News
These 51 State Fact Sheets focus on Medicaid enrollees ages 50 and older in every state and the District of Columbia. Medicaid program dollars have been shown to provide stability in the health care system, particularly in lowering rates of rural hospital closures.
URBAN INSTITUDE: Sweeping HHS Cuts Will Put Disabled and Older Americans’ Right to Live in Their Communities at Risk
By SD Network, 2025-04-13
Meals on Wheels, centers for independent living, and other critical programs for seniors and disabled people across the US are now at risk, as the US Department of Health and Human Services leaders dismantle the small agency that coordinates federal policy on aging and disability.
A major home furnishings retailer is introducing a new line of products designed to make life easier for people with disabilities. Ikea said this month that it is rolling out a collection of accessible items for the home. The line known as Bäsingen includes a shower chair, two different step stools and a handful of bathroom accessories.
Self-Determination Network News:
April 2025
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Federal Fallout Update
Here is the recording from the latest webinar that the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities puts on about what's happening with Medicaid, Social Security, and beyond. Your relentless advocacy is making a difference, but we need to keep it up. Keep calling legislators, making visits, writing letters, etc... We need to keep these issues visible!
Call for Presenters for the 2025 Self-Determination Conference
Are you interested in presenting at the 2025 Self-Determination Conference? The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is seeking session proposals for Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025. This year’s theme: Self-Determination by Design: Your Life, Your Way will help people with disabilities lead more Self-Determined lives by offering tools to plan the life they want to live in the communities they choose! Proposals are due May 9th. Learn more and submit a proposal!
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 April, we're catching up with Jason. This amazing self-advocate has played a pivotal role in turning one of Wisconsin’s state disability councils around over the last couple of years. He also has enjoyed helping family members navigate and advocate for what supports they need to be successful. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to catch up with Jason.
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:
- Fear of Losing Protections: An ongoing lawsuit challenges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which legally mandates access and accommodations across wide swaths of the public. Learn what losing protections would mean for millions of people.
- Changes to the Social Security Administration: Recently proposed changes to the Social Security Administration have advocates worried. Read about what these changes entail.
- Five Key Facts about Medicaid Integrity: Program integrity efforts work to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse, to increase program transparency and accountability, and to recover improperly used funds. Learn what these key things do to ensure integrity.
- Movie Star: In Wisconsin and beyond, Cindy Bentley is known as an incredible disability self-advocate. Learn about her new short film which highlights her story of determination and resilience.
- Risk of Work Requirements: Potential work requirements for people on Medicaid would further complicate things for people with disabilities. Find out why.
- Dismantling of the Administration for Community Living: Recently, the Trump administration announced the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living which oversees a wide range of services. Read about what what this could mean for people with disabilities.
- Proposed Improved Accessibility for 911 Networks: The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) proposing improvements to ensure the resiliency, reliability, interoperability, and accessibility of Next Generation 911 (NG911) networks Learn what these improvements will do.
- Voter Barriers Continue: Voting barriers for people with disabilities in Wisconsin continue. Read about how a lawsuit continues in the courts that would allow people with disabilities to use an electronic ballot to vote.
- REAL ID: When enforcement of the REAL ID Act begins May 7, 2025, the regular Wisconsin driver license or ID will no longer be accepted identification for domestic air travel or to enter a federal building or military base. Find out more about this new rule.
- Concerns over ACL Dismantling: Nearly half of staff at the Administration for Community Living have been terminated as part of broader Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) layoffs, disrupting funding distribution for disability programs nationwide Find out why advocates are concerned.
- Disrupting the Department of Education: The Education Department enforces disability rights in schools by distributing Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and investigating discrimination complaints. Learn why advocates are concerned with Trump transferring the responsibilities to Health and Human Services.
- Changing Course on Social Security Administration Requirements: The Trump administration is backing off the in-person requirements it announced for people needing services at Social Security Administration. Learn what made them change course.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Self-Direction for the Long Haul: April 16th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Behind the Curtain: Understanding State Administration of Self-Direction: April 23rd, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- People with Disabilities Love Self-Direction, But How Do Waiver Participants and Administrators Plan for the Future?: April 30th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Outdoor Dining, Retail, and Community Spaces: May 1st, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- Circles of Life Conference 2025: May 8th & 9th, Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
- Employment First Conference: May 19th & 20th, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
- National Symposium on Quality Employment 2025: May 20th-22nd, Memorial Union, Madison WI
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.
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: Trump administration changes course on in-person requirements for Social Security
By SD Network, 2025-04-11
The Trump administration is backing off the in-person requirements it announced for people needing services at Social Security Administration. This requirement was originally created in efforts to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The administration claims that the pullback is due to new technology being in place, but many feel it's due to pushback from advocates.
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: New Social Security rules will create hurdles for millions of seniors, report finds
By SD Network, 2025-04-09
Changes to the Social Security Administration will create more hurdles for seniors and people with disabilities. People will no longer be able to call Social Security to apply or make any changes to their account. Instead, they will have to either travel to a Social Security office (which could be a 45 mile trip for some people) or do it online. These imposed changes are meant to " further safeguard Social Security records and benefits against fraudulent activity."
We last shined the spotlight on you in 2015. Can you briefly reintroduce yourself and share a little bit of your story?
Jason Endres lives in Eau Claire with his wife Julie and their service dog Pinky Jellybean. He shares that he’s a self-advocate for himself, but he truly advocates for others that cannot speak for themselves.
What kinds of advocacy projects are you involved with these days?
Right now, like everyone, Jason is advocating for Medicaid not to be dismantled. “Losing just one part of Medicaid will harmful for many people in the country,” he says.
Statewide, Jason has been working with the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin. He explains that when he was appointed to be on the Council, they were a real mess and was in jeopardy of losing money from the federal government for not sending in reports and not having the right number of people on Council. “I helped with turning the council around and made many changes, so when I have to leave the Council in July, I feel I did my part,” he tells us.
Tell me some good news – what’s the most exciting happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination
It’s really hard for Jason to think of exciting news for himself—especially in the political climate we are in right now—but, if he had to choose one, it’s helping his sister find resources for his nephew, Nick. He explains that Nick was having a real hard time at school, so he helped him get tested for Autism. It turns out that his nephew was diagnosed when he was 13 years old. “So, we are all learning what’s best for Nick,” he says.
What resource can you share with us (website or article)? Why is it useful?
A resource Jason often recommends to people is the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin website. He explains that the Council does do a great deal of collaborating between the eight Independent Living Centers in Wisconsin. They are always looking for new board members, so if you are interested in finding out more details, he suggests going to their website.
What would be your dream vacation?
Jason has two dream vacations. The first one is going to Australia, and the second is going Hawaii.
***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.
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: How the Education Department helps students with disabilities get an education
By SD Network, 2025-04-07
The Education Department enforces disability rights in schools by distributing Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and investigating discrimination complaints. Trump plans to transfer these responsibilities to Health and Human Services (HHS), raising concerns about separating special education from general education. Recent layoffs have already reduced enforcement capacity for disability rights violations.