This is a great article inDisability Scoopwritten by Michelle Diament about the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the White House. President Obama made some remarks about how much more work needs to be done. There are some excellent quotes in this article.

Obama: ADA Fight Is Not Over

By Michelle Diament

In marking aquarter century since the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act became law, President Barack Obama said much more work is yet to be done.

Obama spoke Monday before a packed house in the East Room of the White House about the impact of the ADA at an event just days ahead of the laws 25th anniversary, which will occur Sunday.

Thanks to the ADA, the places that comprise our shared American life schools, workplaces, movie theaters, courthouses, buses, baseball stadiums, national parks they truly belong to everyone, the president told the crowd, which included former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, former U.S. Rep. Tony Coelho and other leaders responsible for making the ADA a reality.

Despite the progress, however, Obama said more work is needed to ensure equality, specifically in regard to areas like employment where people with disabilities continue to lag.

Now, days like today are a celebration of our history. But theyre also a chance to rededicate ourselves to the future to address the injustices that still linger, to remove the barriers that remain, Obama said. We all know too many people with disabilities are still unemployed even though they can work, even though they want to work, even though they have so much to contribute.

The president committed to continue working on disability rights for the duration of his time in office and beyond.

In addition to the White House ceremony Monday, events honoring the anniversary of the civil rights law are planned this week at a variety of government agencies in the nations capital and at the Smithsonian Institution.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/07/21/obama-ada-fight-is-not-over/20450/

Meet Tricia Thompson. As a former special education teacher and a current IRIS consultant, Tricia full-heartedly believes in self-determination and the power of making ones own choices. She strives to encourage people to make their own decisions and to take chances in life. Shes an extremely positive person and we are so fortunate to have her on the Self-Determination Network. Learn more about Tricia in this months Member Spotlight.

How are you involved with self-directed supports and self-determination? Why did you join the SDNetwork?'

I joined the SD network after learning about a "Coffee Break" that involved a discussion regarding the recent proposed state budget and thelong term care proposed changes. As with everything in life, I have found I learn a lot from the questions and concerns other people have. Currently, I work as a long term care consultant with IRIS. Believing in self-determination is in my blood. As the eldest of nine children I quickly learned that I had to take charge of my own life. I grew up making my own choices. Sometimes these choices resulted in growth and sometimes.......well.......I learned from mymistakes. I never appreciated the value of being able to succeed and fail from my own choices until I started working as a special education teacher in the central city of Milwaukee. The families I worked with who felt like they were a part of the decision making regarding their children, were also the families who took more ownership of their responsibility to those decisions. They felt like their opinion was whatmattered and would not allow anyone else or a system determine what they felt was right for their child with a disability. In effect, their ability to embrace self-determination in their own life also helped their own children grow up with the same beliefs. It was a pattern of decision makingthat was created basedon empowerment and not hopelessness. I strongly believe that self-determination is within all of us and can be temporarilysilenced or empowered. As a consultant, I strive to encourage individuals to make their own decisions about their own life in a way they feel they can and want to. I also speak about the importance of taking chances and that it's ok if they try something and fail. It's what makes us human.

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

Good News.....ah yes.....how I love to think about good news these days more than ever. Many of the people I have been working with have been with me the entire four years I have worked as a consultant. The amount of time we have worked together is significant because we have built a very trusting relationship. They trust I have their best interest at heart and know I will follow through with what I say I am going to. For some, this is the first experience they have had with a "system" of supports that has resulted in positive outcomes and experience with a "case manager." So, even when there are multiple changes happening all at once, they are able to trust that I willcontinueto do the best I can for them given the unique circumstances.

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?

The best tip or resource I can offer to those who want to self-direct their resources, is to make a connection with one of the many great advocacy groups, such as the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD). With the explosion of group specific Facebook pages, it is possible for anyone to reach out to someone anywhere in the world. These pages offer the opportunity tolearn from each other and share resources as well as provide support and direction on every issue imaginable.

