The summer 2014 Youth in Development (YiD) internship program is now open for applications from November 11, 2013, through January 29, 2014.

The United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD) launched the YiD internship program in2013. The YiD program focuses on youth withdisabilities from across the U.S. who are interested in international development and foreign affairs careers. The project follows from a vision, core to USICD's mission, to increase disability inclusion in U.S. foreign affairs by supporting future generations of Americans with disabilitiesto invest their skills and talents in this field.

The summer 2014 YiD internship program will bring a groupof talented graduate students, recent graduates, and rising college juniors and seniors with disabilities to Washington, DC, for nine weeks. This will include a one-week training and orientation program followed by an eight-week internship at an international organization in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. USICD will cover the cost of fully-accessible housing during the YiD progam, reimburse travel expenses to and from DC, and provide a limited stipend. It is anticipated that the program will run from May 25 to July 25, 2014.These dates may be subject to change.

Tolearn more about the YiD program, eligibility criteria, and the application process,please visit usicd.org/template/page.cfm?id=257. This websiteanswers Frequently Asked Questionsfor applicants.You can alsodownload a printable handout about the YiD internship program.

Please disseminate this information among students and recent graduates who may be interested. If you are an international organization in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area interested in hosting a YiD intern, please communicate with yid@usicd.org.

Application deadline for the summer 2014 YiD program is January 29, 2014.

In addition to coordinating the YiD program, USICD is leading the campaign for U.S. ratification of the "Disability Treaty"--the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Campus and student leaders atare a key source of energy in mobilizing others to take action. If you want to connect with campus/student leaders at other colleges/universitiesin support of CRPD ratification, please communicate with ashettle@usicd.org. Learn more about the CRPD at disabilitytreaty.org. Campus and student leaders also can organize themselves via Facebook at facebook.com/Students4CRPD.

Thanks to the National Youth Leadership Network for this information.

You will also have access to a website with information and worksheets about things like

• how to prepare for appointments,
• how to communicate better with your provider,
• how to follow up after a visit, and
• what your rights are in healthcare.

You will take a 20-minute survey before and after using the toolkit. With your permission, we'll also ask your provider for feedback on the toolkit.

If you take part in the study, you will receive a$30 Amazon.com gift card or check.

To learn more, please contact

Angie at(503)725-9634

Self-Advocates: Please Take this Survey

Self-advocates who live in Wisconsin are encouraged to take the2013 Self-Advocate Survey.

The survey is anonymous and only takes a few moments to complete. The survey is being conducted by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and the results will be used to create materials intended to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Wisconsin.

If you'd like to, you can mention on the survey that the SD Network is where you get information.

The Disability Policy Partnership (DPP) wants to hear from you about transportation! What is working, what isnt working, and what can be done to improve transportation options for people with disabilities in Wisconsin.

Please take a few moments to complete this brief online survey:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013trans.

Also, please feel free to forward this survey to self-advocates and families who are interested in improving transportation.

Responses to this survey will guide the DPP in working to improve transportation for people with disabilities.

In the coming weeks, the DPP will be sending out three additional surveys on topics that self-advocates and families have identified as being important to people with disabilities. Watch your e-mail inbox for other short surveys on employment, education, and long-term care.

The DPP includes Disability Rights Wisconsin, the Waisman Center, and the

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.

There is going to be an increase in the SSI amounts people will receive in 2014:

With the increase, the maximum federal benefit for an individual receiving SSI will rise from $710 per month to $721. At the same time, the federal ceiling for a couple on SSI will grow from $1,066 per month to $1,082. Many states add to SSI benefits for their residents meaning that actual payments could exceed these caps.

~ fromDisability Scoop

Get more info from the Social Security Administrationand from Disabled World.

The US Senate is reconsidering ratification of the UN Disability Rights Treaty. It was originally voted on (and defeated largely along party lines) last December in spite of being based on the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and supported by abroad coalition of over 700 disability, civil rights, faith, business and veterans organizations.

Learn more:

• Interview with Senator Robert Menendez on PBS.
• Article from Disability Scoop

Contact your senatorsto let them know how you feel about the UN Disability Rights Treaty

BACKGROUND AND SCOPE OF REPORT

Voting is the cornerstone of democracy. For too long, people with disabilities have been in the shadows in exercising this basic civil right. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA), enacted in 2002, mandated improvements to the electoral process by establishing minimum standards for uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements, including, for the first time, requirements that citizens with disabilities be able to vote independently and privately. HAVA joins existing voting and disability rights laws to prohibit voter discrimination, suppression, intimidation, and denial of voting access for people with disabilities. Since 2002, HAVA has helped make voting an act of civic participation for people with disabilities; however much work remains to be done.

