Missouri recently launched its program for ABLE accounts (accounts that allow people with disabilities to have a savings account without jeopardizing their  benefits).  In Missouri, the program is known as "MO ABLE." Accounts can be used for disability-related expenses that will increase and/or maintain a person's health, independence, or quality of life.  This program is only available to Missouri residents.

Read about Missouri's program

An interesting court case has recently surfaced about how the McDonald's website and mobile app violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  A man from Chicago has filed a lawsuit against McDonald's claiming they have discriminated against him  because they have not made their website and mobile app accessible for people who have visual impairments.  The website and app are not compatible with screen readers. The plaintiff is asking the court to order McDonald's to work with a consultant to redesign the resources to be accessible for those who use screen readers.  He is also seeking compensatory damages.  

Read more 

The process for accessing personal care services through Medicaid is changing for those who are enrolled in “fee for services” Medicaid. This impacts most children and some adults including:

• BadgerCare Plus members
• Wisconsin Medicaid members
• Include, Respect, I Self-Direct (IRIS) members who do not self-direct their personal care services
• Members enrolled in Wraparound Milwaukee or Children Come First programs

The change impacts the assessment process to determine eligibility and the numbers of hours of support a member is eligible to receive. DHS recently issued a Forward health memo called the  New Personal Care Independent Assessment and Prior Authorization Policy describing the change. Attached is the fact sheet that was sent to members starting Monday April 17th. Implementation will start June 1st.

 Self-Determination Network News: 

April 2017

Connect | Share | Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org/  

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

The State legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has finished most of the public hearings on the 2017-2019 state budget.  There are three more public hearings remaining.  The proposed budget includes small increases for some programs such as specialized transportation and the Medicaid Personal Care program.  These increases do not reflect the actual need and are not guaranteed to stay in the budget.  This is your opportunity to let members of the JFC know what you like and what you don’t like! 

Aging Advocacy Day

Are you interested in issues affecting older adults? You’re invited to join members of the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN) and others to help educate state legislators about issues affecting Wisconsin’s aging population.

On Wednesday May 17th, citizens from around the state will gather in Madison for a day of advocacy training and meetings with legislators. No experience is necessary; you’ll get the training and support you need before meeting with state lawmakers. Following the training, join others from your assembly and senate district to provide information and share personal stories with your legislators to help them understand how specific legislative policies impact older constituents.  Registration closes May 1st. Learn more and register today!

The Self-Determination Network includes some very talented members and we want to help you to get to know each other a little better. Member Spotlight is a great way for us to get to know each other better.  For April, we shine the spotlight on Kurt.   This avid water skier  is involved in a plethora of disability organizations. He believes self-determination is about lifestyle development and letting people be the best versions of themselves. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Kurt.

Who should we shine the Spotlight on next?

 Stacy’s Journal

For this month's entry, Stacy talks about how having a physical disability impacts a person's fashion. We encourage you to share your experiences as well.

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

• Supporting Wellness Resource:  Here's a great resource about health and wellness activities for people who have disabilities. Check it out!
• Health and Transition Resource:  PACER's National Parent Center on Transition & Employment has a new section on their website focused on health and transition for students with disabilities.  Discover what information it has to offer.
• Neat Photo Exhibit:  A photographer did a neat project where she  took photos and interviewed people with disabilities about what they wish others understood about their condition.  Check out the photos.
• 'Special Needs' Controversy:  A group of celebrities are taking a stand against the term "special needs."  Learn about what they are did to demonstrate that everyone has the same needs.
• Caregiver Career Program:  In an effort to attract and retain more nursing home caregivers, Wisconsin is launching an innovative program called the Caregiver Career Program. Find out more about the program.
• New App:  A new dating app, Glimmer, is trying to create an inclusive space for online dating, particularly for people with disabilities.  Learn about this app.
• Interesting Court Case:  There is an interesting court case going on about how existing 911 services are inaccessible to people who have hearing impairments.  Read about the case.
• Accessible Kiosks:  New kiosks are available which translates customer's selections into sign language.  Find out how these kiosks work. 
• Impact of Care Worker Shortage:  The home care worker crisis isn't  just effecting people with disabilities who live independently in their own home or apartment; it's also effecting group homes and nursing homes.  Learn what many feel needs to be done to fix it.
• ABLE Act Improvements:  Earlier this month, a bi-partisan group of Members of Congress introduced a group of individual bills that would better the benefits provided through the ABLE Act.  Read about the proposed bills.  