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

Four years ago I started working in my current role. Five monthsafter I started running, I signed up for my first 5K and then my second race one month later was a 10K. When it comes down to it, I despise running. Truly. What I love is the feeling of success afterwards and the stress relief that follows. Running has become my coping method for dealing with the stress in my life. Some days there isn't enough road for me to cover while other days a quick two mile run is enough to help me refocus. My point with all of this is that self-care is not just about taking a class on how to care for yourself. Self-care shouldmeanacceptingthat I have to define for myself what I need most and to hold myself accountable to doing something for me. Some days I am motivated and some days I want to just curl up on the couch and pretend reality doesn't exist. Some days I am only able to find the time to breath in and out five deep breaths in silence before reality comes screaming. Some days though I run until my legs won't go any further. When there is so much in life these days that I have no control over and changes happen no matter what I think or believe, it is important that I always remember I have the choice to breath in and out slowly for five breathsor go for a run.

What's your dream vacation?

My dream vacation has already happened. In 2010, I was chosen to accompany Oprah and 300friends to Australia for a 10 day all-expense paid trip. While there I stayed in five start resorts, was treated like royalty and ate food I couldn't pronounce. Prior to that trip I had never been out of the country. My only vacation as a child was when our family was moving from one state to another.I don't know honestly how I can top that trip because it was so completely unrealistic in every imaginable way possible. I guess what I will say is that the vacations I take with my family are very special to me because I am able to show my children and the brother I adopted a world I wish I could have experienced when I was a child. Our vacations together are fun and help us remember what really is important in this life. I need to mention, though, that I am not and will never be a fan of camping or long car rides and I am pretty sure my family wanted to leave me on the side of the road when we all went to Yellowstone several years ago.

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.

Connect|Share|Learn|

http://sdnetworkwi.org/

State Budget Update

As most of you have heard, Governor Walker signed the budget on July 12th, 2015. The budget has lots of changes to Wisconsins Long-Term Care programs. Weve added several informational links on ourLearn about the Budget page. After our Coffee Break on Wednesday, we'll start a discussion on the topic and we encourage you to join in and share your questions and thoughts. We'll be sure to send out a link to it when it when it's posted.

Join us for another Coffee Break!

Coffee Break: Wisconsin's State Budget and the Future of Long-Term Care Programs: Wednesday July 22^ndfrom 9:30am to 10am

Wisconsin's state budget has been passed by the legislature and Governor Walker has signed it into law. In the process, Gov. Walker made numerous line-item vetoes.

So what changes to the long-term care system are inthe new state budget? How will theyaffect you and the people you care about? Will you still be able to self-direct your services? Is IRIS going to disappear? What will happen to Family Care and the ADRCs?

Join us for a Coffee Break with Lynn Breedlove, board president of InControl Wisconsin and outspoken advocate for self-determination, as we talk about what we know (and don't know) about the future of the long-term care system in Wisconsin. Bring your questions, comments, etc. as our Coffee Breaks are an opportunity to talk with each other about topics we care about.

Before the Coffee Break, you may want to check out thisFAQ from the Survival Coalition about the State Budget and long-term care. Those links can be found on ourBudget page.

The Coffee Break is a live discussion (written 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.

Take our One-Minute Poll

In our last one-minute poll, we asked what their favorite summer activities were. 30% of people said they enjoy going to festivals and about 17% enjoy going to sporting events. 20% of people like going swimming and about 27% enjoy having cookouts.

This month were asking how you feel about the future of Long-Term Care in Wisconsin now that the budget is passed. Take ourone-minute pollnow!

It Only Takes "Five"

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

• Pauls Dream: Read this incredibly inspiring story written by Jim Wahner about a quadriplegic from Milwaukee who had powerful impact on the movement for disability rights and self-determination in Wisconsin in the 1970s.
• Give your Feedback: The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is asking for your input while developing their next five year plan.
• Let Your Voice be Heard: Heres a chance to voice your opinions and concerns about the future of Managed Care in Wisconsin.
• Register Now: Registration is now open for this years Self-Determination Conference.
• Medicaid Incentives: Read about a new bill that wouldprovide financial incentives to states for helping people with disabilities live and work in the community.
• ABLE Act Rules: Learn about the rules being proposed for the ABLE Act.
• Service Animal Resource: This is a great resource about the ADAs service animal provisions.
• Great News: An article about how the ABLE Act was recently signed into law in Wisconsin.
• Post news or start a discussion: It's easy to do and a great way to share information and network with others!

Stacys Journal

This month Stacy discusses some of her challenges and experiences whentravelling with a disability. We encourage you to ask her questions and/or share your experiences as well.

