Print Friendly VersionJune 2007, Issue 114
ADVOCACY ACTION NEWS
June 2007, Issue 114
Monthly News Bulletin Published by IndependenceFirst
FEDERAL/NATIONAL
WISCONSIN
LOCAL
ADA/FAIR HOUSING
ON THE WEB
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mary Neubauer with Bob Wrenn, CEO of Transitional Living Services (TLS)
TLS ADVOCACY AWARD
Mary Neubauer was awarded the “Robert Bradford Smith Award for Advocacy on Behalf of People with Mental Illness.” The presentation was held during Transitional Living Services’ Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 17th, 2007. This award is named for Brad Smith, a consumer and former TLS employee who was a dedicated advocate for individuals who shared his illness and for public policies that enhanced those individuals’ chances of recovery from mental illness.
Mary was nominated by several individuals for her dedicated work to bring Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) to Milwaukee County. CCS services are Medicaid funded and promote wellness and recovery for persons with mental illness.
ROAD TO FREEDOM UPDATE
Dear Friends:
The Road To Freedom bus has been on the road since last November when we left Washington, DC with Yoshiko Dart joining us on the first leg of our journey.
Just last week we were in Oregon where we were joined by Casey Martin, the professional golfer whose ADA case in the Supreme Court affirmed his right to use a golf cart in PGA competitions.
Photos and descriptions of this event, which will give you a good sense of what a Road To Freedom bus stop is all about, are available at:
http://adawatch.smugmug.com/gallery/2863708/1
More information is available at www.roadtofreedom.org
From: Jim Ward Founder and President
ADA Watch/National Coalition for Disability Rights
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20004
(202)415-4753
**** NOTE: The Road to Freedom bus tour will arrive in Milwaukee on July 15th. IndependenceFirst will be hosting an event, so PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!!! Contact Alie Kriofske for more information (414-291-7520 v/tty).
FEDERAL/NATIONAL
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY SELECTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The National Council on Disability (NCD) announced that Michael C. Collins of Sacramento, California, will become NCD’s new executive director on June 18.
NCD is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress to enhance the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities and their families. It is comprised of 15 members who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Mr. Collins was the first executive director of the California State Independent Living Council, which was created in 1997 and comes to NCD from this position. He is a long-time disability advocate who is very familiar with disability and long-term care-related programs and services, the wide variety of disability civil rights laws, and vocational rehabilitation practices and regulations at the federal and state levels. Mr. Collins is also very familiar with the concerns and characteristics of people with all types of disabilities, as a peer, consultant, trainer, and through administration of a statewide agency addressing their needs on a daily basis.
For more information, please contact NCD’s director of communications Mark S. Quigley at mquigley@ncd.gov or by telephone at 202-272-2004 (V), 202-272-2074 (TTY).
WISCONSIN
WisconsinCare
Starting January 1, 2008, Governor Doyle is launching a new program to help Wisconsin seniors and people with disabilities afford the medicine they need. WisconsinCare, a new affordable prescription drug program for seniors and people with disabilities, will provide affordable prescription drugs without all the complications of Part-D and without the dreaded donut hole.
Who will be eligible for WisconsinCare?
• All Wisconsin seniors who are: 1) enrolled in Medicare; 2) have an annual income of less than $24,504 ($32,856 for a married couple); and 3) are not getting Medicaid.
• All other Wisconsin residents under the age of 65 who are: 1) enrolled in Medicare; 2) have an income of less than $16,336 ($21,904 for a married couple); and 3) are not getting Medicaid.
How do you enroll in WisconsinCare?
• Everyone currently in SeniorCare, whose income is less than $24,504 ($32,856 for a married couple), will be signed up automatically.
• Everyone else can apply using a one-page form similar to the current SeniorCare application.
• There is no annual enrollment fee. Enrollees will need to renew each year using a one-page form.
All WisconsinCare participants will still need to choose a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Benefit specialists across the state will help find a plan that’s right for each individual. All current SeniorCare participants who have not selected a Part D plan will be automatically enrolled in a Part D plan, but will be able to change plans if they need to.
LOCAL
MILWAUKEE COUNTY EDGING TOWARD GETTING FAMILY CARE FOR MORE RESIDENTS
About 2,300 low-income Milwaukee County residents with physical or developmental disabilities would move off waiting lists for support services and get coverage next year under an expected expansion of the state's Family Care program.
The time is ripe to apply for the expansion, which would add adults with disabilities younger than 60 to about 7,100 seniors already served by the popular program, said Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. Family Care substitutes expensive institutional care with services that enable people with disabilities and senior citizens to remain in their homes or local communities, a shift intended to save money and keep participants happier.
Walker is advocating the move, based on the large-scale expansion of the program envisioned by Gov. Jim Doyle. His administration wants to expand
Milwaukee County's role as part of a five-county Family Care pilot program. The governor included a major Family Care expansion in his 2007-'09 budget plan, which is under review by the Legislature.
