Print Friendly VersionMarch 2006, Issue 99
ADVOCACY ACTION NEWS
March 2006, Issue 99
President Of the National orginazation On Disability
Federal/National
WISCONSIN
LOCAL
ZABLOCKI MEDICAL CENTER
RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET
EMERGENCY PLANNING RESOURCE
NEW BLOG ANNOUNCED
DISABILITYINFO.GOV
EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
March 22 - American Diabetes Alert Day
Monthly News Bulletin Published by IndependenceFirst
Alan Reich— President Of the National orginazation On Disability
By Alie Kriofske Mainella
“We want to participate fully and contribute to society. Just like everyone else.” These are the words of the late Alan Reich, founder of the National Organization on Disability (NOD). Reich described the NOD as being a “gate opener”; its goals are to partner with leaders and influential people in society to change attitudes about disabilities—to show the world what people with disabilities are capable of and what they can contribute. Before becoming a leader in the disability rights movement, Reich had success in many areas of his life. He went to school at Dartmouth College, Middlebury College Russian School, Oxford University, and Harvard. He earned a master’s degree in Business, spoke five languages and served as an officer in the U.S. army. In 1962, while employed at the Polaroid Corporation, Reich was in an accident, became a quadriplegic and began using a wheelchair.
After his accident, Reich was in the hospital for nine months. With four young children to support, he knew that he had to move forward —to get back to work, back into life. He returned to his job at Polaroid and stayed there for the next seven years. His next job was with the government as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. It was in this position that Reich became exposed to the problems faced by persons with disabilities—discrimination, neglect, poverty. Reich decided that he wanted to help in creating some changes. He went to the United Nations and his work there created the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981. He then continued to work at an international level, encouraging world leaders to set goals to improve life for persons with disabilities. He served on the People-to-People Committee on Disability and on the boards of the Paralysis Cure Research Foundation and National Paraplegia Foundation. He became the first person using a wheelchair to address the United Nations and even had an audience with the pope.
In 1982, he founded NOD where he served as President until his recent death. He was also the Chair of the World Committee on Disability and helped to establish the Frank Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award.
In July 2005, Mr. Reich received from former President George H. W. Bush the George Bush Medal for his work on behalf of people with disabilities. In commenting on Alan Reich's extraordinary leadership, the former President said: “As the Honorary Chairman of NOD and its World Committee of Disability, I've observed, first-hand, Alan's tenacious commitment to providing hope and opportunity for millions of people with disabilities, not only in this country, but also worldwide.”
Federal/National
PRESIDENT BUSH INTRODUCES HIS 2007 BUDGET
The following is a summary compiled by the National Coalition of Independent Living (NCIL) regarding some of the disability-related parts of the President’s budget:
Assistive Technology
• Assistive Tech $22,389,000 ($8,063,000 below 2006 Appropriations level).
• Alternative Financing Program $0 ($3,722,000 below 2006 Appropriations level – note this is what funded WisLoan).
Higher Education
• Demonstration Projects to ensure quality Higher Education for Students with
Disabilities Zeroed out from $7 million in 2006.Department of Labor
• Office of Disability Employment Policy – The administration proposed funding
ODEP at $20 million for 2007, an $8 million reduction from 2006. In 2005 ODEP
was funded at $48 million. The rationale being advanced to justify these cuts
is that ODEP is supposed to be doing research and advocacy, not providing
grants and that these cuts will return ODEP to its appropriate and
intended mission.
• Work Incentive Grants – Zeroed out, going from
$20 million in 2006 to 0 in 2007.
• Employment Service/One Stop Centers – Minus $810 million from $850 million
own to $40 million.
Department of Health and Human Services
• National Institutes of Health $28,594,000,000 for an increase of $18 million. All
Institutes but the one responsible for addressing the bird flu lost funding.
• Centers for Disease Control $5,735,000,000 for a decrease of $167 million.
• Health Resources & Services Traumatic Brain Injury program zeroed out from $9
million.
• Medicare $36 billion 5 yr reduction/ $105 Billion 10 yr reduction: through cuts in
payments to hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, oxygen providers
and increased premiums for wealthier beneficiaries.
• $248 million for Money Follows the Person Demonstration NEW FUNDING.
• $1 million for Money Follows the Person evaluations and technical support NEW
FUNDING.
• $21 million for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Demonstration NEW FUNDING
• $75 million for Medicaid transformation grants NEW FUNDING.
