New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.Handi-NEWS and NOTES announced that a transfer of administrative management of Transit Plus was approved by the Milwaukee County Board and the County Executive. Previous management of the program was directed by the Department of Public Works. It will now be directed by the Milwaukee Transport Service, which is the manager of the Milwaukee County Transit System. The new Director of Transit Plus is Carmela Peot. The offices and telephone numbers will remain the same for now. Clients and agencies will receive information regarding changes to the program in the new year.
Society's Assets is celebrating National Home Care Month during November and has a new website for SAI Home Health Care. The website is http://www.saihomehealthcare.org. The site contains information concerning their services, specialty programs, Q&A, office locations and funding sources.
Fishing Has No Boundaries, Inc. has announced a new Wisconsin Chapter, the Chippewa Valley Chapter. Their event is on September 16th and 17th of 2000 and will be held on Lake Wissota. For more information on the event visit their website at http://www.fhnbinc.org or send an e-mail to fhnbinc@win.bright.net.
Society's Assets has announced the Technology Expo to be held Friday, October 29, 1999, at the Regency Mall in Racine, Wisconsin. The Technology Expo will consist of suppliers and providers of assistive technology and adaptive equipment. New events and activities are planned for this years event. For more information or to receive an exhibitor's registration packet, call (414) 637-9128.
The 1999-2001 budget passed in the legislature on October 6th and was sent to Governor Tommy G. Thompson for action. The enrolled bill (the version which passed the legislature) is available as well as the Legislative Fiscal Bureau's comparative summary of the budget as it was passed by the assembly, the senate, and adopted by the conference committee. It is helpful in analyzing the enrolled bill. The LFB Informational Papers for the 1999 session are also available.
Governor Tommy G. Thompson signed the 1999-2001 budget as 1999 Wisconsin Act 9 on October 27. The act is available in word searchable format (Folio), as well as Adobe Acrobat™, which can be printed or downloaded. The governor's veto message is available at the Department of Administration's Website. The governor also called a special session beginning October 27 to consider "creating a tax rebate for individuals, repealing the school property tax rent credit and reducing the amount that is available under the school levy tax credit". The special session was necessitated by vetoes the governor made to the budget act.
To view these documents or to find out more information visit The Wisconsin Legislature. If you want to voice your opinion or more information, contact the legislative hotline at 1-800-362-9472 (V/TTY).
Joe's Run will be held on Saturday, October 2, 1999 at the Milwaukee Mile Race Track at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. It will include running, walking, in-line skating, and wheelchair rolling. For more information or to register contact (414) 329-4500. Benefits from the race will go to United Cerebral Palsy.
Check out the article in Advocacy Action News by Independence First concerning the state budget. The article claims it is still very important to contact your state Representatives concerning the budget to let them know your feelings about Long Term Care issues and the state budget commitment for such programs as the Community Option Program (COP), Medical Assistance Person Care Rates, Assistive Technology and transportation. For more information, a list of the state representatives that are on the Budget Committee and how to contact them, contact info@independencefirst.org.
Independence First has announced the fall schedule of classes and registration has begun. The classes are on Tuesdays from 1:00PM to 3:30PM. The classes begin August 31st and end on November 30th. The classes include Self/Disability Awareness, Community Resources, Personal Health, Time Management, AIDS, Assistive Technology and more. For more information on the class schedule, please contact Lonnie McFadden at (414) 291-7520 or e-mail at lonnie@independencefirst.org.
Abilities Expo will be held July 31st, 11:00am till 6:00pm, July 31st, 10:00am till 5:00pm and August 1st, 11:00am till 5:00pm. The Abilities Expo will include assisted living products and services, a conference program for issues impacting people with disabilities and special features, such as a computer resource center and arts, entertainment and sports. It is being held at the Rosemont Convention Center. For more information for attendees or exhibitors, visit their site or call toll free (800) 385-3085.
Independence First has established a complaint voice mailbox (291-7520, ext.410) to record and track complaints with the service. They are requesting the date, time, and problem or complaint. Also, they are looking for test riders, who will receive training and $10.00 per hour for up to 20 hours a month, to report on the the service of Transit Plus. For more information, please contact Karen Avery at (414) 291-7520.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is holding its biennial review of the
Universal Service Fund rules in the Wis. Admin. Code ch. PSC 160 1-AC-1666. The PSC held
hearings on April 6, 1999 and May 11, 1999 concerning the use of this fund. If you have
applied for the Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP), you know that the
value of the vouchers can range from $200 to $6,700 depending on the type of disability
being accommodated.
