A scene of people with various disabilities gathered around a blue lake, enjoying their home, community, the out-of-doors, health, recreation, housing, transportation and education with an accessible path for them to a high mountain and large yellow sun on the horizon.  New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.


Disability News


Hot Off the Press!


Wisconsin

New Sign September 2008 - Milwaukee County, Wisconsin - Plan to attend the public hearing for the Milwaukee County 2009 Budget

At 7 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2008 the County Board will hold a public hearing on the County Executive’s 2009 Recommended Budget in the main hall of the Washington Park Senion Center at 4420 West Vliet Street in Milwaukee. This is your opportunity to learn more about the funding priorities and to express your concerns over inadequately funded programs and services.

New Sign September 2008 - Milwaukee County, Wisconsin - Free Election Day paratransit rides for Milwaukee County voters with disabilities

The Milwaukee County Commission for Persons with Disabilities is sponsoring rountrip Transit Express and First Transit rides to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008 for Milwaukee County residents with disabilities. When you call to schedule your ride, make sure you mention that you are going to vote. The typical ride fee will be waived. Please take advantage of this opportunity to make your voice heard on Election Day!

August 6, 2008 - Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin - Computer classes for individuals with disabilities are being offered by the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay

United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay has announced a computer class, "Introduction to Word," for individuals with disabilities. The classes, which are $15 for a four-week session from August 6 through August 27, 2008, will be offered on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the church computer lab. Classes are intended to provide educational development, social stimulation, and personal growth experiences. Prior to enrollment, students will have an opportunity to discuss their individual needs with the instructor. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please call (414) 964-2424.

July 11, 2008 - National Juried Exhibition for Young Artists with Disabilities, Ages 16-25, Artwork sought from young artists with disabilities

VSA Arts and Volkswagen of America is hosting an art competition, for young artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, living within the U.S. Fifteen finalists will be awarded a total of $60,000 during an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill and artwork will be displayed in a nation-wide touring exhibit that will debut at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

This years theme is based on the quote, "Contemporary art challenges us…it broadens our horizons. It asks us to think beyond the limits of conventional wisdom." - Eli Broad. Both representational and abstract work will be accepted. Artwork may illustrate actual aspects of what signals your creative motivations such as the physical world or personal discoveries. Abstract work that relates to feelings or emotions is also encouraged. Work might also reflect your experience of living with a disability and its role in shaping or transforming your work. Art must be an original work that has been completed in the last 3 years. Eligible media includes: paintings, drawings, fine art prints, photography, computer generated prints, and mixed media, virtually any media that may be represented in two-dimensions and should not exceed 60 inches in either direction. Sculpture and time-based media (video, film etc.) will also be considered. Sculpture should not exceed 24 inches in any direction.There is no fee to apply. Each applicant must complete the submission process online with a computer.

For additional information and entry instructions, visit the VSA website at www.vsarts.org/PreBuilt/showcase/gallery/exhibits/vw/current/index.html or contact WESTAF, at 1-888-562-7232 or email cafe@westaf.org.

June 26 - July 6, 2008 - Summerfest - a refreshingly disability-friendly entertainment venue on Milwaukee's lakefront

Summerfest has long been recognized for the unique blend of entertainment and cuisine offered throughout their early summer music festival. What may have gone widely unrecognized however, is their dedication to accessibility.

In 1996, Summerfest, in an effort to meet the accessibility provisions of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), formed the Summerfest ADA Task Force. The task force is comprised of local disability advocates that are dedicated to making the home of Summerfest, Henry Maier Festival Park, more accessible every year.

In an effort to address the issue of accessibility head on, the Task Force has developed several subcommittees, each of which specializes in addressing disability specific barriers, including those related to mobility, visual, and hearing disabilities. The heads of each subcommittee, all of which have first hand experience with disability, carefully review potential obstacles and bring them to the attention of the task force.

Of course comments are also sought from Summerfest patrons with disabilities. Patrons may identify barriers via Complaint Forms, available at any information booth throughout the Summerfest grounds. Each complaint is carefully reviewed and considered in developing a plan of action.

Following are just a few of the accessible features that Summerfest has to offer their patrons with disabilities:

Summer - 2008 - Wisconsin - Milwaukee's Summertime East-Side Festivals

The following is a list of festivals, dates of festivals, location of festivals and contact information:

April 2008 - Therapeutic horseback riding programs

Therapeutic horseback riding is very beneficial in exercise and socialization for people with disabilities. To find therapeutic horseback riding programs in Southeastern Wisconsin, click on the following North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Inc.

April 2008 - Title 19 and Managed Care: Assistance is available

Over the past 2 years, the State of Wisconsin has been enrolling SSI beneficiaries into Managed Care Organizations (MCO). While beneficiaries are still on Title 19 (Medicaid), they must go through Managed Care to receive medical care. In response to Medicaid consumer's concerns about navigating the new Managed Care system, the SSI Managed Care External Advocacy Project was created. The project is designed to assist with such issues as continuity of care, prior authorizations, service terminations, specialty care referrals, and language and transportation issues, among other issues. Advocates will assist the enrollee in communicating with the MCO, will explain MCO and state decisions, file complaints/grievances on behalf of the enrollee and provide representation at hearings, as needed. If you feel you would benefit from this service, contact the Advocacy Project at (414) 773-4646 or toll free at (800) 708-3034. Ask for Julie at extension 11 or Tracy at extension 23.