• $50 million for Ticket to Work Demonstrations (+ $1 million from 2006).
• The budget calls for $13.6 billion in savings from Medicaid and the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program over five years ($12.2 in Medicaid)
including further changes to the drug reimbursement formula and curbing an
accounting practice by some states that raises the federal share of
Medicaid costs.
• Community Services Block Grant Zeroed Out.
• Administration on Aging $1,339,000,000 (down $28 million from 2006).
• Office for Civil Rights $33 million (+2 million from 2006).
Housing
• Renews Request for Congress to adopt the State and Local Housing
Flexibility Act of 2005.
• $736 million cut for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) [a 20% cut] -
which are used for community development and housing for our nation's
cities and counties
• Increases Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS from $286 million
to $300 million.
• $459 million cut for public housing [an 8% cut] - including the elimination of the
HOPE VI program to revitalize obsolete public housing projects. HOPE VI was
funded at $99 million in 2006.
• $118 million cut for Section 811 housing for persons w/disabilities [a 50% cut]
from $237 million to $119 million -- including a proposal Congress rejected last
year to
eliminate funding for construction of affordable rental units for persons with
disabilities.
• $190 million cut for Section 202 elderly housing [a 26% cut].
• $35 million cut for lead paint prevention and remediation [a 23% cut].
• Elimination of all funding for the construction or preservation of affordable
housing units in rural areas.
• Zero funding for a range of economic and community development programs,
including Brownfields Redevelopment Grants, Urban Empowerment Zones, the
National Community Development Initiative, and CDBG Section 108 loans.
• $45 million in funding for Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
A reduction of roughly $1 million from 2006.
• HOME Investment Partnerships Program –$1.757 billion to $1.917 billion ($160
million increase).
• Homeless Assistance Grants - $1.327 billion to $1.536 billion ($209 million
increase).
BILL INTRODUCED REGARDING EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
HR 4704, “The Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with Disabilities Act,” was introduced by Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Curt Weldon (R-PA). This legislation offers a comprehensive approach to ensuring that the needs of people with disabilities are met before, during and after a national disaster. The bill would establish a Disability Coordinator within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who would be responsible for providing guidance and coordination in emergency planning and relief efforts, including:
- Educating DHS, other federal agencies, and state and local governmental
authorities about the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning
and relief
- Coordinating and disseminating best practices and model evacuation plans
- Developing curriculum and training materials for governmental officials and first
responders on the needs of individuals with disabilities
- Develop a plan for the temporary loan or replacement of medical equipment
such as wheelchairs in the case of a disaster
- Ensuring the accessibility of information about evacuation and disaster relief on
telephone hotlines, websites and broadcasts
- Coordinating accessible transportation options
The bill also amends the Stafford Disaster Relief Act, the law that authorizes
specific federal assistance in times of an emergency in the following ways:
- Authorizes additional financial assistance in reconstruction efforts for
homeowners who incorporate enhanced accessibility standards
- Requires that 30% of temporary housing units provided by the federal
government be accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities.
- Requires that personnel carrying out federal disaster assistance functions to
exert maximum effort to ensure that individuals with disabilities who were living
independently before evacuating their homes are offered housing options with
similar independence.
Finally, the bill requires the GAO to do a national study of emergency shelters. While such shelters are covered under Titles II and III of the ADA, it is unclear how many of them are accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities.
100% CAPTIONING NOW REQUIRED
Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, virtually all new broadcast, satellite and cable programming must be captioned beginning January 1, 2006. In addition, the FCC rules also require video programming distributors to make ALL emergency information that it broadcasts accessible to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. If emergency information is provided aurally, the information also must be provided in a visual format. For more information, see the FCC’s Consumer Fact Sheet at: www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/emergencyvideo.html.
The FCC Order is available at:
www.fcc.gov/bureaus/cable/orders/2000/fcc00136.doc
There are some exceptions in the FCC rules. For example, commercial advertisements that are less than five minutes long are not subject to the law. Nor are programs that consist mainly for non-vocal music, which as a televised symphony or ballet performance. Programs shown on new networks are exempt for the first four years of the network’s operation. Networks that have a very low income are also exempt.
SOURCE: http://www.nad.org/broadcastcable
WISCONSIN
WCILC & ILRW VISIT STATE LEGISLATORS
Representatives of the Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers (WCILC) and the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin (ILCW) met in Madison February 6-8th and spent time visiting with both state representatives and senators. IndependenceFirst had over 20 staff participate in this event and visited the approximately 40 legislators who represent our four county service area!
