The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs) helping older adults and people with disabilities in our state to thrive. ADRCs were first piloted in 1998 in nine counties and have since expanded to cover all 72 Wisconsin counties and 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the state, providing connections to resources like adaptive equipment, dementia care services, meal delivery, and more.

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Self-Determination Network News:

October 2023

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It was another great Self-Determination Conference this year. We enjoyed seeing many of you in-person, and we're glad that people who couldn't make it could join virtually. What was your favorite part about it?  Let's keep the conversation going! Share your comments, questions, and ideas. Join the conversation!

Congratulations to the 2023 Diehard Award Winners! 

We want to congratulate this year's Diehard Award winners who were recognized at the Self-Determination Conference. These individuals received a Diehard Award for going above and beyond in supporting the lives of people with disabilities. Please help us congratulate and thank these people for their outstanding advocacy efforts:

• Martha Chambers
• Rosie Bartel
• Ed Kastern
• Elsa Diaz Bautista
• John Shaw
• Susan Borri

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.

This month, we shined the spotlight on Melanie. This young lady is determined not to let her limitations stop her from living a successful life. She has many goals and she’s determined to meet them. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Melanie.   

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Stacy’s Journal

Check out the Latest Videos!

The Self-Determination Channel is a YouTube channel by and for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Unlike other channels, the Self-Determination Channel stands stand out from other channels on YouTube because self-advocates host the videos, and decide and create the content. Videos are posted a couple times a month on a variety of topics self-advocates care about such as technology, employment, caregivers, independent living, and advocacy.

Check out the newest videos on the channel:

• "I want to inspire others."
• 2023 Self-Determination Conference Kick-Off Exhibits and Activities 
• 2023 Self-Determination Conference Wrap Up Video
• Check out my new eye gaze system

We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do so by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).

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

• New Home Care Program: Some patients can now get the same care at home as they would at the hospital. The Home-Based Hospital Care program, which began in July, allows patients to stay in a more comfortable place. Learn more about this program.
• Push for More Services and Supports in the Community:  Every year, Medicaid spends more than $200 billion on long-term services and supports (LTSS) for people with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Historically, over 80% of these funds were spent on institutional care in long-term care facilities. But, over the past thirty-plus years, in response to escalating LTSS expenditures and consumer preferences, both the federal and state governments have pushed to deliver more LTSS in the home and community. Read more about the efforts being done to make more services available.
• Input Needed:  The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting feedback on a proposed update to its mission statement. Comments due November 24th.
• Advocating for Marriage Equality: Disability advocates are staging a mass commitment ceremony on the National Mall in an effort to raise awareness about marriage penalties. Find out what advocates want.
• Annual Direct Care Workforce Report:  Review a new annual snapshot of the direct care workforce, including its demographics, occupational roles, job quality challenges, and projected job openings.
• Inclusive Farm: A farm in Fredonia hires people with disabilities. Find out what "farm fellows" do.
• Inclusive Outdoors Recreation: People with disabilities often face obstacles or unwelcoming environments when they try to use outdoor spaces. Read about the growing movement that is actively working to challenge the barriers and promote inclusivity in outdoor recreation.
• Disability as a Health Disparity: The National Institutes of Health recently designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities. Find out what this means.
• Self-driving Vehicles: Driverless vehicles are becoming more and more popular. Read about some of the pros and cons of these vehicles for people with disabilities.
• 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act: The 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act was in late September. Learn what this Act is responsible for.
• Family Care Concerns Continue: Wisconsin disability advocates continue to worry as for-profit companies buy two of the four nonprofit organizations that run Family Care. Find out why advocates are concerned.
• Airline Making Improvements: Following an investigation by the federal government after a complaint by a disability advocate, United Airlines has agreed to improve the experience for passengers who use wheelchairs. Read about what they're doing.
• Resource Line: The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is an easy way to get connected to the services you need. Learn about this resource,
• Proclamation: October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Find out what this month recognizes.
• Aging Caregiver Resources: CMS released a set of resources addressing the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living with, and receiving care from, aging parents or guardians. Check them out.
• Watch: Actor and disability rights advocate Selma Blair and President Biden recently celebrated the legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Watch their remarks.
• Effort to Update Limits:  People who receive SSI are forced to live in poverty. However, read about how that may be changing.
• EVV for Home Health Care Services:  Beginning January 1, 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services will require electronic visit verification (EVV) for home health care services and nurse supervisory visits. Learn what this means.
• Hotel Struggles:  Staying in hotels can be a harrowing experience for people with disabilities. Find out about some of the hurdles people encounter.
• Enhancing Support for Immigrant Caregivers: A new report discusses the crucial role that immigrant direct care workers play in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in long-term care for older adults and people with disabilities. Find out what it revealed.  

Upcoming Events 

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

• Conference On Employment Of Transition-Age Youth With Disabilities: November 1st-2nd, Virtual
• Webinar: Accessible Bathing Rooms: November 2nd, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual

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.

Bridging the Gap discusses the crucial role that immigrant direct care workers play in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in long-term care for older adults and people with disabilities. The report includes detailed overviews of immigrants in this workforce and offers federal-level policy recommendations, including providing work authorizations and pathways to citizenship, to better support these workers and improve the long-term care sector.

Read report

Staying in hotels can be a harrowing experience for people with disabilities. When Julie Reiskin, tried to book an accessible room in Chicago, she got one with no roll-in shower. In D.C., the bed was too high. Throughout her travels, she has often had to go days without bathing and has had to sleep in her power wheelchair. This is a common experience for disabled people like her, many of whom say they regularly experience problems staying in hotels and using their amenities. “Every time we face discrimination, we have to calculate whether we’ll deal with it,” said Reiskin, a disability advocate in Denver. “You can’t deal with every problem, otherwise you’d be doing it all the time.” So some people with disabilities have taken on the job of being “testers.”

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