New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.There is a crisis in Wisconsin. One of the most severe budget crisis in state history could make a devestating impact on The Family Support Program and in turn on the families that rely on this program to keep their children with disabilities home with and receiving quality care. In an effort to raise awareness of this funding crisis, a group of dedicated parents and advocates have reinvigorated the “No Place Like Home” campaign.
If you have received help from the Family Support Program in the past, are currently receiving help or are on a waiting list, please consider joining this advocacy effort. Send a photo of your child and family along with your story to: Michelle Sturz at 588 Garfield Avenue, Evansville, WI 53536 or via email at msturz@charter.net. Make certain to describe how your family has benefited from the Family Support Program, or how you think the program could change your life if you received assistance. Your story will be shared with key legislators in the spring as they make critical budget decisions. When you send in your story, please complete and send a cover form located on the DAWN web site at: www.dawninfo.org/advocacy/issues/famsupport/FAMILY_FORM.PDF.
If you have questions about this effort, call Nancy Olson at (715) 355-8458 or Liz Hecht at (608) 263-7148. For information about the Family Support Program, visit the DAWN web site at www.dawninfo.org/advocacy/issues/fam_support.cfm.
The doors to the city of Milwaukee's first "green" public housing unit are now open. Located at 1818 W. Juneau Avenue, Highland Gardens features a "green" roof consisting of a number of plastic modules planted with sedum and native grasses that will absorb rainwater and help insulate the building. In addition to diverting 85 percent of rain water from the sewers, the roof will also add 50 percent to the longevity of the roof, and result in a 20 percent reduction in the building's heating and cooling costs. The 114-unit complex features a number of accessible features and incorporates universal design standards that will allow for easy adaptation that can meet the needs of all people with disabilities.
The Universal Playground Project was completed in May 2004 through the efforts of a Fox Cities group of residents who joined together to meet the community need for a fully accessible playground facility. First inspired by Appleton resident Amy Perry, who dreamed of the day she could use a playground with her daughters from her wheelchair, planning and fundraising for the project began as a grassroots effort in late 2001. While the playground, which features rubberized surfacing, wide ramps, and specially designed play units, provides a wonderful place for children with disabilities to play without barriers, it also offers a place for children with and without disabilities to play with and learn from one another. The playground is located at Memorial Park in Appleton and is the only community playground of this type that exists in the Fox Cities area. For more information, visit www.universalplayground.org/.
The Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy has set up a toll-free Election Support Line for Wisconsin voters with disabilities. This support line is staffed now through Election Day on November 2nd from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition to offering general voting information, the Support Line also offers callers an opportunity to report voting violations. Contact the Voter Support Line today at (800) 928-8778.
Spina Bifida of Wisconsin (SBAWI) is seeking siblings of a person with Spina Bifida to participate in an essay project. They are asked to reflect on their experiences as a sibling, sharing their challenges, joys and advice. Essays will be compiled for handout to other siblings. The deadline for submission is November 1, 2004. Essays can be sent to SBAWI, Attn: Sibling Stories, 830 N. 109th Street, Suite 6, Wuawatosa, WI 53226. They may also be e-mailed to sbawi@sbawi.org.
Applications are now being accepted for Wisconsin's Home Energy Assistance Program. This program, administered through the Energy Assistance Bureau, within the Wisconsin Division of Energy, offers two types of assistance. The first offers a one-time payment to pay a portion of the heating bill, while the second makes one payment per 3 payments from the approved household over a 12-month period. Strict income guidelines do apply. The approval process is competitive so get your application in as soon as possible for consideration. For more information, call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947).
UW-Milwaukee, along with nine community partners, has developed an innovative energy efficient home using economical and environmentally sustainable elements. According to Project Director, Stan Wrzeski, "the prototype home, located at 726 W. Bruce Street in Milwaukee, will be healthier, more durable, and cheaper to operate and maintain than the current housing stock. It also will be a model for accessibility and inexpensive to adapt for people with disabilities." The home, expected to be completed in fall 2004, will be used by Independence First, a Milwaukee-based Center for Independent Living, to offer transitional living to adults with disabilities. The home is designed to benefit those that are either moving back into the community from nursing homes or those that have sustained traumatic illnesses or injuries and are waiting for long-term accessible housing. To learn more about this innovative home, contact Independence First at (414) 291-7520.
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities (WCDD) is seeking a few talented student leaders who want their school to be better place for students with disabilities. They have grants of between $250 and $500 to give out to students who want to create a project to improve their schools for students with disabilities. Chosen students can use the grants to educate others on the vast and unique abilities that students with disabilities have to offer. In order to apply for a grant, a team needs to be formed to include at least one student leader with a disability and one faculty support person. In addition, they encourage you to involve other students, either with or without disabilities, to make your project a success. Applications for grants are due by October 15, 2004. Applications can be downloaded from the WCDD website at www.wcdd.org/grants_contracts/teen_grants.cfm. If you have questions or need assistance on your application, please call Kathryn Mazack at (608) 266-5395.