New Members

Stop by to welcomeour newest members:

• Thisfatherhas been involved in supporting people with disabilities for over 30 years.
• Shes a greatadvocatefor others.
• Shes anIRIS participantwho wants to stay informed about the changes.
• Thisparentwants to advocate for self-determination.
• Shespart of IRIS.
• Sheworks for a nonprofitthat serves adults with disabilities.
• Thismothercares about issues impacting lives of people with disabilities.
• Shes veryconcerned about the future of IRIS.
• Shes aBenefits Specialist.
• Thishusbandis a caregiver for his wife.
• This person is anEmployment Services Director.
• She hassupported people with disabilitiesfor the last 19 years.
• She is involved in thelong-term care and employment field.
• Shes thedirectorof a vocational rehabilitation program.
• He is theWorkforce Development Managerat a Easter Seals.
• Shes asocial workerwho works with adults with disabilities.
• Thismotheris a caregiver to her adult son.
• This person isconcerned about the changes to IRIS.
• Thisparentis an advocate for her adult child.
• Thisguardianwants to better understand the changes that may affect their lives.
• Heworkswith individuals with disabilities.
• Thisgraduate studenthopes he can play a vital role in preserving IRIS.
• Shes anIRIS Consultant Supervisor.
• Sheworks for LSSand wants to learn more about self-determination.
• Thisteacher and parentis very concerned about the state budget.
• She has been a mental health consumeradvocatefor ten years.
• Thismotherwants to advocate for her daughter.
• She ispassionateabout long-term care for people with disabilities.
  
• He has beenworkingin long-term care since 1977 and is very concerned with where Wisconsin is headed.
• Shes thedirectorof an Independent Living Center.

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:

• ADA Free Pontoon Boat Rides on Madison Lakes: June 14^thto August 16^th, Tenney Park, Madison WI
• Audio Conference: ADA Anniversary Update: 25 Years Later: July 21^st, 1pm to 2:30pm, Online
• Coffee Break: Wisconsin's State Budget and the Future of Long-Term Care Programs:July 22nd, 9:30am to 10am,SD Network Chat Room
• Milwaukee Brewers vs Cleveland: July 22^nd, 1pm, Miller Park, Milwaukee WI
• Adaptive Sports and Recreation Expo: July 25^th, 9am to 2pm, Nathan Hale High School, West Allis WI
• 3rd Annual Disability Pride Festival: July 25^th, 12pm to 5pm, Brittingham Park, Madison WI
• State-wide Institute on Best Practices in Inclusive Education 2015:July 27^thto 29^th, Westwood Conference Center, Wausau WI
• Cogworld Conference: July 28^th, 8am to 12pm, Holy Wisdom Retreat Center, Middleton WI
• Celebrate Wisconsin's ABLE Act Creation: August 10^th, 10am, Options for Independent Living, Green Bay WI
• Medicaid Managed Care Forum: August 31^st, 9am to 4pm, State Capitol, Madison WI
• Self-Determination Conference: November 9^thto 11^th, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• Across the Lifespan Conference: December 3^rdto 4^th, Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• Wisconsin Transition Conference: February 18^th to 19^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.

Great news on theNational Disability Institutewebsite stating that Governor Walker signed the ABLE Act into law on July 12th.

Wisconsin Becomes Latest ABLE State

On July 12, Governor Scott Walker signed into lawSenate Bill 21, the Wisconsin State Budget. The ABLE Act was included as a provision to the underlying bill.

The ABLE Act will allow certain individuals with disabilities and their families the opportunity to contribute to a tax-exempt savings account that can be used for maintaining health, independence and quality of life. As passed, the ABLE Act requires each state to independently establish, implement or contract with other states on the availability of ABLE accounts.

National Disability Institute (NDI) has long championed the ABLE Act as a critical strategy to providing a pathway to a better economic future for all people with disabilities. As the nations first nonprofit dedicated to improving the financial health and future of all people with disabilities, the organization has extensively documented and called attention to the daily reality and extra expenses associated with living with a disability, and the challenges of navigating the complex web of government rules to maintain public benefits eligibility.

NDI applauds the Wisconsin State Legislature and Governor Walker for their support of the ABLE Act. We look forward to working with other states on crafting and passing similar legislation.

For the latest updates on the status of state ABLE legislation,please visit National Down Syndrome Society's ABLE State Bills webpage. To learn more about the ABLE Act,please visit NDIs ABLE Act webpage.