The goal of our visits was to educate legislators about independent living and the needs of persons with disabilities who want to live in the community. One of our main topics was to discuss WCILC’s “2006 Advocacy Issue Statement on Long Term Care Reform.”
WCILC believes that Long Term Care (LTC) reform activities in Wisconsin need to: (1) strengthen existing community LTC capacity for current consumers. (2) expand capacity to eliminate waiting lists for community service. (3) provide sufficient funding to individuals currently living in institutions who choose to live in the community by transitioning institutional capacity and resources to community services.
WCILC’s LTC Reform Guiding Principles:
Implement a Community Entitlement
• Individuals choose if they want to live in an institution or the community and
receive appropriate funding and supports, regardless of setting.
• While savings can be achieved due to the difference in average costs of
institutional versus community care, a high-cost rate (an average rate high
enough to serve those with more intensive needs) must be available.
The rate must not reduce the frequency or intensity of services (unless
individual needs have
changed).
• Eligibility for services needs to remain essentially the same as it is now.
Everyone who is eligible will receive the appropriate service.
• Eliminate the current institutional bias that denies people the right to the supports
they need in the most integrated setting – no “slot” limits or waiting lists.
• A full range of services must be available statewide and across county lines.
• Allow individuals to increase their safety by hiring family members and spouses
for personal care services.
• Continue to downsize Intermediate Care Facilities for individuals with Mental
Retardation (ICF-MR), Nursing Homes, and close state centers by FY 2009.
Maintain Public Accountability – Whether the LTC system is managed publicly,
privately, or as a partnership of public and private:
• There must be an effective consumer/user friendly independent advocacy
agency.
• All system information (non-consumer-specific) must be publicly available
Build Community Capacity
Low wages and eroding health insurance benefits contribute to high staff
turnover rates and put the continuity of support relied upon by people with
disabilities at risk. The median service worker starting wage of $8.00/hour is
less than necessary for a full-time worker to meet the federal poverty level for a
family of four.
• Increase rates now and build in a mechanism for automatic cost of living
allowance (COLAs) for the future.
• Reform health insurance so that it is affordable and available to direct service
workers.
A lack of affordable housing limits LTC choices. Low-income individuals are
priced out of the housing market in many areas of the state. In addition, much
of our housing stock is not accessible to individuals with mobility limitations.
• Ensure there is sufficient affordable, accessible and integrated housing to
meet the needs of those leaving institutions.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
If movements for social change unswervingly seek diversity, solidarity, equity, and self-management--peace and justice--and if they do it in a manner and with a tone and with tactics which seek to empower the weak and to meet the needs of the poor, we can win this struggle!
~Michael Albert
NEW LEGISLATIVE BILLS
You can look up the full text and/or the status of these bills at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/
Senate Bills Introduced
SJR-63. TABOR-II (Grothman) Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR-II) or “Taxpayers Protection Act.” To Taxpayer Protection Amendment Committee.
SB-550. Professional Health Care Liability Coverage (Darling) Return of funds in excess of surplus and incurred liabilities. To Agriculture and Insurance.
SB-565. MA (Roessler) Waiver of certain divestment requirements under Medical Assistance. To Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care.
SB-567. Public Assistance (Reynolds) Limits eligibility for public assistance programs to US citizens and qualifying aliens, requires documentary proof of citizenship or satisfactory immigration status. To Labor and Election Process Reform.
SB-570. Property Tax Exemptions (Kapanke) Property tax exemption for property owned by certain benevolent or educational associations; use of income from certain tax-exempt property. To Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs.
SB-578. Health Care Records (Kanavas) Confidentiality of health care review records and immunity. To Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care.
SB-579. Caregiver Background Checks (Grothman) Changes affecting caregiver background checks. To Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care.
SB-582. Medical Assistance (Decker) Decreases MA reimbursement; transfers moneys from the general fund to the MA trust fund, increases low-income energy assistance. To Health, Children, Families, Aging & Long Term Care.
Assembly Bill Introductions
AJR-77. TABOR-II (Wood) Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR-II) “Taxpayers Protection Act.” To Ways and Means.
AB-987. Caregivers (Moulton) Caregiver background information. To Health.
AB-993. Health Care Records (Underheim) Confidentiality of health care review records and immunity. To Health.
AB-1013. Prescription Drugs (Montgomery) Regulates wholesale distribution of prescription drugs. To Health.