April 2008 - New Horizons Un-Limited Invites You! - Accessible Cabins Dedications and Openings - Wisconsin State Parks

The following newly constructed Accessible Cabins will be free and open to the public for their Open House. For each Open House, check in at their Park Office, let them know you are there for the Accessible Cabin Open House and they will grant you a day pass. Tour the new accessible cabins! Explore the new accessible paths! Join us for the dedications and refreshments!

If there are more than 30 people in your party, please rvsp the individual State Park listed below before their Open House. Be sure to dress appropriate for the state park and the weather, as activities will be outdoors and grounds can be wet in April.

April 12, 2008 - Open House/Dedication for Wisconsin's 7th Fully Accessible Cabin
Richard Bong State Recreation Area
26313 Burlington Road
Kansasville, Wisconsin (262) 878-5600

10am – Dedication at the Amphitheater, If it rains -Molinaro Nature Center
11am - Shelter #3 for Food & Music
- Shuttle to Cabin in groups of 20

April 25, 2008 - Open House/Dedication for Wisconsin's 6th Fully Accessible Cabin
Kohler-Andrae State Parks
1020 Beach Park Lane
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
(920) 421-4082

1-3 pm - Cabin Open House
3 pm - Dedication at Cabin
3:30-4:30 pm - Social, Refreshments Sanderling Nature Center

February 2008 - BadgerCare Plus gives all Wisconsin children and others access to health care

BadgerCare Plus is the new and improved health care program for children and families in Wisconsin. This new program is available to all children, regardless of family income. BadgerCare Plus is also open to:

  • Pregnant women (up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) - $51,510 for a family of three);
  • Parents and caretakers at higher income levels (up to 200% of the FPL - $34,340 for a family of three);
  • Young adults who are leaving foster care when they turn 18 (regardless of income);
  • Parents whose child/children are in foster care and have a reunification plan in place (up to 200% of the federal poverty level - $34,340 for a Family of Three); and,
  • Farm families and other families who are self-employed may be eligible under BadgerCare Plus if their income is under 200% of the FPL ($34,340 for a Family of Three).

    BadgerCare Plus has two benefit plans: the Standard Plan and the Benchmark Plan. The plan you are in depends on your income. Most families with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (which is $35,199.96 annual income for a family of three) will be in the Standard Plan. Families with incomes above 200% of the Federal Poverty Level will be in the Benchmark Plan.

    If you are currently enrolled in family Medicaid, BadgerCare, or Healthy Start, you will be enrolled automatically. If you are in an HMO now, you will not have to change your HMO. The Standard Plan has the same benefits you currently have.

  • Co-payments for health care services will range from $.50 to $3.00.
  • There are no co-payments for well child checkups (HealthCheck) or other preventive services.

    The new Benchmark Plan is for families with higher incomes and self-employed families, including farm families.

  • Some premiums will apply.
  • Co-payments for health care services range from $5.00 for prescription drugs and $100.00 for a hospital stay.
  • There are no co-payments for well child checkups (HealthCheck) or other preventive services.

    BadgerCare Plus is designed for people who do not currently have access to health insurance. It is not designed to replace private insurance. There are rules in place that do not allow most people to drop their private insurance to participate in BadgerCare Plus. To learn more, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services BadgerCare Plus website at http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/badgercareplus/.

    January 2008 - Kohler-Andrae State Park and Richard Bong State Recreation Area Now Accepting Accessible Cabin Reservations

    Wisconsin's newest wheelchair accessible cabins at Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan and Richard Bong State Recreation Area near Burlington are now accepting reservations for the 2008 season. These new wheelchair accessible cabins add to the five currently available in the Wisconsin State Park System.

    In addition to the Kohler-Andrae and Richard Bong cabins, modern cabins are also available at Mirror Lake, Buckhorn, High Cliff, and Potawatami state parks and Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit. Rustic, one-room cabins are available at Copper Falls and Blue Mound state parks.

    The cabins are available for use exclusively by people whose physical disabilities make use of traditional camping facilities very difficult or unlikely. The rental fee is $30.00 per night plus a $4.00 reservation fee. The cabins are available from May 1 through October 15. Because of high demand, reservations are limited to 4 nights per year, per location. Preference will be given to those persons with a permanent, severe physical disability, who require a wheelchair as sole means of mobility and require assistance with personal care needs. Those with less severe disabilities will be considered after February 1st.

    Reservation applications and details about each cabin are available on the DNR website by visiting dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/access/bigcabin.html.

    To learn more about these new cabins, contact the Kohler-Andrae State Park office at (920) 451-4080 and the Richard Bong State Recreation Area office at (262) 878-5606.

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