WRA Newsletter Archive WRA Newsletter, Spring 2003 |
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WRA Newsletter Article 1
President’s Message:
As 2003 is well under way, I suppose that it may be too late to use this occasion to welcome you into the new year! However, I would like to take this opportunity to greet you and share few words about this great organization we share together.The National Rehabilitation Association has been in existence for over 80 years and we continue to adhere to our core values which serve as our guidelines as well as our direction for the future.
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These values include:
- inclusion of all people
- professions in rehabilitation
- visionary leadership
- responsible resource management
- advocacy
- personal & professional enrichment
- relationships built on trust and integrity
Wisconsin has been a leader in the field of rehabilitation for quite some time. We continue to look at new, innovative initiatives to better assist individuals with disabilities in becoming independent in their personal and professional lives. Concepts and services such as benefits counseling, person-centered planning, comprehensive team based approaches to vocational rehabilitation and others continue to improve the informed choice process of citizens as well as keep Wisconsin on the leading edge nationally. I challenge you to explore new pioneering concepts and opportunities as they arise and to keep an open mind. As you see promising practices emerge or have ideas that may lead to positive systems development, voice your opinion and share your ideas with others.
Although we need to adhere to various rules and protocols in order to fulfill our obligations and to provide continuity in services to those we work with, let’s use 2003 to think outside the box and break down the unnecessary limitations we impose upon ourselves and the individuals we work with.
I look forward to seeing everyone in Kohler this April!
Submitted by Cayte Anderson, WRA President
| "Some of our best institutions, from corporations to change
agencies to schools, are learning that there is another way of doing
business, a way that is consensual, cooperative, communal: they
are fulfilling a different prophecy and creating a different reality". Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation |
WRA Newsletter Article 2
Legislative News and Views:
Advocacy works! WRA president Cayte Anderson and past president Dennis Carriere sent a letter to governor Doyle recommending that DVR administrator Charlene Dwyer stay on. Other disability advocates and agencies did the same, and she is now one of the few re-appointments in the Doyle administration. The new department secretary, Roberta Gassman, was apparently very impressed by the grassroots support directed her way. Congratulations Charlene!If you are interested in following EVERYTHING that is happening in the State legislature, getting live coverage of floor activity, links to your local reps, etc., go to www.legis.state.wi.us
On the federal level, the big event for most of us will be reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, which is Title 4 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). WIA also is responsible for setting up the one stop model for the Workforce Centers. The language and provisions of the Rehabilitation Act trickle down and influence the rules we follow as local providers, the paperwork we do, the systems used in providing services, and formulas used to determine federal allocation of funds. Simple cost of living increases in funding have not provided sufficient funds for states, and have resulted in frequent use of “Order of Selection” plans. Programs such as Supported Employment and Projects With Industry (PWI) have had separate funding streams in the past, but are now being encouraged by the Bush administration to be consolidated into the Rehabilitation Act. While this sounds good, it would likely result in lost funds, as the VR program requires a State match, which many states (i.e. Wisconsin) can’t afford right now. You can track legislative updates through the NRA website at www.nationalrehab.org.
We don’t know exactly when this 108th congress will get to voting on the Act. They have had some distractions, i.e. they have been working on an Omnibus spending act just to keep the government working, and there is a possible war coming on. The National Rehabilitation Association is advocating for, among other things, increased funding for WIA beyond cost of living, and separate funding for programs such as PWI and Supported Employment
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Oh, and if you like abbreviations, here are a few more:
- IDEA = Individuals With Disabilities Education Act ( also up for renewal in 2003)
- TANF = Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
- OSERS = Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, which is above the…
- RSA = Rehabilitation Services Administration
- GAO = Government Accounting Office (The ultimate bean counters)
- SOL = What you may be when the money stops coming.
www.WRA-org.org/WRABoardmembers2003.htm.
