A new free app allows people who are deaf or hard of hearing to easily communicate with others. Connect by BeWarned is an application that converts text to speech and the other way around.  Users can also use textual templates or create your own for any everyday situation.

Read more about this app

The shortage of direct care workers is no secret  in Wisconsin.  Governor Walker's 2017-2019 budget calls for a four percent increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rate for personal care.  While this may help ease the shortage, advocates feel it won't fix  the problem.  70% of personal care agencies report that they don't have enough workers to cover their clients approved hours.  Many feel there needs to more of an increase.

Read more

Statistics show that one of every five adults living in the U.S. have a disability.  Regardless if they're working or not, people with disabilities and their caregivers usually have higher daily living and medical care costs.  The tax code allows some of these costs to be deductible.  This article gives some tax strategies for people with disabilities  and caregivers to consider:

• Open an ABLE account
• Opt for a higher standard deduction
• Obtain child and dependent care credit
• Seek the disability credit
• Claim a person with a disability as a dependent
• Deduct medical expenses

Learn more about these strategies

The Kaiser Family Foundation has released a short video slideshow that explains how Medicaid works now and what is at stake as policymakers in Washington consider converting program financing to a block grant or per capita cap. The video describes how Medicaid is funded under current law, whom it covers and how spending is distributed across various groups of enrollees, including children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Watch video

The voices of people with disabilities and their families are so important in shaping public policy at the local, state and federal levels. Here's a great new document from People First WI that shows what's in the Governor's proposed budget for the WI disability community, along with questions you can ask your legislators and the Governor. Share widely and contact your state Senator and Assembly Rep! You can also use this at Disability Advocacy Day on  March 21st in Madison.  Let your voice be heard!

View summary

The federal government currently pays a fixed portion of states’ Medicaid costs, varying by state but averaging about 64%. Previous congressional budget and health plans have proposed converting Medicaid into a block grant or imposing a per capita cap. This article describes how, under these proposals, costs will shift to states and how it will effect programs.

Read article

Recently, a leaked copy of the plan to eliminate the ACA and develop a per-capita plan for Medicaid (the federal program that funds Family Care/IRIS, BadgerCare, Katie Beckett, Children's long-term supports and autism programs, etc. in Wisconsin) was released. While changes in the plan are expected, here's an overview of the direction the bill would take regarding the ACA and Medicaid.

Read overview

 Self-Determination Network News:

February 2017

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The 4th annual Aging Empowerment Conference: Living a Self-Determined Life will be held June 6th (full conference) and June 7th (Self-Determination Summit) at  the Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells.  Sponsored by InControl Wisconsin, this unique event gathers older adults, their families, and the professionals who support them and explores self-determination and empowerment in aging. Presentation proposals and exhibitor applications are now being accepted.  The submission deadline has been extended to March 1st.  Apply today!

2017 Self-Determination Conference

Mark your calendars!  The 2017 Self-Determination will be held November 1-3 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.  It's the 10th anniversary of the conference this year!  This year's theme is health and wellness.  Presentation proposals are now being accepted.  Proposals are due April 7th. Submit a proposal today! 

Disability Advocacy Day

Make your voice be heard by attending this year's Disability Advocacy Day in Madison on Tuesday March 21st! Disability Advocacy Day is designed to connect you with your legislators so you can talk about issues that matter to you. You are the expert in sharing how legislative policies affect people with disabilities in their everyday lives.  Registration closes March 10th. Find out more information 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.  In February, we shine the spotlight on Emily.  This very determined lady hasn’t encountered an obstacle that she can't overcome.  This college graduate truly encompasses the definition of self-determination!  Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Emily.

Who should we shine the Spotlight on next?

 Stacy’s Journal

In this month's entry, Stacy explains why having patience is so important when you have a disability. She talks about how waiting is a big part of her life. What do you have a hard time waiting for? We encourage you to share your experiences as well.

