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Thank You to Our New NetworkSponsors!

We would like to thank Innovative Services, Inc. and LinkEd for becoming our newest sponsors of the Self-Determination Network. The Network would not exist without its fabulous sponsors, who provide in-kind and financial support.To learn about how you can become a Network Sponsor, contactDeb Wisniewski.

Aging Empowerment Conference

Join InControl Wisconsin and other sponsors on June 1^stfor a one-day conference exploring self-determination and empowerment in aging at the Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. This statewide event will examine new approaches to providing support to older adults that encourage autonomy and choice.

The keynote address entitled, Self-Determination: Past, Present, & Future will be given by Dr. Kevin Manhoney. Dr. Mahoney, Professor of Social Work at Boston College and Founding Director of the National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services, will share a national perspective on the expansion of self-determination in long-term care. To prepare for the future, we need to understand the past and achievements that bring us here today. What can we learn from the evidence of success that supports this model of service delivery as we look toward the future? This keynote will help us understand the challenges and opportunities we may face in continuing to advance self-determination.

Stay tuned for registration information!

Check out this months Member Spotlight

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.

For this month, we shine the Spotlight on April Nutter. This great parent believes that self-directing your supports can make a world of difference. Stop by this monthsMember Spotlightand get to know April!

Who should we shine the Spotlight on next?

Stay informed about the latest on the Budget Proposal

We continue to keep theBudget Proposal pagewith the latest information. On theLearn pagewe just added links to informational hearings that were held at the capitol about Long-Term Care. Now is the critical time totake action! Let your voice be heard!

The Results are In!

We asked people what they are doing about the proposed changes to IRIS and Family Care. Nearly 50% of people said that theyre sharing their story/thoughts with the Governors office and/or their legislators. Over 20% of people attended Disability Advocacy Day, budget training workshops, and/or public hearings. Nearly 20% of people also reported that theyre talking to people about the changes and/or reading about them. About 9% of people said that they are talking to local media and/or writing letters to newspapers about the proposed changes. Now, we want to know which programs you use to self-direct. Take our newone-minute poll.

Join us for another Coffee Break!

• Coffee Break: An Update on Wisconsins State Budget Proposal: Thursday, May 6th, 2015, 9:00a.m. to 9:30a.m. CST

Family Care. IRIS. SeniorCare. ADRCs. Personal Care...

Wisconsin Governor's Budget Proposal is currently in the hands of the Joint Finance Committee. It includes major changes to the Long-Term Care system in Wisconsin.

So what's in the budget? What's not? How will it affect your life or the life of people you care about? What can you do about the changes being proposed?

Join our special guest,Lynn Breedlove, to ask questions, share your thoughts andlearn more about the budget proposal. Lynn is the board president for InControl Wisconsin and a outspoken advocate for self-determination.

The Coffee Break is a live discussion (chat) on the Network, open to all members. Each Coffee Break has a different theme - participants will be asked to share their thoughts, questions, ideas and challenges on the subject.

You can join the discussion (chat) any time during the Coffee Break. Just sign in on the SD Network during the time you want to participate on the Network and then go to the Chat Room.

There's no need to register - however, it would help if you would RSVP so we have some idea if you will be joining us.

Stacys Journal

Network Manager, Stacy Ellingen, continues to share some of her personal experiences with us. This month she shares herJourney to Employmentwith us. We encourage you to ask her questions and/or share your experiences as well.

It Only Takes "Five"

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

• Take a Survey about the ADA: The ADA Wisconsin Partnership posted a survey people can take about the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Neat Resource: The ADA Wisconsin Partnership posted a really neat resource about an online newsletter regarding the ADA. Check it out!
• Accessible City: This is a great article about how Madison is becoming more accessible for people with disabilities.
• ABLE Act: An article about how the ABLE Act is moving forward in some states.
• Questionable SSI Payments: This is an interesting article about how there were billions of dollars of questionable SSI payments in 2014.
• Call for Exhibitors: The Across the Lifespan Conference is looking for exhibitors for their 2015 conference. Find out how to get involved today!
• Call for Proposals: The Across the Lifespan Conference is looking for presenters for their 2015 conference. Find out how to get involved today!
• Caregiver Pay: An interesting article about the push to give in-home caregivers pay protections.
• Service Animal Fraud: This is a blog about how service animal fraud is on the rise and whats being done to prevent it.
• Free Bus Rides: Find out which Wisconsin county is offering free bus rides to people with disabilities.
• Youth Leadership Forum: The Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is now accepting applications for 2015. The deadline is May 11^th.
• Post news or start a discussion: It's easy to do and a great way to share information and network with others!

New Members

Stop by to welcomeournewest members

• Sheworksfor a company whose mission revolves around self-determination.
• This person iscommitted to self-determination.
• Hes a smallbusiness ownerwho is very interested in advocacy.
• Thisguardianis very upset about what the government is trying to do with self-directed support programs.
• She is theDirector of Vocational Serviceswith Innovative Services, Inc.
• This person has a ton of experienceworking with people with disabilities.
• Hespassionate about self-determination.

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

Upcoming Events

Here's a sample ofupcoming eventslisted on the Self-Determination Network:

• WI FACETS Spring Self-Advocacy Workshop: Self-Advocate Spotlight: April 28^th, 6pm to 8pm, WI FACETS, Milwaukee WI
• Circles of Life Conference 2015; April 30^thto May 1^st, Holiday Inn Convention Center, Stevens Point WI
• Coffee Break: An Update on Wisconsins State Budget Proposal: May 6^th, 9am to 9:30am,SD Network Chat Room
• The National ADA Symposium: May 10^thto 13^th, National Center for Civil & Human Rights, Atlanta GA
• Living a Self-Determined Life Conference: June 1^stto 2^nd, Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• ADA Free Pontoon Boat Rides on Madison Lakes: June 14^thto August 16^th, Tenney Park, Madison WI
• ADA Legacy Bus Tour: June 25^th, 11am to 4pm, State Capitol, Madison WI
• State-wide Institute on Best Practices in Inclusive Education 2015:July 27^thto 29^th, Westwood Conference Center, Wausau WI
• 3rd Annual Disability Pride Festival: July 25^th, 12pm to 5pm, Brittingham Park, Madison WI
• Self-Determination Conference: November 9^thto 11^th, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI

Post your eventon the Self-Determination Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions? ContactStacy Ellingen.

The Self-Determination Network is powered by In Control Wisconsin and supported financially by ourmembersandSponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you! Find out how you can help support the Network.

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.