couple things in Wisconsin that are great news to anyone with a physical challenge or intellectual challenge. The first thing is that last year Governor Walker signed a bill to make Supported Decision Making as an option to Guardianship. The second is that Governor Evers has signed Executive order #11 to create a task force to help caregivers in Wisconsin.

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

As Vice President of People First Wisconsin, Ginger knows everyone has the chance to start living a self-determined life. “Even if it is as simple as picking out the clothes that they want to wear that day,” she explains.

What are some of your hobbies?

Ginger is an avid sports fan.  She loves watching Wisconsin sports teams—especially the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and the University of Wisconsin football. She also enjoys doing a lot of jigsaw puzzles and loves coloring in adult coloring books.

***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.

Apple recently announced that later this year 59 new emojis that represent people with disabilities will be released. People love using emojis to express emotion, talk to others, and shorten messages by sending emojis instead of words.

Soon people will be able to send a message with a service dog, a person using sign language, or even someone with prosthetic limbs.  There are also  such things as a hearing aid ear, a person using a wheelchair, or a person using a white cane will. There are even distinct guide dogs and service dogs.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is working with the Administration for Community Living through the National Quality Forum (NQF) to address quality measurement in person-centered planning. NQF is seeking individuals with experience in person-centered care to serve on a multi-stakeholder panel. The nomination period is open until March 29, 2019, at 6 PM.

Over an 18-month period, NQF will use a multi-stakeholder approach to address person-centered planning and practice (PCP) as part of long-term services and supports (LTSS) systems. Beginning with the establishment of definitions, core competencies, and necessary systems characteristics, this work will establish a foundation for performance measurement of person-centered planning, catalyzing the development of a robust quality measure set that interfaces with other healthcare quality measures across provider types, settings, payers, delivery systems, programs, conditions, and populations. Both practical as well as forward-looking considerations, recommendations, and guidance will be provided to enhance the success of person-centered planning and coordination at the state level.

Information about the project and the nomination project is on the NQF website

For people with disabilities, finding dental care is often a struggle.  Nearly one-third  of adults with disabilities in Wisconsin had a tooth removed in the last year and one in four had not been to a dentist in at least 12 months.  The American Dental Association recently revised its code of conduct to prohibit denial of care to patients with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities.  If a dentist is not equipped to handle or accommodate an individual, the code requires them to refer the patient to an appropriate provider.

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A new Capacity-Building Toolkit for Including Aging and Disability Networks in Emergency Planning is now available called the Capacity-Building Toolkit.

This resource guides aging and disability networks to increase their ability to plan for and respond to public health emergencies and disasters. This toolkit helps programs that support older adults and people with disabilities, through the emergency planning process of preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities.

The toolkit was written by the National Association of County & City Health Officials and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, in partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and the Administration for Community Living.

It can help organizations of all types conduct more inclusive emergency planning by facilitating personal preparedness for aging adults and people with disabilities. It can also help expand organizational knowledge of the unique challenges these populations face during emergencies. The toolkit can assist emergency managers and public health officials in understanding the capabilities and expertise of community-based organizations within the aging and disability networks.

Organizations that are new to emergency planning can use this  toolkit as an orientation to emergency planning. Those with established emergency preparedness programs can use it as a resource to enhance their capabilities..