Microsoft knows that there are almost two billion video gamers in world, and they are ready to make it easier for gamers with disabilities to play. Today, some gamers cannot hold a game controller or have difficulties pushing more than one button on the controller at a time. Game controllers are complex and have many buttons on different sides, but not everyone can hold them. Some people with disabilities have built their own controllers, but this is extremely difficult and complex to do.

Microsoft will soon sell a controller that offers touch controls, as well as connectors for each button on a standard controller. This way, a user could plug in switches that they could not normally use on a standard controller. If a user cannot push a button with their hand, they could use an elbow or a foot. This controller will launch in the fall and will work on Xbox systems and Windows 10 computers.

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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is preparing their applications to renew the Family Care waivers. They would like your input about what to include in the renewals. If you have ideas you would like them to consider including in the waiver renewals, read the request letter on their website.

The Family Care program is administered through concurrent 1915(b) and 1915(c) federal Medicaid waivers which will expire on December 31, 2019

Ten  years ago this month, the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act was passed.  It expanded the numbers of Americans covered  by the ADA.  However, many feel that the Amendment Act  doesn't go far enough.   impairments that are controlled by medication or other measures still are considered disabilities if, when considered without the mitigating measures, the impairment would substantially limit the individual’s major life activities. 

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Thanks to a high school history class studying history of disability, a student beliieves that there needs to a National Museum of Disability.    He points out that almost all other minorities have a national museum.  The museum would be a hub of information for, by and about people with disabilities.  It'd bring aspects of disability together and allow visitors to understand what it means to be part of the disability community.  

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Circles of Life Conference 2019
35^th Annual Statewide Conference: May 2 – 3, 2019
Holiday Inn – Convention Center, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
 

The Circles of Life Conference invites you to submit a proposal (or two) for the 2019 conference. Between 400-500 individuals with disabilities, their families and professionals from across Wisconsin attend the Circles of Life Conference each year. The conference is a unique opportunity for participants to develop new skills, learn up to date information and form lasting relationships.
 
We are looking for presenters including: parents, family members, youth and adults with disabilities, professionals, providers, volunteers, or other potential presenters with information or expertise in a broad range of topics that affect families and individuals with disabilities.  Previous topics have included:

• Leadership and advocacy
• Community
• Education
• Family and self-care and wellness
• Health and mental health topics
• Long-term care
• Transition
• And many others…

We hope that you will consider submitting a proposal for the 2019 conference or share this information with other individuals who you think would be excellent presenters.
 
Please visit the Circles of Life website at circlesoflifeconference.com/call-for-presenters/ for application materials. The deadline for proposals is September 30, 2018.
 
For more information, please visit the Circles of Life Conference web site at:circlesoflifeconference.com or find us on Facebook.

People with disabilities can acquire new skills and decision-making capacity throughout their lives. Ensuring more people with I/DD retain their rights to make decisions and have the support they need to make choices in their lives is one of seven priority issues BPDD focuses on in our 2019-21 state budget and policy platform.

Recommendations include:

• creating a time-limited guardianship option for young people with disabilities that gives young people the time needed for their brains to fully mature, gain life experience, and practice with decision-making, and offers an opportunity to re-assess competency
• ensuring guardians receive training on the roles, responsibilities, and duties required of guardians under Wisconsin’s law

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People with disabilities may rely on multiple public benefit programs—including Medicaid, FoodShare, public housing, and Social Security Income or Disability Insurance—to access the health care, food, housing, and funding they need to live independently and stay out of institutions. There is no tiered path across public assistance programs for people with disabilities to gradually increase their income and assets while maintaining access to some or all supports across public benefit programs. Improving people with disabilities access to public benefit programs as they move towards life goals is one of seven priority issues BPDD focuses on in our 2019-21 state budget and policy platform.

50% of people with disabilities in Wisconsin rely on all of Wisconsin’s 20 Medicaid programs. Medicaid provides services and supports that are not available or are not available at the level needed on the private insurance market and keeps people with disabilities living in their homes and out of costly facilities like nursing homes. Improving Wisconsin’s Medicaid programs is one of seven priority issues BPDD focuses on in our 2019-21 state budget and policy platform.

Recommendations include:

• Creating a Medicaid waiver to provide a limited package of services to keep low-income people who make more than $12,000 per year independent and in their homes
• providing funding for continuous outcome improvement initiatives that improve community employment, transportation, and community living for people with disabilities
• transitioning the remaining residents of state institutions in to Family Care/IRIS
• improving access and navigation for families of the Children’s long-term support waiver program

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