Using an open-ended questionnaire, the National Council on Disability (NCD) gathered the experiences of nearly 900 voters with disabilities across the nation during the 2012 election. On October 24, 2013, NCD released Experience of Voters with Disabilities in the 2012 Election Cycle. This report provides a snapshot of architectural, attitudinal, technological, legislative, and voting practice barriers that confronted voters with disabilities and provides an overview of the use of federal funds, activities, and outcomes under HAVA for people with disabilities over the past decade.

KEY FINDINGS

• People with disabilities continue to face barriers in exercising their voting rights because of architectural and physical barriers at registration and polling sites.
  • Nearly 40% of respondents to the NCDs questionnaire encountered physical barriers at their polling places.
• Voters with disabilities do not have equal access to voting systems because states and localities have not invested adequate resources, planning, and training to provide reliable, accessible voting technology.
  • 45% of respondents reported barriers inside the polling place involving voting machines.
  • Voters with disabilities face discrimination at voter registration and polling sites resulting from poorly trained election personnel and volunteers.
    • Nearly 54% of respondents encountered barriers, including attitudinal, inside the polling place.
    • 20% of respondents said they were prevented from exercising a private and independent vote.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

• State and local election officials must be held accountable for compliance with all accessibility provisions of HAVA, the ADA, and other relevant voting rights laws.
• States should upgrade their accessible voting equipment to assure universal access for people with disabilities.
• State and local election officials must invest in adequate training for all election personnel and volunteers.
• The Presidential Commission on Election Administration should adopt the recommendations made in the Experience of Voters with Disabilities report in their own report to the President later this year.

FULL REPORT
Download a free copy of the full report at: http://www.ncd.gov/publications/2013/10242013

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

November 7, 2013

We Need to Hear Your Ideas!

Each month or so, the SDS Network holds a Coffee Break. We need to know what topics we should schedule. Is there a particular person you'd like us to invite as a special guest? Respond to the discussion forum with your ideas, questions, etc., or respond to a short surveyto tell us what you think.

Coffee Breaks are informal, livediscussions (chats) on the Network, open to all members. It is not a presentation.They are usually scheduled on the third Wednesday of the month, from 8:30-9:00 am (dates/times may vary - check the schedule).

Each Coffee Break has a different theme -participants will be asked to share their thoughts, questions, ideas and challenges on the subject. You are also welcome to ask questions or share information about anything that relates to SDS and self-determination..

It Only Takes "Five"

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the SDS Network:

• Join the Conversation: Senator Schumer from New York is proposing that the Justice Dept. provide tracking devices for individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities in case they go missing. Is that a good idea? Or does it infringe on their personal rights? What do you think?

• Share your ideas: Julie is still wondering about what questions you ask when hiring a support person or provider agency. Tell her what you think! Give her some ideas!!

• Get Involved: The US Senate is reconsidering ratification of the UN Disability Rights Treaty (it was defeated in December 2012). Find out more about the Treaty and how you can share you opinion with your senators.

• Learn about Resources:Howard Mandeville and Movin' Out recently won the Bridge-Builder Award from the Isthmus in Madison. Learn more about this fabulous resource.

Join Us for a Coffee Break

Join us and share your questions, as well as your ideas and experiences.There is no registration fee to participate, but you do need to be a Network member and RSVPs are welcome!

Using Technology to Stay Safe & Independent: November 20, 2013, 8:30-9:00 CST

Technology can be a valuable tool when you are trying to live independently but have family & friends who are concerned about your safety. But you may not be aware of what options are available or how to access them. This is your opportunity to ask about what options are available, how to pay for them, how they work, etc.

If you already use technology to be independent, join the Coffee Break to share your story - how has technology helped you stay safe and independent in your own home.

Join our special guest, Chris Patterson from Night Owl Support Systems as we talk about technology.

Living in Your Own Home: December 18, 2013, 8:30-9:00 CST

Are you thinking about moving into your own home but aren't sure where to start? Maybe you already have your own place and have some ideas to share with Network members about what helped get there. Or you just want to hear about the possible options to explore for the person you support. Join special guest, Howard Mandeville, from Movin' Out, as we talk about a home of your own.

Welcome New Members

Stop by to welcome our newest members.

• She's an the director of IBA Resourcesin the Wausau area.
• He works with Night Owland will be our special guest for the Nov. 20th Coffee Break.
• She'sa parent and special ed teacher, with questions about Family Care.

Do you know someone who should join the SDS Network? Spread the word and invite friends, families and other interested folks!

Upcoming Events

Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the SDS Network:

• Coffee Break: Using Technology to Stay Safe & Independent, Nov 20th, Online Chat
• SDS Network Coffee Break: Living in Your Own Home, Dec18th. Online Chat.
• And many more!

Post your event on the SDS Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Contact Deb Wisniewski at scgwis@gmail.com

Thanks to the sponsors of the SDS Network!