AB-1021. Health Care Providers (Gielow) Inadmissibility of a statement of apology or condolence by a health care provider. To Judiciary.
AB-1027. Mental Illness (Wieckert) Mistreatment of a child with a mental illness or a development disability. To Criminal Justice and Homeland Security.
LOCAL
UPCOMING ELECTION – WHO’S RUNNING? BE SURE TO VOTE!
Spring General Election, April 4th, 2006
Office of the Supreme Court:
Incumbent: Patrick Crooks (nonpartisan)
Opponent: Linda Clifford (nonpartisan)
Office of the 1st District Court of Appeals—Milwaukee County
Incumbent: Ralph Adam Fine (nonpartisan)
Office of the 2nd District Court of Appeals—Waukesha County
Incumbent: Richard S. Brown (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 4
Incumbent: Mel Flanagan (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 6
Incumbent: Kitty K. Brennan (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 8
Incumbent: William Sosnay (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 20
Incumbent: Dennis P. Moroney (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 23
Incumbent: Elsa C. Lamelas (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 28
Incumbent: Thomas R. Cooper (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 38
Incumbent: Jeffrey A. Wagner (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 39
Incumbent filed notification of non-candidacy
Opponent: Jane Carroll (nonpartisan)
Opponent: J.D. Watts (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 43
Incumbent: Marshall A. Murray (nonpartisan)
Milwaukee County Circuit Court—Branch 46
Incumbent: Bonnie L. Gordon (nonpartisan)
Washington Co Circuit Court—Branch 3
Incumbent: David C. Resheske (nonpartisan)
Washington Co Circuit Court—Branch 4
Incumbent: Andrew T. Gonring (nonpartisan)
Waukesha Co Circuit Court—Branch 11
Incumbent: Robert G. Mawdsley (nonpartisan)
Waukesha Co Circuit Court—Branch 12
Incumbent: Kathryn W. Foster (nonpartisan)
ZABLOCKI MEDICAL CENTER SLATED TO RECEIVE $32.5M FOR NEW
SPINAL CORD INJURY UNIT
Milwaukee's Zablocki VA Medical Center, a major veterans facility, has been placed on a priority list to receive $32.5 million for a new Spinal Cord Injury Unit (SCI) in the 2007 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) budget. Congresswoman Gwen Moore sent a letter signed by Wisconsin delegation members Sen. Herb Kohl, Sen. Russ Feingold, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Mark Green, and Rep. Ron Kind to VA Secretary R. James Nicholson in January expressing their strong support for the funding. Zablocki Medical Center is the only VA unit that treats spinal cord injuries in Wisconsin, and only one of 23 in the United States, treating approximately 500 veterans as inpatients and providing service to 10,000 outpatients yearly. The funding will improve patient care, maximize patient services and quality of life as it creates a new building that will include 38 patient beds. The $32.5 million in funding requested by Congresswoman Moore and others in the Wisconsin delegation was included in the 2007 proposed budget just released by the VA. Construction would begin after Congress appropriates the money later this year.
SOURCE: Press release from Rep. Moore (edited)
RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET
NEW EDITION OF LINK AVAILABLE
Access to adequate transportation allows us to work, to choose where to live, to pursue an education, to have access to health care, to worship, to shop, and to participate in recreational activities. In putting together this edition of the LINK we found many transportation resources available that provide best practice ideas, mobility tips, federal and state government program information, laws and regulations around access to transportation, grant programs and more.
Go to the following link to view the newsletter: http://www.adawipartnership.org/Newsletter/2006_01_Link.htm
In the next LINK, we plan to address access to voting and legislative advocacy.
SOURCE: Tammy Liddicoat, ADA Wisconsin Partnership,
www.adawipartnership.org
EMERGENCY PLANNING RESOURCE
The National Organization on Disability's Emergency Preparedness Initiative has released the "Interactive Map of Disability & Emergency Preparedness Resources." This tool provides an accessible, interactive clearinghouse directory of regional, state, and local disability-related emergency management resources. The map contains information on regional branches of FEMA and ADA&IT Technical Assistance Centers, Governor's websites and state disability resource agencies, a directory of Independent Living Centers and State Independent Living Councils by state, state Citizen Corps and American Red Cross Chapters, as well as links to State and local Emergency Management Agencies. Resources are currently accessible by state, but will soon be posted regionally as well. Look for a Federal Sector list soon too.