See the recommendations from the letter NHU sent to the Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin concerning the use of this fund. NHU's recommendations
to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin concerning the rules governing the Universal
Service Fund.
You can still send comments on the use of this fund to the Public Service Commission. For
how to write to the PSC, see the NHU Editorial, Public Service
Commission of Wisconsin continues to hold hearing for the biennial review of the Universal
Service Fund Rules.
Milwaukee's Summertime Ethnic Festivals have been announced as follows:
Asian Moon Festival June 11th - June 13th,
Polish Fest June 18th - June 20th,
Bastille Days July 8th - July 11th,
Festa Italiana July 15th - July 18th,
German Fest July 23rd - July 25th,
African World Fest July 30th - August 1st,
Irish Fest August 19th - August 22nd,
Mexican Fiesta August 27th - August 29th,
Indian Summer Festival September 10th -September 12th.
All festivals are held at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park, except Bastille Days which is held at the Cathedral Square Park. Many of the festivals offer free admission for persons with disabilities and other discounts. For more information contact the Milwaukee County Commission For Persons with Disabilities at (414) 278-3932 (Voice), (414) 278-3937 (TDD), and (414) 278-3939 (Fax).
Also, Summerfest has updated their web site for 1999. Summerfest is being held at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park June 24th - July 4th. The site contains information on tickets, admission promotions, transportation and more.
Attend Internet Learning Day on Saturday, June 5, 1999 (9am - 3pm), at the Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union. Free admission and parking.
This event features seminars ranging from the basics to education, travel and on line investing. There will be hands-on exhibits from the five sponsors: ExecPC, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Midwest Express Airlines, Firstar and Marquette University, in addition to eight other participating organizations.
Pre-register on line at www.learning day.execpc.com.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is building a new accessible cabin. The cabin is geared towards people with a variety of disabilities and is not limited to the severely disabled as the other accessible cabins in the state. The cabin will be built in June and will open in July of this year. The cabin will be 13' X 13' in size and will contain a bunk, fold down table, electric and possible air conditioning for those with respiratory problems. For more information on the camping fee or to request an application, contact Copper Falls State Park, RR1 Box 17AA, Mellen, Wisconsin 54546, (715) 274-5123.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is holding its biennial review of the Universal Service Fund rules in the Wis. Admin. Code ch. PSC 160 1-AC-1666. The PSC held hearing on April 6, 1999 and just gave notice that they will continue hearing May 11, 1999 at 9:00 A.M. concerning the use of this fund. If you have applied for the Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP), you know that the value of the vouchers can range from $200 to $6,700 depending on the type of disability being accommodated. If you would like to send comment on these rules to the Public Service Commission, see the NHU Editorial: Public Service Commission of Wisconsin continues to hold hearing for the biennial review of the Universal Service Fund Rules.
Independence First Recreation events for April and May have been announced. Wheelchair Football and Floor Hockey for Youth will be held April 15, 22, and 29, and May 6, 13, 20, and 27. Wheelchair Ice Hockey will be held April 7, 14, 21, and 28, and May 5, 12, 19, and 26. For more information contact Kathy Mohar at (414) 291-7520.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to apply to serve on the Disabled Advisory Council (DAC). There is one vacancy on the nine person council, which will advise the DNR on hunting and fishing for people with disabilities and offer input on other public programs and services concerning disability issues. If you have knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and disability issues, and you are interested in applying, call or write:
Anthonette Gilpatrick, (608) 267-7490 V
or
Julie Amakobe (608) 267-7601 V, (608) 267 2752 TTY,
Address:
DNR,
101 S. Webster St., AD-5,
Madison, WI 53707.
The deadline for applying for this vacancy is by April 30, 1999. However, the DNR will keep your application on file for future openings on the DAC. If you need an alternate format of the application, be sure to request it.
Disability Awareness Day is being held on April 27, 1999. It will be held in Madison, Wisconsin and will kick off at 12:00pm with a rally at the State Capital.
Independence Highway is offering information on the Top Nine Issues for 1999. These issues are State and Federal issues that affect disabled residents in Wisconsin. Information includes issue statement, background, position, and supporting organizations for each Federal and State issue. The information can also be obtained by contacting Julie Alexander of Independence First at (414) 291-7520.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation has created a renewal process for disability identification cards. Recertification notices are sent out in the mail to card holders and include a insert that requires verification from a health practitioner. Once the verification and recertification notice are completed and returned, the individual will receive stickers valid for four years. Prior to this change, there was no renewal process for disability identification cards.