The North American Squirrel Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities gain access to hunting and fishing opportunities, recently launched an accessible Pontoon Boat off the north shore of Lake Onalaska. The boat is available to people with disabilities to use free of charge. To check on the boat's availability and to reserve the boat, visit the NASA organization website at http://www.nasasquirrel.org/ or call Tony, the organization's president at (608) 781-3636.
The Wisconsin Bureau of Developmental Disabilities is implementing a new "money follows the person" initiative aimed at affording individuals living in privately operated institutions expanded access to community placements. The initiative is designed to implement revisions in state law that require persons with Developmental Disabilities be placed in the least restrictive settings. Starting on January 1, 2005, institutions and nursing homes must notify the county of residence of the application for admission within 5 days. The county will then have 120 days to develop a community placement plan for that individual. This initiative will provide a big boost to Wisconsin's community reintegration movement. For more information, visit the ICF-MR Initiative Home Page at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/bdds/icfmr/.
The Wisconsin Council of the Blind is now offering FREE distance learning classes which focus on computer skills. The classes, which are opened to all Wisconsin residents who are blind or visually impaired, run from two to four weeks, meeting once a week. Class topics include:
Classes will be scheduled when four or more students have requested the course. For more information, contact Betsy at the Council via phone at (800) 783-5213 or via e-mail at mailto:betsy@wcblind.org.
Governor Jim Doyle announced a multi-million dollar expansion of WisLoan, Wisconsin's program that provides low-interest loans to help residents with disabilities purchase assistive technology.
"I'm pleased that new funding became available to expand WisLoan's ability to assist our residents with disabilities," said Gov. Doyle. "The loans can be used to help purchase needed items ranging from hearing aids to accessible vans."
IndependenceFirst, an Independent Living Center in Milwaukee that manages the statewide program, was awarded $2,011,153 in federal funds this month. This award, plus required matching funds provided by IndependenceFirst, will provide enough collateral to allow up to $15 million in additional loans to be provided statewide, Gov. Doyle said. It will also enable the program to enhance services to applicants, including assistance in understanding health insurance benefits, selecting equipment, and follow-up support after the equipment arrives.
Under the new grant, the department will provide WisLoan program oversight, while IndependenceFirst will serve as lead agency to manage implementation of the loans. All eight Independent Living Centers throughout the state will take loan applications, and M&I Bank will process the loans.
Information and applications for WisLoan can be obtained by calling toll free 1-877-463-3778 Voice/TTY.
This booklet, published by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, is intended for Medicaid and BadgerCare recipients, their caregivers and health care providers who are considering augmentative communication devices, accessories and services. In an easy to follow question and answer format, this booklet addresses such questions as "What makes an augentative communication device medically necessary?" and "What is needed to request augmentative communication devices and accessories through Wisconsin Medicaid?" This booklet can be accessed on-line at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/updates/2004/2004pdfs/2004-25.pdf.
The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services is planning to reorganize its Division of Disability and Elder Services. Proposed plans call for the addition of a Long-term Support sub-division, which would include three bureaus:
This reorganization is gearing the department up for transitioning to a Managed Care System of providing long-term care. According to the June 2004 newsletter published by ARC Wisconsin, "developmental disability advocates are concerned that without a Bureau with the term 'developmental disability' in the title, it will be difficult for people with disabilities and those who care for them to efficiently navigate the state maze of human services." ARC Wisconsin is working with representatives of the Department on this issue. If you have any questions about the reorganization and how it will affect any services you may receive, please call ARC Wisconsin at (877) 272-8400 (Toll Free) or e-mail arcw@chorus.net.
Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc. is currently working on a project to create more community garden space for people with disabilities and the elderly. Via the project they hope to encourage community gardens to install raised garden beds so to enable people with physical disabilities greater access and comfort while gardening. If gardening in a raised bed sounds like a great way to spend your summer, the folks at the Coalition need to hear from you! Please contact Ashleigh or Steve at (608) 246-4730 ext. 238 or via email at growedibleflowers@yahoo.com.
Excerpted from Prescription Drug Resource Center website.
Just across the border, citizens in Canada can walk into their corner drugstore and buy the same safe prescriptions we have here, but at a fraction of the price. But too many citizens of this country are forced to make unbearable choices between food and medicine. If the federal government isn’t willing to take on the drug companies and fight for more affordable prices, states like Wisconsin will have to lead the way. The Prescription Drug Resource Center gives our citizens the ability to buy certain prescriptions at significantly lower prices directly from Canadian pharmacies that our state has visited and found to be safe, reputable, and reliable. It also provides information about SeniorCare, the new Medicare drug benefit, and other programs that may be an option for you. The goal is to let consumers make an informed choice among all of the available options - including local pharmacies, lower price generics available domestically, and safe Canadian pharmacies. Visit this resource center on-line at www.drugsavings.wi.gov/.