"We've got to strike while the iron is hot," Walker said. Doyle also has called for extending Family Care statewide by 2011.
The county has been planning for the expansion of the program here for a year under a $500,000 state grant, but needs another year or so to work out details. The shift would mean Medicaid funding would be available to cover care costs for all low-income adults under 60 with disabilities. Medicaid comes from federal and state taxes; local tax money wouldn't be added to the program, Walker said.
Some 2,500 people in that category currently are being served under two other similar state programs, but limits on the number served has meant years' long waits, said Geri Lyday, administrator of adult services for the county's Health and Human Services Department. Those 2,500 as well as the 2,300 now on waiting lists would be shifted to Family Care under the proposed change.
"There are older parents with younger adults (with disabilities) who have been waiting for services for a long time," Lyday said. Some examples of services under Family Care include group home placements, day programs and respite care, she said.
Walker said he hoped to get the necessary approval soon from the County Board. The board's Health and Human Needs Committee will consider the plan Wednesday. County Board Chairman Lee Holloway strongly supports the change, said board spokesman Harold Mester.
The shift could start in mid-2008, but would be phased in over two years, Lyday said. Additional capacity at private service providers would likely have to be developed to accommodate additional individuals in the program, she said.
Walker envisions creation of a single bureaucracy to operate the expanded Family Care program. The portion of the program in effect for disabled adults 60 and older is now housed in the county's Department of Aging. A new oversight board would include county supervisors and advocates for people with disabilities, according to a memo prepared for the County Board.
The total Family Care pool for Milwaukee County could hit 12,000 or more, officials said. That would take into account the 7,100 seniors already in the program, 2,500 disabled adults under 60 enrolled in the predecessor programs, the additional 2,300 on waiting lists and future enrollees.
The county should prepare a plan for operating the system by fall, the memo states.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
***NOTE: Milwaukee County has contracted with the Planning Council for Health & Human Services, Inc. to assist in the Family Care planning process. They have established a website which provides background on long-term care reform, an overview of Milwaukee County’s planning process, information on the Consumer/ Stakeholder Advisory Council, updates from the planning groups, and an opportunity for interested individuals to submit their feedback and opinions.
Please visit www.planningcouncil.org/longtermcare
ADA/FAIR HOUSING
NAD SETTLES COMPLAINT
An agreement to resolve a lawsuit between a hospital and one of its patients regarding the hospital's provision of qualified interpreting services, including video interpreting, to deaf and hard of hearing patients was announced. The agreement stems from a lawsuit filed by Alma Andrews against Baltimore Washington Medical Center (BWMC) in the United States District Court in Baltimore. In her complaint, Ms. Andrews, who is deaf, alleged that BWMC failed to provide her with qualified interpreter services at certain points during several visits to the hospital in 2006. Ms. Andrews was represented by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Beth Pepper, a civil rights attorney in Baltimore, and the law firm of Howrey, LLP.
Under the agreement, BWMC reaffirmed and strengthened its policy of providing video interpreting services to deaf and hard of hearing patients. The agreement was reached cooperatively between hospital administration and Ms. Andrews. BWMC did not admit to any wrongdoing in its handling of Ms. Andrews’ communication needs.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.” ~Joseph Joubert
ON THE WEB
NEW ADVOCACY TOOL
DAWN has recently introduced a new tool for advocates to use called "Take Action". It is a new way to be in touch with your representatives. It was developed from the people at CapWiz. If you go to the DAWN home page at: <http://www.dawninfo.org>, you will see the new Take Action box. Right now there are two bills that are highlighted with this new tool; the State Budget and the Photo ID.
It's easy to use the new tool. Follow the instructions and CapWiz does the rest. If you need more information about how to use this tool go to the DAWN web site at:
<http://www.dawninfo.org/advocacy/leg/about_takeaction.cfm>.
Take Action will provide you with text for an email that you can send to your representatives. Sometimes it will also include a set of "talking points" that you can add to the email. Sometimes you will be given information so that you can call your representatives.
People are busy and can't always do everything they want to. Hopefully this new tool will make it easier for you to send that email or make that phone call on issues that are important to you. Once you enter your personal information (ex. name, address, etc.), CapWiz and DAWN figures out who to send the email to or you get the phone number of your representatives that allows you to make the call.
DAWN intends to use this new tool for other bills that will be introduced this session, so check back regularly for updates. DAWN is also developing a short video to show you how to use this new tool. Look for that to be available very soon.
DAWN ADDRESS: http://www.dawninfo.org
If you are not a member of DAWN, please sign up at http://www.dawninfo.org/ea/index.cfm
CrohnsAndMe.com
CrohnsAndMe.com is an exciting new web site created especially for people
whose lives are affected by Crohn's Disease - patients, friends, and family.