Submitted by Jim Hill, WRA Legislative chair
WRA Newsletter Article 3
Invite a Friend to WRA:
WRA Newsletter Article 4
Outlook: Labor Shortage
Solution: Untapped Labor Market
According to Roger Herman, author of Impending Crisis: Too Many Jobs, Too
Few People this is great news for employees. Employers will be forced into
offering strong compensation packages, more flexibility, better benefit
plans, and a lot of different kinds of things to entice people. Perhaps employers will also be forced to take a more serious look at the untapped labor market, particularly professionals with different abilities. What better solution, then a well trained, experienced professional who has been unable to compete in the market effectively because they have to be accommodated-even though most accommodations cost employers little or nothing.
That is not to say that people with disabilities should rest on their laurels if they are not currently in the work force. This is an ideal time to be building your skill set, so you are aligned with the knowledge, skills and abilities that employers are seeking. Now is the time to be taking courses,
reading books, listening to tapes, or volunteering time in an agency that can help you build new skills.
Now is also the time to be thinking of the criteria you have for your next employer. Too often a person with a disability feels that they must take any job that is offered to them-this is a losing mind-set that does not take into consideration the strengths and experience you have to offer to the employer community.
I believe that our background and circumstances may have an influence on who we are, but we are responsible for who we become…
challenge yourself and don’t settle for less than you deserve in your career path.
Submitted by Karol Buckingham, WRA Board Member at Large
WRA Newsletter Article 5
Wisconsin Nominee Receives President's New Freedom Initiative Award:
On behalf of President George Bush, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao recognized Bruce Borden at a Washington D.C. awards luncheon as one of the first recipients of the President's New Freedom Initiative Award. Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Jennifer Alexander nominated Borden for his collaborative efforts in developing programs and services and advocating employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The award recognizes individuals, businesses or organizations that demonstrate exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment objectives of the President's New Freedom Initiative."For the past twenty years Bruce has devoted much of his time and efforts to providing more opportunities to people with disabilities," said DWD Secretary Jennifer Alexander. "Bruce has provided insight, personal experience and invaluable expertise to the department in order to further shape policy, programs and services to benefit people with disabilities across the state of Wisconsin."
Since a diving accident left him a quadriplegic in 1981, Bruce Borden has devoted his time and energy to organization, advocacy and coalition building efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities. The New Freedom Initiative Award recognizes Bruce's efforts in:
Advocacy:
Founder of EBTIDE (Economic Benefit through Individualized Disabled Employment), a grassroots, consumer non-profit organization to remove employment barriers and promote advancement for people with disabilities and creator of legislation for various homeownership initiatives focusing on affordable housing, Bruce's leadership and ideas helped design the legislation which became Section 302 of the "American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act" signed into law in December 2000.
Elimination of Employment Barriers and Financial Disincentives:
Creation of the Wheel Chair Recycling Program, which enables low-income families with a member who is disabled to receive equipment that assists in integrating them into the community more quickly.
Development of Pathways to Independence (a DVR program), a program that offers comprehensive services designed to remove or reduce barriers to employment for people with severe disabilities. Bruce provided several key concepts including simplified access to comprehensive help.
Architectural lead of DWD's "Making it Work" project, designed to eliminate financial disincentives due to loss of irreplaceable benefits. Bruce analyzed policies and helped raise awareness that disincentives prevent people with disabilities from participating in employment opportunities.
Forging a partnership between EBTIDE and DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for a pilot project called "Work Without Walls. This initial program utilizes broadband technologies and video conferencing capabilities to reduce isolation factors for those with disabilities working from their homes.
Borden received this prestigious award today in Washington D.C. with DWD Secretary Jennifer Alexander and DVR Administrator Charlene Dwyer in attendance.
Written by Teresa Weidemann-Smith, Division of Administrative Services Submitted by Cayte Anderson, WRA President
WRA Newsletter Article 6
Disability Info Corner: PKU - What is it?
PKU is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which an individual inherits a specific gene mutation from both healthy parents who are carriers. A double dose of the mutated gene in the baby results in a deficiency of a liver enzyme, phenylalanine hydroxylase. This enzyme normally converts the amino acid, phenylalanine (PHE), into another amino acid, tyrosine (TYR). Because the enzyme is either missing or defective in its activity, serum PHE levels become elevated and harm the developing central nervous system of the affected person. If PKU is not diagnosed in the early weeks of life, the chronically high PHE level causes mental retardation and a variety of other problems.Babies born with PKU in the United States and many other parts of the world are identified in infancy through newborn screening programs. They are immediately started on a PHE-restricted diet. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents mental retardation and other associated problems.
