News
Federal officials say they are moving forward with implementing a Medicaid rules that standardizes what counts as home-and-community-based services for people with disabilities. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services came up with a strategy to enforce the 2014 regulation that lays out criteria programs must meet in order to be community based and eligible for funding. The rule requires settings must be where people choose to be and have full access to the community.
U.S. ACCESS BOARD: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Releases Series of Videos on Digital Accessibility in Education
By SD Network, 2022-05-29
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a 20-part video series covering a variety of topics on digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology, applicable federal regulations, and identifying and remediating barriers to access. OCR partnered with the ADA National Network to produce the videos for the purposes of providing basic information on and instructions to many different digital accessibility concepts, such as fundamental manual testing techniques, use of color, logical reading order, meaningful video captions, and others. The videos are designed for a wide range of audiences, including school webmasters, parents and students with disabilities, and educational app developers and other IT vendors.
The videos are available on ADA National Network’s OCR Video Series page. All videos are open-captioned. For questions or comments regarding the video series, contact the Office of Civil Rights at OCR@ed.gov.
FORBES: A New Documentary Follows A Young Disabled Man’s Search For Answers
By SD Network, 2022-05-19
Many adults with disabilities often feel left hanging when they turn 18. Navigating adulthood is scary for anyone--especially those with disabilities. There isn't a clear roadmap. A new documentary entitled, "My Disability Roadmap," is about a man with multiple physical disabilities who is trying to figure out how to navigate adulthood. The documentary shares his compelling story and asks some of the basic, yet hard, questions.
CNET: Accessibility Gains From the Pandemic Shouldn't Be Forgotten, Advocates Say
By SD Network, 2022-05-19
As the pandemic whines don't (or at least as things return to a new normal), many people with disabilities hope accessibility gains made during the last few years won't be forgotten. Platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams have made it possible for everyone --especially those with disabilities-- to participate in many different kinds of events that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to. Many of these accommodations weren't readily available before the pandemic. People with disabilities hope these now simple accommodations will continue.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Community Care Corps RFP for Innovative Volunteer Models
By SD Network, 2022-05-19
Request for Proposals (RFP): Grants for Innovative Volunteer ModelsApplications due July 8, 2022, 5:00 PM ET
|
|
|
Community Care Corps has announced an RFP for innovative local models where volunteers provide nonmedical assistance to older adults, adults with disabilities, or family caregivers to help them maintain their independence. Informational Webinar: June 3, 2022, 2:00 PM ET Community Care Corps will award 18-month competitive grants between $30,000 and $200,000 for new applicants. Current Community Care Corps grantees may apply for another year of funding up to $100,000 or 100% of the previous award amount, whichever is less. The purpose of the project is to establish, enhance, or grow volunteer programs for family caregivers, older adults, and adults with disabilities. A wide range of nonprofit entities, such as faith- and community-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and service organizations, as well as state, county, and local governments are encouraged to apply. Community Care Corps seeks to fund local models that represent a diverse cross-section of the nation reflective of demographics and geography – urban, rural, frontier, and tribal communities; underserved and limited English-speaking populations; communities with limited support programs; and more. |
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICE: State Plan for Assistive Technology: Public Comment and Input Opportunities
By SD Network, 2022-05-19
State Plan for Assistive Technology (2021–2023)
Notice of Public Hearings and Comment Period
Notice is given that the State Assistive Technology Advisory Council will hold public hearings on the draft State Plan for Assistive Technology (AT), 2021–2023.
The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 as amended provides funding to Wisconsin to operate the State Assistive Technology (AT) Program known as WisTech. The State AT Program supports state efforts to improve the provision of assistive technology to individuals with disabilities of all ages through comprehensive, statewide programs that are consumer responsive. The State AT Program makes assistive technology devices and services more available and accessible to individuals with disabilities and their families.
Wisconsin’s State Plan for Assistive Technology, 2021–2023
The AT Advisory Council is requesting consumer and public input on Wisconsin’s State Plan for AT, 2021–2023, which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL) by July 1, 2022. The AT Advisory Council is accepting feedback from May 2, 2022 through June 30, 2022.
The State Plan for AT serves as a blueprint for how these funds are spent and how State AT Program activities are conducted. The State Plan for AT and other relevant information in advance of the public hearings by visiting the State AT Advisory Council’s website.
Public hearings can be accessed in-person, via teleconference, and by Zoom (see below).
In-Person Public Input Sessions:
June 2, 2022 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Center for Independent Living for Western Wisconsin
2920 Schneider Ave. E. Menomonie, WI 54751
June 6, 2022 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Independence First
540 South 1st Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
June 7, 2022 10:00–11:00 p.m.
Options for Independent Living
555 Country Club Road
Green Bay, WI 53413
Phone and Zoom Access to Public Input Sessions
All dates:
Phone: 669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 280 3565
Or
Accessibility
Sign language interpreters and CART services will be provided at in-person and virtual public hearing spaces. If you need materials in an accessible format or need to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the public hearings, please email WisTech staff or call 608-514-2513. Please make your request at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing to ensure your needs can be met.
Public Input and Deadline for Submission
If you are unable to attend a public hearing and would like to provide feedback on the State Plan for AT, comments can be submitted via:
1. Email: DHSWistech@dhs.wisconsin.gov
2. Mail:
WisTech
Attn: State Plan for AT Input
1 West Wilson Room 551
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Feedback must be received by 5:00 P.M. (CST) on Friday, June 30, 2022.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Disabilities Research Findings
By SD Network, 2022-05-17
During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all projects funded by the Administration for Community Living’s National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) experienced substantial delays and required pivoting in some way during the pandemic. Grantees used this opportunity to collect data on the experiences of people with disabilities. This document summarizes some of their findings.
HOME HEALTH CARE NEWS: Why Eliminating GPS from EVV Could Cost Millions, Force ‘Massive’ Step Backward
By SD Network, 2022-05-16
The electronic visit verification process is using intense reconsideration. If a congressional bill passes, GPS would be eliminated. Some people worry this would put millions of dollars already in by home health providers and government agencies at risk of being wasted. On the other hand, people with disabilities argue that having GPS linked to EVV is an invasion of privacy.