Grsaphic with a black background with the Disability Pride Month flag in different colors and on a diagonal with the words July Is Disability Pride Month in white font.

July is Disability Pride Awareness Month

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July. It marks the anniversary of the ADA, and celebrates landmark legislation that has helped to break down societal barriers. Inclusion in everything from employment to sidewalks, should be a non-negotiable fundamental right. Disability Pride Madison (DPM) will be hosting Disability Pride Festival on Jul 27, 2024 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Click here for more information. Click here, fo more info.

Developing Social Skills to Manage Social Anxiety: A Practical Guide

Social anxiety can be debilitating, making everyday interactions challenging and stressful. Building social skills can play a crucial role in reducing anxiety and improving confidence. Here is a practical guide:

Black and White photograph of the capital dome in wintertime

Election 2024: Wisconsinites wield the power…let’s put in the work

For the past several United States elections, attention has turned to Wisconsinites. We are neither a Blue or Red state; We are purple, and that means that our votes matter. We are difference makers in elections, and candidates know it. Click here, to keep reading how Wisconsin wield's it's political power:

Color photograph of a cute boy with a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

A Story of Being Human: Innovate, A Call for Accessibility

“While birthing Benjamin, my uterus ruptured. I was pushing for a long time and I was in a ton of pain. After having had epidurals in the past, I knew I shouldn’t have been in so much pain. I finally said, “I can’t do this anymore.” They finally agreed to an emergency C-section. As soon as the doctor made the incision, his feet kicked out at her; that’s how they knew that something very bad had happened. Click here, to keep reading Benjamin's story

Color photograph of a handsome, middle aged ma in a bar with a baseball joursey on

A Story of Being Human: Innovate, Adapt, Go For It

When I first went into school they tried to put me into special ed classes, but my mom insisted I be in the regular classroom. I don’t remember a whole lot of grade school, but, as I got older I remember I felt kind of alienated, especially in middle school, because kids at that age are, well, you know, it’s not easy. Click here, to keep reading Nick's story

Color photograph of a young girl playing at the playground

A Story of Being Human: Not fragile, but fierce

Kyla has the hyper-rare combination of Down syndrome and Osteogenesis Imperfecta (commonly known as brittle bone disease; Kyla has the mild form of OI). Through Facebook groups we’ve come across 3 other kids in the world with both conditions.Kyla is a bit of a spitfire, which will serve her well in years to come – we just have to get there first! Click here, to keep reading Kyla's story:

Black and white triptic photo of a couple named Suzanne and Steve.

A Story of Being Human: Love Carries You Through

We’ve been in this house for 40 years. You can’t tell now, but we’re gardeners. Everything around this whole house blooms. And we have a big vegetable garden, green beans and purple beans, cucumbers, eggplant. Now Steve does a lot of it. He had to take over for me. Steve does everything. He does everything that I did before.Click here, to keep reading Suzanne and Steve's story:

Black and White photo of an empty jail wing at a private correctional facility.

National News Highlights

Private companies in Oregon jails must serve inmates equally

The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that private companies providing services to people in Oregon jail custody must abide by federal laws prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations. Click here to continue.

Photo of the element of gold up close and maganified.

Liquid gold’ could bring new hope to multiple sclerosis

Liquid gold’ could bring new hope to multiple sclerosis An experimental medication called CNM-Au8 — a drinkable liquid with gold nanocrystals — has shown promising results in clinical trials in terms of improvements in MS symptoms. Click here to continue.

Photo of two young people with adaptable but stylish clothes on for a black tie affair.

MIAD Design Student Zachary Scharrer makes adaptable clothing for a black tie affair!

Independence First had fun had fun collaborating with @MIAD_edu design student Zachary Scharrer on his capstone project, "Löwe," luxury, bespoke formal garments for users with physical disabilities. Click here to continue.

Photo of the university of texas at arlington pavilion at dusk with warm lights on.

