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The Circles of Life Conference invites interested presenters to submit a proposal (or two) for the 2018 annual Circles of Life Conference scheduled for May 3-4, 2018 at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, WI.  Between 400-500 individuals with disabilities or special health care needs, their families, and professionals from across Wisconsin attend the Circles of Life Conference each year.  We are looking for presenters including parents, family members, youth and adults with disabilities or special health care needs, professionals, providers, volunteers, or other potential presenters with information or expertise in a broad range of topics that affect families and individuals with disabilities.  Please consider submitting a proposal for the 2018 conference or share this information with other individuals who would be excellent presenters. Visit the Circles of Life web site at: www.circlesoflifeconference.com for application materials. The deadline for proposals is: October 5, 2017.


On July 26th, 2017, the Department of Justice published "27 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act," a document that provides brief case highlights about the Department's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enforcement efforts this year. The document recognizes the ADA's 27th anniversary and notes the Department's role in advancing the ADA's goals of ensuring equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.

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Here's another article about the direct care worker shortage in Wisconsin.  It reiterates that it has reached a crisis level and that advocates feel that there needs to be more than a 2% increase for long-term care and home care organizations, which is what Governor Walker recommended.  Due to this shortage, people aren't getting the crucial care they need to survive.  Although, grateful for any increase at all, advocates feel a rate increase of around 15% is needed to make a real impact.

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Self-Determination Network News: July 2017


By SD Network, 2017-07-13

96 Self-Determination Network News:

July 2017

Connect Share Learn http://sdnetworkwi.org/  

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Registration is now open for the 10th annual Self-Determination Conference. This conference ​works ​to ​empower ​people ​with ​disabilities ​in ​Wisconsin ​to ​have ​more ​control ​over ​their ​lives. ​More ​than ​600 ​people ​each ​year ​participate ​in ​the ​conference ​to ​learn ​more ​about ​self-determination ​and ​self ​directed ​supports ​so ​they ​can ​live ​independently, ​be ​members ​of ​their ​communities, ​and ​use ​public ​funds ​efficiently. ​The ​conference ​participants ​include ​people ​with ​disabilities ​and ​their ​family ​members, ​direct ​care ​providers, ​and ​professionals ​from ​Wisconsin’s ​disability ​community. Register today! 

Changes to Medicaid and the AHCA

The Senate has delayed its vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) until after its summer recess. There is a lot at stake for Wisconsin in this vote. The AHCA cuts federal Medicaid funding by 25% over 10 years and eliminates key health care protections for children and adults with disabilitiesEstimates indicate Wisconsin could lose $1 billion in funding and put many essential programs and supports for children/adults with disabilities and seniors at risk. These significant cuts to Medicaid mean cuts to Wisconsin programs like Family Care, IRIS, the Children’s waiver, BadgerCare, mental health programs like CCS, Katie Beckett, SeniorCare, autism services, therapies like OT, PT and Speech, personal care, supports provided in schools and even Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Many of these are “optional services” in Medicaid and are at significant risk of being cut or eliminated.  We encourage people to continue to contact the Wisconsin Senators to ask questions and share their thoughts about this bill.

128 Stacy’s Journal

Whether it’s going to the store to get milk, going to work, going to a doctor apportionment, or meeting friends for dinner, most people get out of their house on a daily basis. For many people with disabilities, going out isn’t always easy. In this month's entry, Stacy discusses how transportation is often one of the biggest barriers she faces. We encourage you to share your experiences as well.

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Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:

  • Guardianship Survey:  The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is conducting a survey in hopes of gathering information from a variety of stakeholders about their knowledge of and experience(s) with Wisconsin's adult guardianship system and children transitioning into adulthood to assist the  Board in better understanding which issues should be prioritized for short-term and long-term planning and action.  The survey closes August 1st.
  • Caregiver Awards: Do you know a caregiver or team that deserves to be honored for the great work they do?  The Wisconsin Long-Term Care Workforce Alliance’s Annual Caregiver Awards are the only statewide recognition of these outstanding individuals and teams working tirelessly in all service locations.  Nominations are due August 1st.
  • Big City Challenges:  Even with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and federal legislation to protect the people  with disabilities, studies find that too many American citizens are restricted in where they can go or live due to lack of handicap-accessible accommodations. Find out what many people feel is causing this.
  • New Technology Eases Transportation Issues:  Public transportation often causes difficulty and stress for people with disabilities. Read about how modern technology firms are working to change this. 
  • Update to Building Accessibility Standards:  The  International Code Council recently released an update to 2009 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities standards that provide greater accessibility to buildings for persons with physical disabilities and incorporates new elements of building design.  Learn what the new standards include.
  • Pros and Cons of On-Demand Services:  These days, people can do anything from make doctor appointments to get groceries or prepared meals delivered with just a click of a button.  While these on-demand services are often very for people with disabilities, they  often come with  some limitations.   Read about the benefits and risks of three common on-demand services.
  • MCOs and Consultant Agencies Selected for Dane County:  The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently announced the managed care organizations selected to serve Family Care members and the IRIS consultant agencies that intend to serve participants in the IRIS program in Dane County.  Find out which care organizations and consultant agencies were selected.

128 Upcoming Events                                    

Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:

Post your event on the Self-Determination Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions?  Contact Stacy Ellingen. 

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The Self-Determination Network is powered by InControl Wisconsin and supported financially by our members and Sponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you!  Find out how you can help support the Network.


Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recently announced the managed care organizations selected to serve Family Care members and the IRIS consultant agencies that intend to serve participants in the IRIS program in Dane County.  This expansion will end the wait list for more than 450 people in Dane County with long-term care needs.  

Read full press release

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The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is celebrating its 10th year of the statewide Self Determination conference Nov. 1-3 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.  This year’s theme is “Celebrating You…Mind, Body, and Spirit.” 

Registration is now open at https://www.regonline.com/2017SDC 

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It's no secret that advances in  technology have completely changed the world we live in.  People can do anything from make doctor appointments to get groceries or prepared meals delivered with just a click of a button.  While these  services were primarily designed for people on the go, there are benefits for older people and people with disabilities.  One of the biggest benefits is the potential to deliver important supports to people with mobility issues.  However, these services often come with some limitations.  This article discusses some of the benefits and risks of three services which include ride sharing, grocery delivery, and on-demand medical services.

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The  International Code Council recently released an update to 2009 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities standard that provides greater accessibility to buildings for persons with physical disabilities and incorporates new elements of building design.  The ICC A117.1 standard helps achieve uniformity in the technical design criteria in building codes that allow a person with a physical disability to independently get to, enter and use a facility. The standard is intended for adoption by government agencies and organizations.

Learn what the new standards include

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