 Upcoming Events                                    

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

• WI FACETS Self-Advocacy Workshop: Self-Advocate Spotlight:  April 26th, 6p.m. to 8p.m., WI FACETS, Milwaukee WI
• Action On The Square: Mental Health Advocacy Day:  May 4th, 10a.m. to 3p.m. State Capitol, Madison WI
• 2017 Circles Of Life Conference:  May 4th to 5th, Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center, Stevens Point WI
• 2017 National ADA Symposium: May 14th to 17th, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago IL
• Aging Advocacy Day:  May 17th, 10a.m. to 4p.m., State Capitol, Madison WI
• 2017 Aging Empowerment Conference: June 6th-7th, Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• Adaptive Water Skiing:  June 14th, 10a.m. to 4p.m., Brittingham Park, Madison WI
• Adaptive Water Skiing:  June 28th, 10a.m. to 4p.m., Brittingham Park, Madison WI
• US Wake Sports Festival:  August 15th to 16th,  Traxler Park, Janesville WI
• Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum:  July 9th to 14th, Edgewood College, Madison, WI
• 2017 Self-Determination Conference:  November 1st to 3rd, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI  

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. 

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.

Earlier this month, a bi-partisan group of Members of Congress introduced a group of individual bills that would better the benefits provided through the ABLE Act.  The group of bills consists of the following three pieces of proposed legislation:

• The ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 817/HR 1874) would raise the age limit for ABLE accounts to age 46.
• The  ABLE Financial Planning Act (S. 816/HR 1897) would allow families to rollover savings in a 529 college savings plan into an ABLE account.
• The ABLE to Work Act (S. 818/HR 1896) would allow individuals and their families to save more money in an ABLE account if the beneficiary works and earns income.

Learn more about these proposed bills

The home care worker crisis isn't  just effecting people with disabilities who live independently in their own home or apartment; it's also effecting group homes and nursing homes.  The state budget has a 4% pay increase for care workers, but many feel that's not near enough.   People feel there  needs to be  a 15% increase to be competitive with other jobs.

Read more

The State legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has finished one-third of the public hearings on the 2017-2019 state budget.  There are three more public hearings remaining:

Tuesday, April 18 (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)Spooner high School (Auditorium)801 County Highway ASpooner, WI 54801


Wednesday, April 19 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)Ellsworth High School (Gymnasium)323 West Hillcrest St. Ellsworth, WI 54011


Friday, April 21 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)Marinette High School (Auditorium)2135 Pierce Ave.Marinette, WI 54143

Reports from the first two hearings indicate turnouts have been lower than in the past several budgets and while several people have testified on aging and disability issues at each of the hearings, more voices are needed!  
Some may feel there is no need to testify (orally or in writing) on the budget as they may not see any significant budget cuts or changes proposed for aging and disability programs.  Please know two very important programs funded in the last budget – healthy aging grants and the dementia care specialist program – are not funded in the 2017 – 2019 budget and will not be funded unless we ask members of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to add funding for these programs. 
The proposed budget includes small increases for some programs such as specialized transportation and the Medicaid Personal Care program.  These increases do not reflect the actual need and are not guaranteed to stay in the budget.  This is your opportunity to let member of the JFC know what you like and what you don’t like!   
Don’t assume somebody else will be there to advocate for the issues that are important to you and the older adults and people with disabilities in your community!  YOU are that somebody! You have the knowledge, expertise and responsibility to let these policymakers know how this budget will impact older adults and how they can make it better!
The JFC testimony is being limited to two minutes, so come prepared with short remarks and leave copies of longer written testimony.  For additional information, including how and where to submit written testimony if you are unable to attend a hearing, see Tips for Testifying Before the Joint Finance Committee.

Are you interested in issues affecting older adults? You’re invited to join members of the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN) and others to help educate state legislators about issues affecting Wisconsin’s aging population.

On Wednesday May 17, citizens from around the state will gather in Madison for a day of advocacy training and meetings with legislators. No experience is necessary; you’ll get the training and support you need before meeting with state lawmakers. Following the training, join others from your assembly and senate district to provide information and share personal stories with your legislators to help them understand how specific legislative policies impact older constituents.

Aging Advocacy Day Schedule

9:00 — 10:00 a.m.: Registration, Capitol Lakes - Continuing Care Retirement Community, 333 W. Main Street, Madison, WI 53703

10:00 a.m.: Advocate training, briefing on WAAN’s state priority issues, tips for effective communication with your state legislators

11:00 a.m.: Planning time with others from your district

12:00 p.m.: Lunch & walk/travel to the State Capitol (3 blocks)

12:45 p.m.: State Capitol, North Hearing Rm. - 2nd Floor North – Store your items during legislative visits or meet up with staff/volunteers to get any questions answered or discuss visits.

1:00 - 2:45 p.m.: Legislative visits (Senate visits will be scheduled from 1- 1:45p.m. and Assembly visits from 2-2:45 p.m.) *WAAN will be scheduling all legislative visits.

2:15 - 3:00 p.m.: Check-out and debriefing, State Capitol, North Hearing Room—2nd Floor. Turn in your Advocacy Day feedback sheets and evaluation.

Your voice can make a difference! For more information or to register, visit http://gwaar.org/waan or contact your local aging unit or ADRC. Registration deadline is May 1, 2017.