The National Council on Disability (NCD) has asked Congress to promulgate a Technology Bill of Rights for Americans with disabilities. NCD established this request in its state of the union on disability policy for 2016, "National Disability Policy: A Progress Report."  The report  focuses on how information and communication technology (ICT) continues to transform modern life, and the potential ICT and assistive technology holds for improving how people with disabilities live in the world.

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Whether it's a large convention or a small meeting, event planners often struggle to make sure that events are accessible to all people.  To help event service professionals with this, the Event Service Professionals Association has created a document called "Project Access: Accessible Meetings FAQs" which is a downloadable forms venues can customize with their accessibility information.  There are  checklists that cover everything from the guest's arrival, to transportation, lodging and other factors. 

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Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 0.3 percent in 2017.  The increase reflects the annual cost-of-living adjustment.  This article does a nice job of laying out figures and showing how the increase will affect all of the amounts.

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This is a very interesting blog about the importance of  a person-centered approach to risk and different ways to help people to embed a new way of working.   The author has us think about two main questions: What risks have you taken today? and How is this relevant to care and support?  She makes a point that the only way of completely removing the element of risk is to completely stop doing the task--ever again.

She then ties  this concept into what happens in care and support environments in order to keep people safe and well.  The author suggests many times, we lose sight of the balance between what's important FOR a person and what is important TO them.  The power of choice is a huge factor--it can make a difference  to a person's happiness and wellbeing.

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If you're planning to vote in the Nov. 8 election, you can still register in person at your local municipal clerk's office, until Nov. 4. On Nov. 8, polls are open 7 AM–8 PM. If you’re in line at your polling place by 8 PM, you’re allowed to vote. Bring an accepted photo ID or a DMV-issued voting credential. In Wisconsin, to check your registration status, find your local clerk, and review a sample ballot, go to https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/ In Español: https://myvote.wi.gov/es-es/

A major issue for our community is transportation! Don't let your lack of transportation options keep you from the polling place on election day, Nov. 8! Common Cause in Wisconsin has developed a list of groups and individuals offering free rides to the polls for the 2016 election. Check it out to see if there is a free ride in your community: https://commoncausewisconsin.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/rides-to-the-polls-2016_-updated-10-31.pdf

Many disability  advocacy groups are opposing changes proposed by Congress to expand the Achieving a Better Life (ABLE) Act.  Under the ABLE Act, people with disabilities can establish special accounts where they can save up to $100,000 without jeopardizing Social Security and other government benefits.  The proposed changes would allow for better options for those already using ABLE accounts, but advocacy groups also want lawmakers to increase the eligibility age for these accounts.   Currently, to be eligible for an ABLE account,  a person must have a onset disability by age 26.  

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Do you or a loved one use IRIS? Have you heard about the "40-Hour Rule"?  If you want to know how this affects you, check out the following resources:

The Wisconsin Dept of Health Services statement about the Status of the Rule:

As you may already know, the Department of Health Services (DHS) is in the process of implementing policy related to the number of hours a caregiver can work for a participant in the IRIS program.  The intention is to ensure the health and safety of IRIS participants, as well as caregivers, while protecting the integrity of self-direction and the IRIS program.  We appreciate the input we have received from participants most affected by this rule change as we work through this process.  DHS is working on revisions to the IRIS 40-Hour Health and Safety Policy.  DHS is delaying disenrollment for noncompliance with the IRIS 40-Hour Policy until further notice.

It is important to remember that this policy, as proposed and as revised, does not reduce the hours of care granted to an IRIS participant.  DHS will communicate to participants and IRIS consultants as soon as this policy is finalized. Thank you for your continued cooperation in this effort.

Survival Coalition Recommendations for the Proposed IRIS 40 Hour Rule: Survival Coaltion is advocating for a thoughtful and evidence-based approach to developing health and safety criteria and to ensure that changes to these polices are developed alongside knowledgeable stakeholders, include people with disabilities and their care providers.

Respond to our poll about how the 40-hour rule might affect you. 

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’sAnnual Caregiver Awards are a wonderful way to recognize the dedicated caregivers in your organization or in your life.  In fact, these awards are the only statewide recognition of these outstanding individuals and teams working tirelessly in all service locations.

As an Alliance Board Member, Matt Ford states:

Caregivers are the lifeblood of the long-term care community, providing strength and vitality that is at the core of long-term care in its many settings. This is a chance to recognize their efforts and dedication to an often overlooked segment of health care. We look forward to reading their stories again! It’s always a difficult decision, which reflects positively on all the nominees.”

I urge you to honor a dedicated individual or team with a nomination for Caregiver Award.  It's easy, and all the details on how to make your nomination are below.  Please act now -- the deadline for nominations is fast approaching -Thursday, October 20th.

Thank you - I appreciate your willingness to recognize a dedicated caregiver!

Categories of Caregiver Awards
You can nominate caregivers in the following categories:

• Spotlight Individual Caregiver Awards (four awards)
• Caring Together Team Award (one team award)
• Heart of Family/Friend Caregiving Award (one award)

(Please read the attached Alliance Caregiver Awards Brochure for criteria for each Award or visit us online at http://wiworkforcealliance.com)

How to Nominate a Caregiver
To nominate a caregiver, prepare the Nomination Form and an Essay of 200 words or less, sharing why you believe the person or team deserves the award in the selected category. You can submit the nomination in two ways:

1. Online Submission: You can complete the Nomination Form and Essay online at https://gwaar.wufoo.com/forms/2016-wltcwa-caregiver-awards/
2. Mail/Email/Fax Submission: You can print and complete the Nomination Form in the Caregiver Awards Brochure, prepare the Essay in a Word document, and then email, mail or fax both to the contacts in the brochure.  Caregiver Award Brochure 2016

You must submit your nomination by October 20, 2016, to be considered.

Announcement and Recognition of Caregiver Award Winners
Each award winner will receive a certificate, a monetary prize and an invitation to be our guest at the Alliance Caregiver Awards Ceremony and Luncheon onFriday, Dec. 9, 2016, at the Wintergreen Resort in the WI Dells. The event is co-hosted with the WI Personal Services Association.