Wisconsin Relay System is changing due to Hamilton Telecommunications entering into a subcontract agreement with Society's Assets. Hamilton will be operating the Wisconsin Relay center and there are new numbers for users to know: Accessing the system (800) 947-6644 Voice, (800) 947-3529 TTY/VCO/HCO, (800) 272-1773 ASCII; Customer Service (800) 283-9877 TTY, (800) 395-9877 Voice. There are two new services, Spanish to Spanish and Speech to Speech. Spanish to Spanish allows users to communicate in Spanish to other users. Speech to Speech allows users to speak their messages and have a communication assistant repeat the message for clarity. The new numbers for those services are Spanish to Spanish at (800) 833-7813 and Speech to Speech at (800) 833-7637.
Four legislative issues were announced in Independently Speaking published by MCIL of Saint Paul, MN. These issues are those that the CIL intends to advocate in 1999.
1. MCIL, along with other Minnesota CIL's will be advocating for more state fiscal support for CIL's in the state of Minnesota.
2. MCIL will continue to advocate for improved and more accessible metro mobility service.
3. MCIL will continue to work with the MN leadership committee, The Economic Development and International Trade Committee, to advocate for affordable, accessible housing in promoting the passage of the "Visibility" standard which creates minimum standards of accessibility for all new housing built with state or federal money.
4. MCIL will continue to advocate for PAS services that are directed and controlled by consumers. Managed care is placing consumer control in jeopardy.
Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) announced that the MN Housing Finance Agency and the Federal National Mortgage Association are developing an accessible home mortgage demonstration that will begin in the St. Paul area in midwinter, 1999. This project will be directed at financial concerns for people with disabilities. The MHFA will also organize a library on accessible building and remodeling and the materials will be included in the Resource Library of MCIL. Check out this material by calling MCIL at (651)646-8342.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a state park & campground directory on-line and will be accepting reservations for accessible cabins and other campsites for 1999. The DNR is implementing a new paper-less reservation system for the family and outdoor campsites. However, the cabins for people with disabilities will not be included in the automated central reservation system. For cabin reservation forms (PDF format), visit their site or contact 888-WI-Parks (888-947-2757). Otherwise, you can call the park you wish to visit. Kettle Moraine State Forest, 414-594-6200 V/TTY; Mirror Lake State Park, 608-254-2333 V/TTY; Potawatomi State Park, 920-746-2890 V or 920-492-5812 TTY.
Independence First sports schedule is out for the winter/spring: Adaptive downhill skiing begins Thursday evening January 7th at 5:30. The cost is $15.00 which includes a lift ticket and a skiing lesson. Youth Wheelchair Basketball is Tuesdays at 7-8pm in January and February at Robinwood School in Franklin. Adult Wheelchair Football is Mondays at 7-9pm in February and March. Wheelchair Ice Hockey is Wednesdays at 6:30-7:15pm (youth) and 7:15 - 8:00 (adults) in April and May. For more information, contact Kathy Mohar at 414-291-7530, Ext. 302.
Independence First can now be aided in its fund raising efforts by the Pick ‘n Save “We Care” program. Advantage Saver’s Club card holders can designate up to three different authorized nonprofit organizations to receive credit for purchases. The Independence First’s identification number is 363000 and should be noted on the application form or if you already have a card, you must complete a change form at the service counter at Pick ‘n Save. For more information or any questions, contact Frank Broder at (414) 291-7520, Ext. 204.
Wisconsin Partnership Program will be underway in 1999. HCFA has approved Wisconsin’s dual waiver request. The dual waivers are anticipated in early 1999 and contractors will then receive a comprehensive Medicaid capitation payment from Wisconsin and a comprehensive Medicare capitation from the Federal HCFA. This will provide the delivery of health care services to the disabled and handicapped in Wisconsin. For more information visit the Department of Health and Family Services.
Millevolte Clay Studios at 133 E. Capitol Drive in Hartland, Wisconsin offers Adaptive Clay Classes for people of all ages that have developmental or physical disabilities. Classes are on Saturday, January 9 and 16, February 13 and 20, and March 13 and 20 from 10:00AM to 11:30AM. The cost is $15 per class. For more information or to register, call Marlene at (414) 367-9994.
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