Texas Invests in Special Ed Teachers

The University of Texas at Arlington received 1.25 million in federal funds to help students pursuing degrees in special education. The five-year grant will fund six students per year and cover 100% of in-state tuition, fees and other costs, such as textbooks, housing and child care needs. Click here to continue.

Graphic of the Social Security Administration Seal with the words Social Security Administration in white on a dark blue circular border.

Social Security Expands SSI Rental Subsidy Policy

Good News! Social Security says it's ok to get a discount on rent. In addition to groceries, any discount on rent will not affect a person’s SSI eligibility or payment amount. Click for more info.

Photo of a woman in a wheelchair, in front of a window, with her back to the camera.

Childhood Obesity Doubles the Risk of MS

New research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity in Venice, Italy (12-15 May) shows that having obesity in childhood is associated with a more than doubling of the risk of later developing multiple sclerosis. Click here to continue.

Photo of a disabled employee at work in an office.

Lidocaine may be able to kill certain cancer cells by activating bitter taste receptors

Lidocaine, often used as numbing agent for outpatient medical procedures, activates certain bitter taste receptors through two unique mechanisms that result in cancer cell death, according to researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine. Click here to continue.

Photo of a digital art installation at mercer labs in nyc, in neon blue with an abstract display showing the inner workings in a computer

Mercer Labs Museum in NYC uses Braile in Art Exibit

The New York Times has an op-ed piece on the controversial use of braille in a new art installation, at the Mercer Labs Museum in NYC. Some say it's patronizing, while others say it's inclusive. Either way, people are talking about it. Click here for more info.

Picture of Boy with Down Syndrome, credit wikipedia

National Advocacy Highlights

House of Representatives Introduces and Holds Hearing on the Autism CARES Act

On February 1st, Representative Smith (R-NJ-4) and Representative Cuellar (D-TX-28) introduced the Autism CARES Act of 2024 (H.R. 7213). The bill will continue the CARES Act for another five years with increased funding levels for the programs that were included in the Autism CARES Act of 2019. To read more, click here:

photo of a money (dollars and US coins in different denominations) shown in a savings jar.

Action Needed for the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act

This bill increases resource limits used to determine eligibility for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI is a federal assistance program that provides monthly cash payments to aged, blind, or disabled individuals with limited income and resources. Specifically, the bill increases the resource limits from $2,000 to $10,000 for individuals and from $3,000 to $20,000 for married couples. The bill annually adjusts the limits for inflation. For more details, click here:

photo of a young man in a wheelchair at a work desk in an office

Disability Employment Incentive Act

S.3076 — 118th Congress (2023-2024) This bill expands tax credits and deductions that are available for employers who hire and retain employees with disabilities.With respect to the tax credit for expenditures by eligible small businesses to provide access to disabled individuals, the bill (1) increases the limits that apply to the amount of expenditures that are eligible for the credit, and (2) modifies the gross receipts and full-time employee eligibility criteria for such businesses.For more details, click here:

Wisconsin Advocacy Highlights

Disabled People Should Be Able To Vote At Home

Wisconsin AG @JoshKaulWI, Has said (and argued) that letting disabled people vote electronically at home would create confusion. Why? We let the military and overseas voters do it! Sounds like "ableism" to us. Call and or email Josh Kaul at (608) 266-1221, josh.kaul@state.wi.us

center>

State Assembly Passed 3 Pieces of Legislation Intended To Reduce Truancy

Truancy disproportionately impacts students with disabilities. Students with disabilities may miss school due to chronic medical, mental health, or other conditions related to disability. One bill (AB 1026) prevents grade advancement solely based on total attendance. Click here to read more.

Photo of the prescription Ozempic in a box with Rx label.

Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program -2023 Senate BILL 1101

This bill provides an additional $272,300 in the 2023-24 fiscal year and $684,900 in the 2024-25 fiscal year to the veterans outreach and recovery program. The veterans outreach and recovery program provides outreach, treatment and support to veterans who have a mental health condition or a substance use disorder. Tell your state representativs that you support this bill! Click here to read more.