IndependenceFirst, a Center for Independent Living serving Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties in Wisconsin is "desperately seeking" people with disabilities to:
They support several Advocacy Teams and would like you to join them. Current topics of interest include accessibility, mental health, employment, housing, assistive technology, long term care and deaf/hard of hearing. If you would like to work towards change for yourself and the thousands of other Wisconsin residents with disabilities, please call Independence First at (414) 291-7520.
In an effort to give a face to the more than 11,000 people waiting for disability services in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Waiting List Initiative and the Family Support Initiative are collaborating on an effort to develop a collection of real life waiting list stories from families throughout Wisconsin. This collection will serve as a tool to educate government policy makers about the impact this waiting list has on the families and society as a whole. According to ARC-Wisconsin, "officials often see waiting lists as just numbers. The stories collected will remind officials that every one of those "numbers" represents an individual and a family that is struggling with the challenges facing people with disabilities." If you would like to share your story, please contact ARC-WI toll-free at (877) 272-8400 to request a form, or visit them on the web at http://www.arc-wisconsin.org/.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering department is conducting a study in support of their effort to research advancements in automotive restraints for wheelchairs. Please fill out this web-based research survey if you, a family member, or someone to whom you provide personal assistant services is a wheelchair user who rides in motor vehicles and remains seated in the wheelchair while in transit either some or all of the time. The survey’s purpose is to gather information from wheelchair users about their seat belt habits and opinions about safety, comfort and ease of use related to seat belt use. The survey should take about 5-7 minutes to complete. To complete the survey, visit www.cae.wisc.edu/~jeffreyd/survey.shtml.
Have you been wondering what it would be like to have the freedom to drive? If learning to drive is a goal you'd like to achieve, contact Drive Safe Midwest (DSM). They offer a comprehensive driver evaluation program for people with disabilities. The evaluation process will determine the extent of any disability and how it might impact the ability to drive safely. Their evaluation is intended to address the needs of clients with a wide range of physical, visual and/or cognitive impairments. Upon completion of an evaluation, DSM will provide a complete report of client skill level and specifications of any adaptive equipment needed. For more information, call (414) 688-1081.
Milwaukee Recreation offers a number of exciting programs for people with disabilities living in the Greater Milwaukee area. The next group of classes are scheduled to begin in late April. Activities include aerobics, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, beauty basics, dance instruction, jewelry making, swim instruction, and much more. There are also very practical and informative classes being offered, such as Life Skills for Independence. Minimal fees apply. The registration deadline is April 16, 2004. To learn of class times and dates, call (414) 647-6065 or e-mail therapeutic@milwaukeerecreation.net.
Tuesday, April 6, 2004 is your opportunity to to ensure your future County Executive, Mayor, Board of Supervisors and Alderperson are people who represent your needs and concerns. Politicians respond to groups who are visible, vocal and more importantly to those who vote. The Spring Election on April 6th is your opportunity to be seen and heard. If possible, instead of completing an absentee ballot, visit the polling place in person to cast your vote. Your presence at the polling place will remind those involved in the electoral process of the importance of offering an accessible polling place. If you have transportation concerns, agencies involved in the People Can't Wait Coalition are organizing transportation to the polls on election day. To arrange your transportation, call Carrie Klump or Julie Lauer of Arc Milwaukee at (414) 774-6255. When casting your vote the Milwaukee County Office for Persons with Disabilities asks that you assess the accessibility of the polling place. The County has developed a Polling Place Accessibility Survey. If you plan to cast your vote at a polling place, please request a survey for completion. To request a survey, contact the County Office for Persons with Disabilities at (414) 278-3932 (Voice) or (414) 278-3937 (TDD).
People Can't Wait Milwaukee Coalition and Tap the Potential Disability Awareness Coalition will be hosting a candidates forum on Thursday, March 11, 2004 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at Wil-O-Way Underwood, located at 10602 W. Underwood Parkway in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The forum will feature the two finalists in the Milwaukee County Executive race and will address the issues most important to Milwaukee citizens with disabilities and their families. Registration will begin at 11:30. For more information or to request an accommodation, call ARC Milwaukee at (414) 774-6255.
Society's Assets is now accepting applications for their 2004 Scholarship Awards Program available to students with disabilities who are currently or plan to pursue a post-secondary degree in 2004. The program awards five scholarships ranging from $500 to $5000. Applicants must reside in Racine, Kenosha, Walworth, Rock or Jefferson county. Judging is based on academic record, extracurricular activities and awards, a personal essay and recommendations. For more information, call (262) 637-9128.
 |
Home / Disability News / NHU Quarterly Newsletter |
| Share Your Knowledge! / NHU Community Discussion Board / E-mail Us | |
| About NHU / Announcements and Features / Contribute / What's New? / Site Plan |