Along with such things as helpful Crohn's information and tips for daily living. It's easy to feel isolated when you or a loved one has Crohn's Disease. But there are many, many people whose experiences are just like yours. So check out CrohnsAndMe.com, and start to make connections.
SAMHSA LAUNCHES NEW WEB PAGE FOR VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES
A new section of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's web site at http://www.samhsa.gov has been launched for veterans and their families. The web site provides critical information on prevention, treatment and recovery support for mental and substance use disorders. Publications, fact sheets, and links to relevant agencies are provided along with information on SAMHSA-funded programs, agency activities, and training and technical assistance opportunities. Individuals seeking substance use and mental health services can easily find information about local programs by using SAMHSA's treatment facility locator.
For more information, please visit Resources for Returning Veterans and Their Families at http://www.samhsa.gov/vets/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WHEN YOUR HEALTH PRIVACY IS VIOLATED, COMPLAIN!
If a pharmacy, health plan, hospital or medical practitioner improperly shares your health information, they may have violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the federal agency with the power to enforce this Act, has a new web site that shows how it enforces the federal health care privacy standards. You can also file a complaint on their web site.
HHS' online FAQ helps explain the extent and limitations of this Act at http://www.hhs.gov/hipaafaq/index.html
With over 26,000 complaints filed alleging some sort of HIPAA violation, the web site has statistics and summaries about the complaints. HHS also shows some of the corrective actions they have obtained from companies that individuals complained about. Other information on the site shows patients' rights to have access to their health records and to control how protected health data are used and disclosed.
The HHS HIPAA enforcement web site is at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/enforcement
You can file your complaint using the information on the web site at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacyhowtofile.htm or contact HHS by phone 1-800-368-1019; or by TTY: 1-800-537-7697; or via email: OCRComplaint@hhs.gov
For additional information on HIPAA or on your health care civil rights, contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights/HIPAA as follows: 1-800-368-1019 - Civil Rights; 1-866-627-7748 HIPAA; TTY: 1-800- 537-7697; Email: OCRMail@hhs.gov
Source: AAPD
What Do YOU Think?
Pathways to Independence is Listening!
• Come and share your ideas about disability and employment
• Talk about your priorities for potential grant funding in 2008
Upcoming Listening Sessions in Southeastern Wisconsin:
Milwaukee County: June 5, 2007
12-1:30PM
Mill Road Library, 6431 N. 76th Street Milwaukee, WI 53223
Milwaukee County: June 6, 2007
4:30-6:00 PM
Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center at State Fair Park Wisconsin,
640 S. 84th Street West Allis, WI 53214
Waukesha County: June 7, 2007
4:30-6:00 PM
Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Rd. Brookfield, WI 53005
For additional Listening Session locations throughout Wisconsin, go to:
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/WIpathways
Please contact Jackie Wells at 262-818-0802 (v/relay) or via email at wellsjm1@dhfs.state.wi.us with any questions you may have.
For reasonable accommodations (interpreter, large print, etc.), let Jackie know at least two weeks before the listening session.
ONLINE SURVEY ON WIRELESS PHONES AND SERVICES
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technology (“Wireless RERC”) is looking for people with disabilities to take its online survey about wireless products like cell phones and text messengers. The purpose of the survey is to learn about how people with disabilities use these products and why some people with disabilities don’t use these products. The survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete. It’s also available in hard copy or can be completed over the phone by calling 404-367-1348 or 800-582-6360. Questions? E-mail mailto:wirelessrerc@shepherd.org
http://www.wirelessrerc.gatech.edu/survey/coverletter_p2.html
PEOPLE WITH VISION LOSS: SHARE YOUR CELL-PHONE RELATED DIFFICULTIES
Tara Annis, an intern with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), is compiling a list of persons with vision loss who have had difficulty obtaining and using cell phones. AFB is considering filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about lack of upholding Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act, which requires that cell phone manufacturers and service providers do all that is readily achievable to make each product or service accessible. If you have an experience to share, contact Tara at 1-888-824-2184 or tannis@afb.net.
Advocacy Action News is published by IndependenceFirst on or about the 1st of each month. Submissions of articles are due by the 15th of each month prior to publication. For consideration, send your articles or announcements to the Editor, Karen Avery, via e-mail to kavery@independencefirst.org.
Advocacy Action News is available by request in alternative formats such as Braille, large print, on disk or audiotape. It is also made available via our website.
You may also receive Advocacy Action News via email instead of print copy. Contact Karen at 414-291-7520 (V/TTY) or kavery@independencefirst.org.
If you do not have access to the internet, and would like assistance in obtaining any of the internet-based items described in this news bulletin, please contact Karen at 414-291-7520 (V/TTY).
IndependenceFirst
The Resource for People with Disabilities…
600 W. Virginia Street, 4th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53204
414-291-7520 (V/TTY)
414-291-7525 (FAX)
www.independencefirst.org