News
HOME CARE MAGAZINE: Report Highlights Necessity of Disability Services, Impact of Potential Cuts
By SD Network, 2025-03-30
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and ANCOR released the inaugural Case for Inclusion Policy Blueprint for Sustainable Services. The report builds on findings in the latest Case for Inclusion Data Snapshot released in October 2024 and details critical recommendations for policymakers to strengthen community-based services for people with IDD.
Read more
CBSNEWS: Many people with disabilities risk losing their Medicaid if they work too much
By SD Network, 2025-03-30
Potential work requirements for people on Medicaid would just complicate things more for people with disabilities. Disability rights advocates say income and asset caps for Medicaid buy-in programs are a "poverty trap" for millions.
TONEMADISON.COM: “Choose The Pond” testifies to the power of self-advocacy
By SD Network, 2025-03-30
In Wisconsin and beyond, Cindy Bentley is known as an incredible disability self-advocate. In a new short film, Cindy shares her story of determination and resilience. It will premier at the Madison Film Festival in the beginning of April.
KFF: 5 Key Facts about Medicaid Program Integrity – Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Improper Payments
By SD Network, 2025-03-24
Program integrity efforts work to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse, to increase program transparency and accountability, and to recover improperly used funds. This brief explains what is known about improper payments and fraud and abuse in Medicaid and describes ongoing state and federal actions to address program integrity.
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: The Social Security Administration's many proposed changes are worrying advocates
By SD Network, 2025-03-24
Recently proposed changes to the Social Security Administration have advocates worried. Among these changes are plans to cut thousands of jobs, close offices and enact new policy — including more stringent identity checks that could require in-person office visits. Advocates warn these sweeping moves could lead to seniors and people with disabilities having a harder time getting help with their crucial benefits.
THE WASHINGTON POST: Disabled Americans fear losing protections if states’ lawsuit succeeds
By SD Network, 2025-03-17
An ongoing lawsuit challenges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which legally mandates access and accommodations across wide swaths of the public. The article features an interview with Jennifer Kucera. She has a form of muscular dystrophy that limits her ability to move. Daily caregivers help her get out of bed, bathe and dress. Without them, Kucera, 55, said she would be forced to live in an institution. Millions of disabled Americans who rely on Medicaid for legally mandated services to remain integrated in society are fearful that their services could be cut.
Self-Determination Network News:
March 2025
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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!
Keep Talking with your Legislators about Medicaid
Members of Congress will be back in their districts the week of March 15th. It’s a great opportunity to connect with federal lawmakers about and how important the help you get from Medicaid is to you and your family.
On February 25th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Budget Resolution that committee to $2 Trillion in cuts, with at least $880 Billion in cuts assigned to committee that covers Medicaid. On March 5th, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed major cuts to Medicaid are the only way to reach the level of cuts required by the Budget Resolution.
- Can House Republicans Cut $880 Billion without slashing Medicaid? It’s Likely Impossible (Kaiser Health News)
Since January, Congress has been thinking about ways it could cut Medicaid to get money for other priorities. The public process that will let people know which Medicaid cut ideas and what the details of those ideas are has not started yet. However, the list of ideas on how to cut Medicaid has stayed the same, with some members of Congress publicly supporting certain ideas.
This week the President's nominee for the administrator for the Centers of Medicaid Services--the federal agency in charge of Medicaid--would not commit to opposing Medicaid cuts. This week the President indicated he was supportive of changes that would make it harder for people to get in or stay in Medicaid, and changes that could make it harder for health and long term care businesses to get paid in a timely way.
Now is a great time to tell lawmakers what Medicaid helps you do, and what it would mean if you got any less help that you have now.
The Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is holding webinars every Friday at 9 AM unless cancelled. You can find recordings of these webinars at the BPDD Youtube Channel.
ACTION STEPS for this week.
Congress will be home this week.
- Go with a small group (no more than 3-4) of constituents to in-district offices to talk about Medicaid.
- Bring a written copy of your Medicaid story to leave behind.
- In-district office closed?
- Leave a note. Bring a written copy of your Medicaid story to leave behind.
- Take a picture of yourself and note at the in-district office and share it.
- Make sure the local press gets a copy of your story and picture at the in-district office too.
Upcoming Important Election
On April 1st the statewide Spring Election will be held in Wisconsin. Every ballot in Wisconsin will include races for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Wisconsin State Superintendent, and a Constitutional Amendment question. There will also be local races on many ballots which might include school board, mayor, city council, alderpersons, and circuit court judges. If you would like to see what is on your ballot, whether you are registered to vote, where you need to go on election day to cast your ballot, and more go myvote.wi.gov. If you would like more information about the candidates, visit Personalized Ballot | VOTE411, enter your address, and scroll down to research each candidate and the constitutional amendment on your ballot.
Voting is essential to upholding our democracy. Voting gives you the opportunity to express your opinion on important issues that affect you. If you don’t vote, other people get to choose who will represent you. If people with disabilities voted at the same rate of those without disabilities, there would be about 1.75 million more votes cast nationwide. 25% of eligible voters have one or more disabilities. People with disabilities are a powerful voting block that can impact the outcome of our elections.
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 March, we're shining the spotlight on Lauren. This resilient author found her happy place at camp when she was a kid. She graduated from college, worked in nonprofit marketing for years, and now is a camp coordinator for a weeklong summer camp and weekend camps for adults with neuromuscular diseases. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Lauren.
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:
- Home-and-Community-Based Service: This is an interesting brief what "home care" is, who is covered, and what services were available in 2024. Check it out!
- Airlines Push Back: Several major U.S. airlines are challenging a new federal rule aimed at improving travel for those with disabilities. Learn why the airlines are pushing back.
- DEIA Explanation: This resource provides an overview of what DEIA is, why DEIA efforts are essential for disabled Americans, and how diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts have been affected by these recent Presidential action.
- Cool Story: For Garrett Murray of Mequon, announcing sporting events for Homestead High School has become a career. Read this neat story.
- The Pink Umbrella Theater: Milwaukee's "Pink Umbrella Theater" is the only professional theater company in Milwaukee working directly with actors and artists with disabilities. Learn about this unique theater.
- Medicaid Woes Continue: Medicaid serves as a lifeline for many people with disabilities. Learn about why advocates are concerned.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Lunch & Learn: The Spring Election Matters!: March 19th, 12p.m. to 12:45p.m., Virtual
- Too Big to Thrive: March 19th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- Webinar - Accessible Tech: Can you Read this Map: Checking Maps for ADA Accessibility: March 20th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Virtual
- Unlocking Opportunities: A Case Study Spotlighting a Successful CIL-AAA Partnership - An Innovative Model for Health Care Contracting: March 20th, 2p.m. to 3:30p.m., Virtual
- Lessons from the Budget Authority State Innovation Lab Collaborative: March 26th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Financial Management Services: Friend or Foe: April 2nd, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Exhibition Design and Accessibility for Visitors with Disabilities: April 3rd, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- Proactive Program Integrity Within Self-Direction: April 9th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- 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
- Circles of Life Conference 2025: May 8th & 9th, Wilderness 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.
WUW.COM: 'This is our lifeline': Wisconsin advocates and Medicaid recipients decry potential cuts
By SD Network, 2025-03-11
For self-advocates Felicia Clayborne and Kathryn Burish, Medicaid serves as a lifeline. With support Medicaid funds, both advocates live in their own apartments and are active members of their communities. These two advocates are among many thousands of people with disabilities who are concerned about potential detrimental cuts to Medicaid