The map will continue to be a work-in-progress and as new resources are developed and discovered, they will become housed here as well. To that end, if you have information you feel would be beneficial to include in this tool, please contact us at epi@nod.org and we will provide your information as well.
http://www.nod.org/EPIResources/interactive_map.html
For additional program information and publications currently available for emergency managers and persons with disabilities, please visit www.nod.org/emergency
SOURCE: Hilary C. Styron, National Organization on Disability
NEW BLOG ANNOUNCED
The RRTC on Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): Promoting Health and Preventing Complications through Exercise is pleased to announce a new blog about Spinal Cord Injury and Exercise. Pam Mackie, the blog author, will share her personal experiences and insights about SCI secondary conditions, exercise, and general health through personal stories, sharing of facts and practices, interviews, and other means. Please go to the blog and share your struggles and successes in maintaining fitness while living with a SCI. The blog can be reached through the following websites:
http://rrtc-sci.livejournal.com
http://www.sci-health.org
http://www.ilru.org/html/projects/SCI/index.htm
SOURCE: Justice For All Listserve
DISABILITYINFO.GOV
DisabilityInfo.gov is a one-stop federal website designed to offer people with disabilities and many others access to the information and resources they need to live full and independent lives in the workplace and in their communities. Managed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), DisabilityInfo.gov offers a broad range of information, not only for people with disabilities, but also their family members, employers, service providers and many others.
EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
INDEPENDENCEFIRST AND WI FACETS PRESENT…THE SUMMER YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM, JULY 10TH-13TH 2006
Milwaukee area high school students are invited to participate in this 2nd annual FREE Youth Leadership Forum.
*Make friends!
*Earn a $100 stipend!
*Breakfast and Lunch are provided!
If you are interested in applying, contact Alie Kriofske Mainella at 414-291-7520 (V/TTY)
(application deadline is May 12th)
ART COMPETITION
The deadline for receipt of entries is March 24, 2006. VSA Arts invites artists to reflect on the many ways art transforms our lives, focusing on the influence of education and disability. Submissions are open to artists, ages 22+, who are committed to their artistic progress and who have a physical, cognitive, or mental disability. A distinguished jury will review two slides of the artist's earlier work and three slides of original artwork created within the last 5 years. The artist's most recent work must have been produced after the onset of a disability. An entry-specific artist statement should be included with the slides and entry form. There is no entry fee. Round trip shipping expenses will be covered and selected artwork does not have to be framed. For media and entry forms available in English, Spanish, and French go to: http://www.vsarts.org/prebuilt/showcase/gallery/exhibits/transformation/form.html
Braille and large print versions are available upon request. The exhibit will debut in Washington, DC during the month of June 2006. Contact Stephanie Moore, Director of Visual Arts, VSA arts by e-mail: stephaniem@vsarts.org or phone: 202-628-2800 (V/Relay).
FREE VISUAL SMOKE DETECTORS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
The Foundation for Safer Housing has been awarded a grant from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. The grant will span over one year and will be used to give smoke detectors to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing and are not otherwise able to obtain them. To apply for a FREE visual fire alarm, please go to:
www.safehousecampaign.com/application.php
SELF ADVOCACY 101
You will learn how to be an effective and great advocate for yourself. You will receive letter writing tips and handouts on developing effective messages and legislative advocacy.
Also, learn about the Consumer Caucus and People First Wisconsin.
March 29th 5:00-7:00 p.m. - United Cerebral Palsy, 7519 W. Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee - contact Martha Chambers 329-4500 (V/Relay)
May 15th 12:00-2:00 p.m. - Eisenhower Center, 4425 W. Woolworth Ave, Milwaukee - contact Monet Poole 353-8480 (V/Relay)
Presented by Cindy Bentley from People First Wisconsin and Members of the Consumer Caucus (ARC Milwaukee)
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES
In recognition of the more than nine million parents with disabilities in the U.S. and their families, Through the Looking Glass (TLG), a non-profit organization, is pleased to announce the 2006 College Scholarship Fund specifically for graduating high school seniors who have parents with disabilities. Scholarships funds are available to graduating high school students who:
1. demonstrate academic and personal achievement;
2. have grown up with at least one parent with a disability; and
3. will be a high school graduate or graduating senior by Summer 2006
Up to ten separate $1,000 awards will be given out in Summer 2006. More information and application forms are available on Through the Looking Glass' website: www.lookingglass.org Forms may also be requested by calling 1-800-644-2666 (V/Relay).
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 Alie at 414-291-7520 (V/TTY) or akriofske@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 Alie 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)