For years after the start of newborn screening (in the 1960’s), there was controversy over the length of time diet treatment was necessary. Today, however, there is an abundance of data showing that low blood PSE levels are crucial for healthy brain and neuropsychological functioning.
It is believed that previously untreated adults with PKU also can also benefit from the diet. In fact, it is believed the diet should be considered whenever it is feasible. In adults who are untreated, the major goals are positive health and emotional and behavior stability.
Before the 1960’s, PKU was not routinely diagnosed in newborns. Most persons with PKU born before 1965 were never offered treatment or were diagnosed late and treated for varying short periods early in life. As a result most adults born in the era before newborn screening are mentally retarded and may have many problems associated with chronic high blood PHE levels.
Problems of untreated adults with PKU include (but are not limited to):
| Behavioral and Psychological: | Neurological: |
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Other:
- eczema (can involve large areas of the body)
- sensitivity to sunlight and very light skin (due to excess PHE inhibiting melanin formation)
- body odor identified as “musty” or “pungent”
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In implementing the PKY diet the following steps are followed:
- baseline testing
- introducing the PKU medical formula
- eliminating cow’s milk
- incorporating special low protein food items into the diet
Submitted by Kathy Hoff, WRA Secretary
WRA Newsletter Article 7
A Little WRA History…
October 12, 1955-The official organizational meeting of the Wisconsin Rehabilitation Association was conducted at the Curative Workshop of Milwaukee. There were 41 persons in attendance. Mr. E.B. Whitten, Executive Director of National Rehabilitation Association (NRA) related that NRA was started after the first World War in 1920. The NRA membership had grown to over 16,000 members nationally. Mr. William Faulkes, former State Director of the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) served as the first President of the National Rehabilitation Association.February 14, 1956-Wisconsin Rehabilitation Association met for the first time at Veterans Hospital, Wood, WI. The Nominating Committee elected Raymond Dvorak, Band Director at UW-Madison as president; Adrian Towne, Assistant Director of DVR as vice president; Fred H. Broecker, Counselor, Wisconsin Anti-Tuberculosis Association as secretary; Mrs. Ted Hoyer, Hoyer Manufacturing, Oshkosh as treasurer; and William Faulkes, Retired State Director of DVR as honorary president emeritus. As of February 14, 1956, WRA had 94 members in good standing.
In 2006 WRA will be 50 years old. Help celebrate the 50th anniversary! Become active with the Wisconsin Rehabilitation Association and the National Rehabiliation Association.
Submitted by Dennis Carriere, past president
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| WRA members who would like to contribute an article for the summer issue of the WRA Newsletter should submit them to Chari Haglin at charlotte.haglin@dwd.state.wi.us by May 1, 2003. |
WRA Newsletter Article 8
Disability-related Websites
Here is a list of web locations that I use that I feel are good resources for finding out more about disabilities and accommodations.http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/index.htmlx
Our community includes informational resources on specific diagnoses, communication connections, adaptive products and technology, adaptive recreational activities, education, worship, health issues, disability-related media and literature, and much, much more!
http://www.icdi.wvu.edu/Others.htm
These links are for sites that provide information on multiple disabilities or disability issues. These include organizations and vendors as well as personal pages.
http://www.thearc.org/related-links.htm#
The Arc of the United States works to include all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities in every community.
http://www.webable.com/library.html
WebABLE is the authoritative Web site for disability-related Internet resources. The WebABLE site goal is to stimulate education, research, and development of technologies that will ensure accessibility for people with disabilities to advanced information systems and emerging technologies.
http://www.access-board.gov
The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. It operates with about 30 staff and a governing board of representatives from Federal departments and public members appointed by the President. Key responsibilities of the Board include:
- developing and maintaining accessibility requirements for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology
- providing technical assistance and training on these guidelines and standards
- enforcing accessibility standards for federally funded facilities
| WRA Newsletter, Spring 2003 |
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