The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Community Living (ACL) requires states that receive federal funding from the Assistive Technology (AT) Act to submit a State Plan for Assistive Technology every three years. The State Plan outlines goals for the state’s AT program and tracks progress towards these goals based on federal performance measures.

Wisconsin's AT Advisory Council has completed a draft of Wisconsin’s State Plan for AT 2018-2020. The Wisconsin AT Advisory Council welcomes your comments, suggestions, and feedback on the state plan. This plan aims to improve access to assistive technology devices and services for people of all ages in order to continue to live independently in the community with dignity and respect. Attached to this email and available at: https://atc.wisconsin.gov/atcfiles/p-02162_State_AT_Plan_18-20.pdf.

Public comments and feedback received on the State Plan for AT will be reviewed and  addressed in the plan as appropriate. The AT Advisory Council is committed to using the comments and feedback received on the plan in multiple ways—including implementation of the State Plan.

Please submit your responses via the feedback survey or in writing by Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 5 pm (CST). If you have any questions about the public comment process or need assistance completing this survey, please contact Mason Aumanstal at (608) 266-3118 or via email at MasonE.Aumanstal@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

The State Plan for AT Feedback Survey link will be active on the State Plan AT webpage (https://atc.wisconsin.gov/state-assistive-technology-plan.htm) the week of 6/4/2018.

You may also submit comments via mail or email:

WisTech Program

ATTN: State Plan

1 W. Wilson Street, Room 551

PO Box 2659

Madison, WI 53701-2659

MasonE.Aumanstal@dhs.wisconsin.gov   

Thank you in advance for your feedback on the 2018-2020 State Plan for AT!

Even though many locations claim to be accessible, people learn that they are not when they arrive. Some of these people have tried to fix this problem by creating accessibility guide apps. App makers use maps from providers like Google and data from users to create better accessibility guides. Access Earth, AccessNow, and AXS Map are some of those apps.  Most of the guide apps are incomplete, but some are better in locations where users have added a lot of content. Getting people together to test an area for accessibility and sharing the results with an accessibility app is a way to improve apps and teach people about accessibility.

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In Olmstead v. LC, the Supreme Court ruled that people with disabilities have the right to live in the community rather than in institutions and states must provide them with the services they need to do so. However, this rule is often ignored. Part of the problem is that Medicaid makes states fund institutions but does not require them to pay for in-home services. In 2015, the Disability Integration Act (DIA) was first introduced before Congress. The DIA would give people with disabilities the legal right to choose how and where they receive the services they need. It would also make states have more accessible housing that people with disabilities can afford.

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Lawmakers have delayed legislation a controversial Medicaid requirement that personal care providers electronically check in when caring for people with disabilities.  A new bill calls for a delay until 2020 of "electronic visit verification" Which hopes to decrease fraudulent billing.   Supporters of the EVV system say that the delay would give people time to develop a system based on input from caregivers an stakeholders.  Many people feel that a lot more work needs to be done.  There are many concerns about things such as privacy.

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Microsoft recently announced a multimillion dollar initiative to develop technology that will benefit people with disabilities.  The five year program will create "accessible and intelligent" solutions.  The initiative which is called "AI for Accessibility," will include seed grants,  universities and other inventors and investments in projects.

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Meet Jane. This past Diehard Advocate award recipient is dedicated to helping people with disabilities find employment.  When she’s not busy working or serving as an adviser for People First, she has a plethora of hobbies.  She believes that everyone should have the right to vote.  She also encourages people to ask for help because we can all learn from one another.  We are so fortunate to have Jane as a member of the Self-Determination Network. 

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

Jane got involved in self-determination through her  place of employment which is Portal, Inc. in Grafton. She started four years ago as a Prevocational Mentor and worked with getting people out in the community and beginning to experience jobs. Currently, she work as a Job Consultant and Job Coach with Portal.  I also work with WIOA students two days a week teaching them self-determination and living skills.

Jane also helped restart the People First Chapter in Ozaukee County and became and advisor.  It was then that she heard of the Self-Determination Network and decided to join to make community connections and have a source to help her. She has attended the Self-Determination Conference the past four years and in 2015, she was awarded the Diehard Advocate award.   “It was pretty exciting,” she says.

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

Jane is excited to see is all of the jobs available today in our community that are being filled by people with disabilities.

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

A tip Jane would like to share is that if you do not vote or do not know how, ask for help.  She encourages people to register to vote and head to the polls on voting day.  She says, “your voice matters.”  She explained that they had a member of their People First Chapter get back her right to vote which was really exciting.

What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?

“Many hands make light work,” Jane says. She explains that we don’t always have to reinvent the wheel.  She encourages people to ask for help--more times than not someone wants to help and can.

What are some of your hobbies?

Jane is a lady with many hobbies.  In addition to sewing, quilting,  and painting, she loves to wall paper. She also is an avid reader—she reads a book (mostly fiction, biographies, or cookbooks) every 10-14 days.  She also loves to people watch.

***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.

1. Participate in monthly planning meetings to move the work of the Coalition forward.
2. Identify outreach and training opportunities and serve as an ambassador for the Coalition in your community.
3. Join a subcommittee dedicated to one of the many important goals of the Coalition.
4. Share the work of the Coalition with your colleagues and friends via social media and other creative ways.

It's not widely known, but in many states people with disabilities can be stripped of their right to vote.  For adults with a developmental disability or mental illness, a guardian may be chosen to assist with management of their loved one’s finances and health care decisions. Judges are also empowered to make decisions regarding voter participation competency during these guardianship proceedings.  During this process in many states the person's right to vote can be taken away.  This opinion blog explains why many people feel that the law needs to be changed.  Many people feel that everybody should have the right to vote.

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