Meet April Nutter. Shes a devoted mother who strongly believes that self-determining who your care workers are can make a world of difference. Shes a fantastic advocate for her son Joey. Read more about April in this months SD Network Member Spotlight.

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SDNetwork?

I joined the SD network looking for answers to the upcoming budget problems and the removal of IRIS. I got very scared at the thought of losing the ability to choose who can work with our son since he is very complicated. Joey is 21 and has seizures, cognitive delays, and mood disorders.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?

Self-determining our care workers has helped us choose who is a good match for his needs and ours! We live in a rural farm area with many animals and have other children in our home. We have been able to find people who can help keep Joey involved in his interests and share the same interests! At first, I was nervous about self-determination, but the IRIS consultants are amazing; they have been more like family rather than workers. Self-determination has also given us the flexibility to change schedules if need be, and change transportation methods when needed. As much as we try to keep every day routines the same, life throws twists in there that need adjusting and its nice to know we can adjust when needed. Because we have found the right people Joey now has kept two jobs for two years!

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to direct their own supports, or who would want to be more self-determined?

I would just recommend being confident, dont be afraid to ask a lot of questions, and remember that self-determination is easier than sounds because you already know whats best and what a lot of the future goals are!

What message would you like to share with themembersof the SDNetwork?

Just remember you are never alone...there are soooo many wonderful people to help guide you through the good and bad times!

What's your dream vacation?

We have never really talked or thought about it... Joeys dream vacation is to see his brother in England--he is in the Air Force.

Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum Now Accepting Applications!!! Come celebrate our 15thanniversary with us!!!

The WI YLF is a FREE, week-long leadership training and career awareness program for high school students with disabilities. It will be heldJuly 26-31, 2015at the Edgewood College campus in Madison, WI.

If you know a high school student with a disability who is active in their school and/or community and would like to develop leadership and advocacy skills, learn more about college and career options, and start making valuable connections with other young leaders in our state, please forward them this information so they can apply today!

Applications and more information is available at:http://www.wi-bpdd.org/projects/YouthLeadershipForum.cfm.

Application Deadline:May 11, 2015

Please direct questions to John Shaw at WI BPDD john1.shaw@wisconsin.govor(608) 266-7707.

A great article in theMilwaukee Courierwritten by Tiffany Crouse about how theMilwaukee County Transit System is now offering unlimited free rides to seniors and persons with disabilities through a new transit card.

Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Can Now Ride Bus for Free

By Tiffany Crouse

The Milwaukee County Transit System is now offering unlimited free rides to seniors and persons with disabilities through a new transitcard. Applications were first accepted and processed Tuesday, March 31. That same day the first Go Passes were handed out to eligible people.

Oncethe applicationhas been filled out, processed, and you receive your Go Pass, you can use it that same day.

Long lines and long waits for the first day said Brandon Conway, Media Coordinator for MCTS. Conway believes that the long waits will only be for the first few weeks. After the initial wave of people coming to get their IDs, it should only take about five minutes to get your go pass.

In order to receive a Go Pass you need only one of these four things.

You need to be 65 or older with a current ID that proves Milwaukee residency.

You need a government ID that proves age and Milwaukee residency.

You must have a doctors note describing your disability on a professional letterhead or a prescription slip. Both of these things need to be paired with aphotoID. Look at therequirements forpersons with disabilities to be eligible for a Go Pass here:http://www.ridemcts.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/go-pass-application.pdf.

Seniors and persons with disabilities currently ride the bus at half fare, but MTCS wanted to make the bus more accessible for those who need it most in their community.

In order to get a Go Pass for yourself or another person, you will need tofill outthe applicationand bring it to the MCTS administrative building: 1942 N 17^thStreet, Milwaukee WI 53205.

We might be in your neighborhood in May, said Conway.

MCTS says that they will be opening local application drop offlocationsin May, but as of right now in order to get a Go Pass you must go to the administrative building.

They will be accepting applications from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. MCTS advises Milwaukee residences tofill outtheir applicationat homeand bring it to their registration to cut down on wait times.

The applicationandmore informationcan be found at the Milwaukee County Transit Systems website at:http://www.ridemcts.com/fares-passes/go-pass.

Source: http://milwaukeecourieronline.com/index.php/2015/04/06/seniors-and-persons-with-disabilities-can-now-ride-bus-for-free/

This is an interesting blog in theHuffington Postwritten by Cathy Kangas about how people pass their pets off as service animals. She explains that doing this is fraud, yet it's so easy to do. Service animal organizations and the Department of Justice are taking steps to prevent this.

