News
Review a new annual snapshot of the direct care workforce, including its demographics, occupational roles, job quality challenges, and projected job openings. The report includes detailed overviews of three segments of this workforce: home care workers, residential care aides, and nursing assistants in nursing homes.
19th NEWS: Marriage could mean losing life-saving benefits for people with disabilities. So they’re protesting.
By SD Network, 2023-09-16
Disability advocates are staging a mass commitment ceremony on the National Mall in an effort to raise awareness about marriage penalties. Currently, if someone who is receiving disability benefits gets married, their benefits significantly decrease or sometimes the person loses them. If both persons in the relationship receive benefits, the couple's benefits get significantly cut it they choose to legally marry.
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The ability to participate in our democracy by voting in elections is a foundational right of citizenship that we cherish as Americans. No adult should be denied this right because of their age or ability. This principle is clearly reflected in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting. ACL and the disability and aging networks are working together to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities can exercise their right to vote. ACL's programs provide a variety of resources, including information and education, supportive services and legal assistance. They also work with their states and communities to improve access to the voting process. This includes a number of grants funded through the Help America Vote Act. As Disability Voting Rights Week comes to a close, we wanted to share ACL’s recently updated voting resource "hub." This page includes a variety of resources to support disabled people and older adults in exercising their right to vote. |
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ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Input Needed on Updating NIH Mission Statement
By SD Network, 2023-09-14
- Current mission statement: “To seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.”
- Proposed revised mission statement: “To seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to optimize health and prevent or reduce illness for all people.”
- Feedback on whether the proposed new mission statement reflects the goals and objectives as outlined in the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025.
- Suggestions for specific language that could be added to the proposed mission statement and why.
- Feedback on any specific language that could be removed from the proposed mission statement and why.
All comments must be submitted electronically on the submission website. Responses must be received by November 24, 2023.
Please direct any questions to RFIMissionStatement@nih.gov.
HEALTH AFFAIRS: How Medicaid Home And Community Based Services And Supports Can Chart Pathways To Independence
By SD Network, 2023-09-10
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. Indeed, since 1981 federal waivers offered states the option of providing home and community based services (HCBS) as an alternative to institutional care. As shown in this report, efforts have been successful, with nearly 60% of all LTSS spending now being on HCBS.
WKOW.COM: 'Patients want to be at home': UW Health launches home-based care program
By SD Network, 2023-09-10
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. They get to eat their favorite foods, sleep in their own beds, spend time with loved ones and pets, and stay more active. Though the program only serves four patients at a time, it may expand to help more than 300 patients a year by 2024.
Self-Determination Network News:
September 2023
Connect | Share |Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org
Registration Closes Friday!
Have you registered for the 2023 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference yet? It will be held October 16th-18th. Join us in-person at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells or virtually for this year’s conference. The theme is Be Curious: Explore the Possibilities. Check out the brochure and website for more information. Registration closes this Friday September 15th. Register today!
National Voter Registration Day
| Join the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition on the high seas of civic engagement for an unforgettable virtual event on National Voter Registration Day (which also happens to be National Talk Like a Pirate Day)! Mark your calendars for 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 19 and prepare to embark on an adventure that will empower you to seize your freedom to vote. We can promise fun and information, but we can't promise that we'll slow down on the pirate puns! Register here! |
| What to Expect: |
| Stories on the importance of voting |
| Answers to your voter registration questions |
| Create and share fun content about voter registration |
| Sessions to text friends with info |
| Opportunities to win merch and prizes |
| For more information, check out the event page on Facebook. |
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 Brandon. This camera enthusiast is a freelance content creator and also works as a communications assistant at a local television station. He’s determined not to let people tell him what he can and cannot do. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Brandon.
Who should we shine the spotlight on next?
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:
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:
- Web and Mobile App Accessibility: The Department of Justice has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act that aims to improve web and mobile apps access for people with disabilities. Public comments on this rule are due October 4th.
- Amtrak Improving Accessibility: Amtrak is seeking approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to make their new, intercity trains more accessible than current regulations mandate. Learn about what they're planning to do.
- Training for Family Caregivers: A new proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses this often-lamented failure to support family, friends and neighbors who care for frail, ill and disabled older adults. Read about what this would include.
- Adaptive Product Line: Walmart is introducing a new adaptive product line. Find out what types of products it includes.
- HCBS Webpage: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has created a new webpage about home and community-based services. It has results and plans from the grantees. Check it out.
- Food Truck Employs People of All Abilities: The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County has launched a new accessible food truck with Grounded Cafe to offer an opportunity for people of every ability to get involved with food service. Read about some of the accommodations the truck has.
- ADA Transition Plan: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has published its 2023 Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan. There is a public comment period open through Wednesday, September 27th.
- Industries Hiring: It's widely known that people with disabilities are significantly less likely to get a job than the general population. However, the new tight job market has created new opportunities for people with disabilities. Find out what industries are hiring people with disabilities.
- ABLE Accounts: Wisconsin is currently the only state that doesn't have an ABLE program, which provides a tax-free savings account for people with disabilities. Read about a new bill that would a new bill that would allow Wisconsin to create an ABLE program.
- Family Care Concerns: Advocates are worried after two for-profit insurance companies are on track to take over the Family Care. Learn why there's such concern.
- Key Issues in 2024 Election: There's a presidential election coming up in 2024, and, while it seems a little early to think about, there are some key issues voters with disabilities will be raising. Learn what some of the hot issues will be.
- Self Identification Debate: Job seekers who have disabilities often need to decide whether or not to disclose they have some challenges. Read about some of the pros and cons of self Identification during the employment process.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: Promoting Person-Centered Communication And Care Coordination: September 13th, 11a.m. to 12p.m., Virtual
- National Voter Registration Day: September 19th, 6p.m., Virtual
- 2023 K.I.T.E. Conference: September 23rd, 9a.m. to 2p.m., Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton WI
- 2023 Self-Determination Conference: October 16th-18th, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI or Virtual
- Conference On Employment Of Transition-Age Youth With Disabilities: November 1st-2nd, 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.
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL: 6 things to know about changes to a Wisconsin program for the elderly and disabled, and why advocates are worried
By SD Network, 2023-09-07
There continues to be growing concerns over Family Care as two large for profit insurance companies buy it out. State officials say that nothing will change but advocates think otherwise. They worry about care hours being cut and services being denied to save money.