Source:http://www.realeconomicimpact.org/news/?id=1519

The Department of Justice has published a new 9-page ADA technical assistance document,http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA|http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PDF, to further assist covered entities and people with disabilities to understand how the ADAs service animal provisions apply to them. The document answers questions that continue to be asked since the publication of the Departments 2011 document,http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revised ADA Requirements: Service Animals.

***Thanks to the Great Lakes ADA Center for this information.

Another interesting article inDisability Scoopwritten by Michelle Diament about the new rules the IRS is proposing for the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act. She explains some of the proposed guidelines and implications.

IRS Proposes Rules For New ABLE Accounts

By Michelle Diament

Six months after a federal lawpavedthe way for tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities, officials are providing details on how they expect the new program to operate.

In aproposed ruleissued Monday, the Internal Revenue Service unveiled guidelines for the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act. The federal law is designed to allow people with disabilities to save money without risking their government benefits.

The proposal offers specifics for the first time on how the new accounts should function and clarifies what types of expenses money saved in an ABLE account could be used for.

Advocates say theyre pleased that the IRS took a lenient view in determining what counts as qualified disability expenses under the law. Though the ABLE Act mandates that money can be used for specific purposes including transportation, housing and education, the law also allows for other expenses and it is up to regulators to determine what should qualify.

The Treasury Department and the IRS conclude that the term qualified disability expenses should be broadly construed to permit the inclusion of basic living expenses and should not be limited to expenses for items for which there is a medical necessity or which provide no benefits to others in addition to the benefit to the eligible individual, the proposal states.

The view that expenses must merely offer a quality of life benefit for a person with a disability rather than be of medical merit is significant, said Heather Sachs, vice president of advocacy and public policy at the National Down Syndrome Society.

Were glad to see that a person with a disability would not have to justify the purchase of an iPhone or something similar as a medical expense, Sachs said.

Other details within the proposal are causing concern, however. The reporting and oversight requirements outlined go beyond those governing 529 college savings plans that the ABLE accounts were modeled on and could make the disability savings vehicles onerous to administer or utilize, advocates and state officials say.

As I read the proposed regulations, every time individuals with disabilities want to spend even a single dollar of their money, from their own ABLE accounts, they have to file paperwork with the state demonstrating that each is a qualified disability expense,' said Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg. This is a slap in the face of Americans with disabilities, is an unreasonable and unnecessary burden on them, and will create administrative burdens that will increase the costs qualified individuals will need to pay to use the program.

The proposed rules will be up for public comment for 90 days before the IRS issues final regulations.

In the meantime, several states are working to make the ABLE Act a reality for their residents. Despite the federal law, each state must put their own regulations in place before making the accounts available.

Currently, the ABLE Act has been enacted in 22 states, according to the National Down Syndrome Society. Each of these states, however, is still working out details related to administering the program.

Sachs said she expects that states will likely wait for the final IRS rules to be issued before allowing financial institutions to begin offering ABLE accounts.

Source:http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/06/23/irs-proposes-rules-able/20401/

This is an interesting article inDisability Scoopwritten by Michelle Diament about how a bipartisan group of senators who are proposing a bill which wouldprovide financial incentives to states for helping people with disabilities live and work in the community. Under the bill, a five-year program would be established in 10 states. It will be interesting to see what comes of this.

Under Bill, Medicaid Would Incentivize Community-Based Options

By Michelle Diament

A bipartisan group of senators is looking to provide financial incentives to states for helping people with disabilities live and work in the community.

The lawmakers want to establish a new Medicaid demonstration program that would offer financial bonuses to states for encouraging community-based outcomes. Under a bill introduced this week, a five-year program would be established in 10 states.

States have financial disincentives to do more under the current system. This bill would try something different, said the measures chief sponsor, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. For participating states, it would change the incentives and help states do what theyd really like to do to better serve individuals with disabilities.

Specifically, the legislation known as the Transition to Independence Act would offer bonus payments to participating states for meeting certain benchmarks. Payments would be tied to increasing integrated employment and decreasing jobs paying subminimum wage, those located in segregated settings and day habilitation placements for individuals with disabilities receiving Medicaid-funded home or community-based services.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.

It has support from a wide range of disability advocacy groups including the American Association of People with Disabilities, the American Network of Community Options and Resources, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, the National Down Syndrome Congress and Autism Speaks.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/06/19/under-bill-incentivize/20397/