Phony Service Dogs

By Cathy Kangas

Nothing drives me crazier than people with phony service dogs. I can't count the times I have been at a well-attended event to find a cute Pekinese decked out in a tiny service dog vest. This "service dog" spends most of the evening barking and nipping at heels when he is placed on the floor. We have become so politically correct that no one wants to say anything to the owner.

Passing a pet off as a service dog is fraud, yet all it takes to make a pet look like a trained assistance animal is buying an easily available vest on the Internet - no questions asked, just send in your money.

But remember this: Impersonating someone with a disability to obtain benefits that don't belong to you is a crime - and it's punishable in many states by fines and jail time. And when untrained pets behave badly, the people who actually need assistance dogs wind up suffering the most. Enough is enough!

Canine Companions for Independence is leading the effort to urge the Department of Justice to crack down on the sale of fake service dog products, and you can sign their letter at cci.org/stopfraud. This wonderful organization provides highly trained service dogs for free to servicemen and women who have been wounded in combat, as well as men, women and children with disabilities. The dogs take two years to train and learn more than 40 commands.

I was moved by Betsy Alison's story. She is the Head Paralympics Coach of the U.S. Sailing Team Sperry. She has been coaching sailors with disabilities for 17 years accompanied by her dog, Morrow. The interaction between Morrow and her athletes has had a positive impact on the well-being and performance of her team. Morrow provides critical emotional and psychological support for athletes when they are on the road training or competing.

I asked Betsy how she felt about people passing off their pets as service dogs. "It is a shame that people are taking advantage of the privilege of being able to have a trained service animal in public places. Many times it is quite apparent that these dogs are not trained and their behavior is less than admirable. I am often asked to show Morrow's Canine Companion for Independence Public Access Certification Card with its permit number," she said.

Cara Miller, who was born with a profound hearing loss, had her dog Maya by her side as she earned a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Her dissertation research centered around deaf identity and attitudes toward hearing dog partnerships. She discovered that many hearing dog partners felt as she did that their hearing dogs were not only a source of safety and security, but also served as a "social lubricant" inviting and facilitating conversations with other people.

Maya passed away and Cara now has an assistance dog named Turf. He helps her with her job in the Office of Diversity and Equity for Students at Gallaudet.

She is troubled by the fact that her right to public access with Turf under the Americans with Disabilities Act is threatened by disruptive behavior of phony service dogs. It lowers the public trust in the legitimacy of the training that she and Turf received to be able to function safely and successfully as a team out in the world. "I believe strongly that as an assistance dog team we are ambassadors at all times not only for Canine Companions for Independence, but for all assistance dog teams that the public might encounter in the near or far future."

These are just two stories. There are countless more about these wonderful dogs who help people with disabilities lead fuller lives. That's why it is imperative that we demand an end to phony service dogs.

Debra Dougherty, Executive Director Canine Companions for Independence Northeast Region, said: "There are an alarming number of Internet companies that sell assistance dog vests and identification to anyone who wants to purchase them. The fake certification allows people to claim their untrained pet dogs are service dogs so they will be permitted inside grocery stores, restaurants and other public places where family pets are otherwise not allowed.

As a result of this fraudulent practice, people with disabilities who have a legitimate need for an assistance dog face added discrimination and are being denied access to public places, which is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act."

A great way to hear more wonderful stories about the work of Canine Companions for Independence is to attend their Hearts & Heroes Gala on Thursday, April 16th at the Grand Hyatt in New York City. New York State Comptroller, The Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli will be the special guest auctioneer and Linda Schmidt from Fox 5 NY is the master of ceremonies. For ticket information visit: cci.org/HH2015.

We need to make sure that service dogs continued to be welcomed in all public places and that those who try to pass off a family pet as an assistance dog are punished to the full extent of the law.

Source:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cathy-kangas/phony-service-dogs_b_6978790.html

This is an interesting article inDisability Scoopwritten by Shaun Heasley about the push to give in home caregivers pay protections. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor extended minimum wage and overtime protections to home care workers for the first time. The rule was set to take effect at the start of this year, but was struck downin January. The rule is currently being appealed.

Despite Setback, Feds Push Forward On Caregiver Pay Protections

By Shaun Heasley

The Obama administration is pressing states to be ready to provide minimum wage and overtime pay to in-home care workers assisting people with disabilities.