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

• Watch:  The ABLE National Resource Center has recorded a webinar about four of the new ABLE programs.  Learn about how these programs could benefit you.
• FINDS Survey:  The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) Survey is currently being conducted about the experiences of parents and family members who provide support to their family member with intellectual or developmental disability. This survey closes on March 30th. 
• Updated Airline Accessibility Training:  After a record number of complaints in the area of disability air travel, the US Department of Transportation recently released new training material for airlines and passengers.  Find out what the training focuses on.
• Tangata Group:  Several disability rights scholars have joined together to form The Tangata Group, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to promoting disability rights.  Read about what this group hopes to do.
• Google Maps:  Google has added an accessibility feature to Google Maps.  Learn how this feature helps people with disabilities.
• EAS Accessibility Study:  A study of the National Emergency Alert System (EAS) was recently done.  Find out what was found regarding accessibility of the EAS and what recommendations were made.
• Final Rule Regarding SNAP and ABLE Accounts:  The Food and Nutrition Service published a final rule that since the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is federally funded ABLE funds won't compromise eligible people from accessing benefits under the SNAP program. Read more about this rule.
• Family Care Expanding:  The Department of Health Services announced the expansion of Family Care services in six northern Wisconsin.  Learn which counties are finally getting much needed services.
• Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum:  The Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum is a week long training and career awareness program for high school students with disabilities.  Applications are due April 1st.
• Call for Proposals:  The 2017 Aging and Disability Network Conference is calling for Proposals for Workshop Presentations. Proposals due February 24th.
• Storytellers Fellowship:  The Disability Rights Storytellers Fellowship provides the opportunity for an individual with a disability to learn and apply skills in digital media storytelling, and to connect with media professionals to prepare participants for advanced careers in media production, journalism, online advocacy, or digital design.  Applications are due March 15th.
• Concerns over Medicaid:  Talk of major changes to Medicaid have many people with disabilities worried.  Read about how the changes could impact services.

 Upcoming Events                                    

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

• Webinar: Reimagining Home Care:  February 24th, 6a.m. to 7a.m., Online
• State Budget Training:  February 28th, 5p.m. to 7p.m., Midwest Independent Living, Stevens Point WI
• State Budget Training:  March 1st, 5p.m. to 7p.m., Headwaters, Rhinelader WI
• Advocacy for Change:  March 2nd, 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m., Concourse Hotel, Madison WI
• State Budget Training:  March 3rd, 5p.m. to 7p.m., The Arc of Washington County- Threshold, West Bend WI
• State Budget Training:  March 6th, 1p.m. to 3p.m., Public Museum in the Daimler, Kenosha WI
• State Budget Training:  March 7th, 5:30p.m., to 7p.m., Brookfield Library, Brookfield WI
• State Budget Training:  March 7th, 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m., The Arc of Dunn County, Eau Claire WI
• State Budget Training:  March 8th, 6p.m. to 8p.m, First Presbyterian Church, Hudson WI
• State Budget Training:  March 8th, 6:30p.m. to 7:30p.m., The Arc of Southwest Wisconsin, Mineral Point WI
• State Budget Training:  March 9th, 6:30p.m. to 9p.m., The Arc La Crosse Viterbo University Reinhardt Center, La Crosse WI
• State Budget Training:  March 14th, 3p.m. to 5p.m., Independence First, Milwaukee WI
• State Budget Training:  March 14th, 6:15p.m. to 8p.m., Watermark Community and Senior Center, Beaver Dam WI
• State Budget Training:  March 15th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Law Enforcement Center, Portage WI
• State Budget Training:  March 16th, 1p.m. to 3p.m., The Arc of Racine County- Gateway, Racine WI
• State Budget Training:  March 17th, 3p.m. to 5p.m., Options for Independent Living, Green Bay WI
• Disability Advocacy Day:  March 21st, 9:30a.m. to 3:30p.m., Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison WI
• State Budget Training:  March 22nd, 6p.m. to 8p.m., Orchard Ridge Church of Christ, Madison WI
• State Budget Training:  March 23rd, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Legendary Resort, Bayfield WI
• State Budget Training:  March 23rd, 6p.m. to 7:30p.m., Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Legendary Resort, Bayfield WI
• State Budget Training:  March 28th, 7p.m. to 8p.m., The Arc of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac, WI
• 2017 Multiple Perspectives Conference:  April 13th to 17th, Ohio State's Columbus Campus, Columbus OH
• 2017 National ADA Symposium: May 14th to 17th, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago IL
• Aging Advocacy Day:  May 17th, Madison WI
• 2017 Aging Empowerment Conference: June 6th-7th, Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells 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.