In a letter sent to the nations governors late last week, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez urged states to budget for the pay increase even though a federal judge put a stop to a new rule requiring the change earlier this year.

Under regulationsissuedin 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor extended minimum wage and overtime protections to the nations 2 million home care workers for the first time. The rule was set to take effect at the start of this year, but wasstruck downin January.

Currently, the Labor Department isappealingthe ruling and Perez said states should make their fiscal plans assuming the agency will win in court.

Because successfully attending to the important principles of treating both workers and recipients of home care services with dignity requires thoughtful planning, I ask that you take steps now toward implementation to ensure that you will be prepared if the department prevails in this case, Perez wrote.

Traditionally, home care workers have been classified under federal labor law in much the same way as baby sitters and exempt from many wage protections. Under the new rule, however, the Labor Department sought to require that these workers be paid at least the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour and qualify for time-and-a-half for working more than 40 hours per week.

Trade groups representing agencies that employ many in-home care workers challenged the regulations. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled in the groups favor, finding that the Labor Department overstepped its authority with the mandate.

Source:http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/03/24/despite-setback-protections/20158/

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Across the Lifespan Conference

CHULA VISTA RESORT

Wisconsin Dells, WI

December 3-4, 2015

Building on the great success of last years exciting co-conference, Wistech, Wisconsin AHEAD, WI Department of Health Services and the Stout Vocational Rehab Institute have again collaborated to provide a dynamic, affordable conference in December 2015.

Across the Lifespan Bringing the Best Together seeks exhibitors for this years conference. The Call for proposals opens up on March 16th!

Our attendees represent roles in the field of assistive technology, education, rehabilitation, community living, students, consumers and families. Your participation as a presenter ensures that the conference attendees will experience the latest technology, information and resources.

The conference will feature the following presentation topics:

• Assistive Technology
• Post-Secondary Disability Services
• Transition Services
• Employment Universal Design
• Special Education
• Independent living, recreation/leisure

CALL FOR EXHIBITORS

Across the Lifespan Conference

CHULA VISTA RESORT

Wisconsin Dells, WI

December 3-4, 2015

Building on the great success of last years exciting co-conference, Wistech, Wisconsin AHEAD, WI Department of Health Services and the Stout Vocational Rehab Institute have again collaborated to provide a dynamic, affordable conference in December 2015.

Across the Lifespan Bringing the Best Together seeks exhibitors for this years conference. The Call for exhibitors opens up on March 16th!

Our attendees represent roles in the field of assistive technology, education, rehabilitation, community living, students, consumers and families. Your participation as an exhibitor ensures that the conference attendees will experience the latest technology, information and resources.

The conference will feature the following presentation topics:

• Assistive Technology
• Post-Secondary Disability Services
• Transition Services
• Employment Universal Design
• Special Education
• Independent living, recreation/leisure

The exhibition hall will be open to attendees on Thursday 12/3/15 from 8:00am- 6:00pm and Friday 12/4/15 from 8:00am-11:30am. We ask that exhibitors be set up and ready to go by 8:00am on December 3rd in order to participate in the Conference Welcome

Exhibitor Registration deadline is November 30th.

Click herefor more information.

This is an interesting article inDisability Scoop written by Shaun Heasley about questionable SSI payments. A report suggests that a questionable $5 billion was paid out in 2014.. This is believed to be due to errors in reporting income.

SSI Flagged For Billions In Improper Spending

By Shaun Heasley

A federal program designed to aid people with disabilities doled out billions of dollars in improper payments last year alone, government investigators say.

The Government Accountability Office estimates the Supplemental Security Income program paid out some $5 billion in questionable spending during the 2014 fiscal year.

The finding comes in areportfrom the investigative arm of Congress this week outlining nearly $125 billion in suspect expenditures last year across 22 different federal agencies.

SSI was one of a dozen programs highlighted for having over a billion dollars in improper payments. In addition, Medicaid and Medicare were also among the programs flagged for large spending errors.

Government investigators attributed the improper SSI payments at least in part to errors or omissions in reported income or resources by recipients of the means-tested program.

Sean Brune, a senior advisor at the Social Security Administration which administers SSI, told a U.S. Senate panel this week that despite the level of improper payments GAO found, the vast majority of benefits the agency administers are handled correctly.

Let me make clear that while we work diligently to correct and pursue them, improper payments do not equate with fraud. Improper payments can occur for a number of reasons, some of which are outside the control of the beneficiary or the agency, Brune said.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/03/18/ssi-flagged-improper-spending/20143/