Just when you think it should be over, it's not over! What do we know and not know 24 hours after the polls closed in Wisconsin? What's at stake for the disability community, regardless of who is in office? Veteran disability advocate Lynn Breedlove shares his wisdom with us about election results, what he thinks will happen next and the issues disability advocates should be paying attention to. 

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November is family caregiver month and our special guest today works tirelessly on family caregiver issues. Helen Marks Dicks is the State Issues Advocacy Director for AARP Wisconsin, but she is perhaps better known  as the lady with the big red glasses! Helen shares with us some exciting initiatives to improve conditions for Wisconsin's nearly 600,000 family caregivers.

Resources discussed in the show:
http://wisconsincaregiver.org/ 
The Wisconsin family caregiver Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinFamilyCaregiver
AARP Wisconsin: https://states.aarp.org/wisconsin/


New podcast sponsor: 
This podcast episode has been brought to you by Old National Bank. Old National Bank has been recognized by the National Organization on Disability as a Leading Disability Employer and one of the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion”. Old National … fostering a welcoming workplace where people of all abilities, backgrounds, and skills can work together to accomplish great things.

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In this podcast episode we are joined by Maria Town, the President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities.  In this role, she works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities. Maria is a former Obama Administration official who feels passionately about people with disabilities participating in our democracy. Hear what AAPD is doing in Wisconsin and across the country to rock the disability vote and the progress they are making in reducing barriers to the polls across the country. 

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At the 2020 Self-Determination Conference Lisa Pugh, Executive Director of The Arc Wisconsin spoke with a zoom roomful of self-advocates about setting a vision and taking small steps toward personal goals.  We agreed that if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough! We recorded our discussion live at the conference and listened to the dreams of self-advocates Kristi and Jessica while others offered their expert advice! From setting a goal to live on your own and find a home to be in a romantic relationship some day, we helped each other think about next steps. Take a listen to a fun group show! 

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These times can be discouraging. People are isolated and afraid of getting sick. Their lives have been turned upside down and it's hard to know when things will get back to normal, if ever. Lynn Breedlove  has been voicing concerns for people with disabilities in Wisconsin for more than thirty years since he served as director of Disability Rights Wisconsin. You might say he's seen it all. Even though a pandemic is new turf for Lynn, he's already seeing the opportunities. Hear how Lynn advises all of us advocates to turn COVID-19 lemons into lemonade, as they say...

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Ashley Mathy is a 24-year-old disability advocate and pioneer who wants you to know you might fail at first, but you can do anything if you set your mind to it. With the motto “cross out the dis and embrace the ability”, Ashley travels Wisconsin sharing her message, training other self-advocates to find their voice, and challenging a few policymakers along the way. Hear Ashley's tough talk and advice for organizations on how they can be better partners with and supporters of people with disabilities. You will want to keep your eye on this young leader! 

Guest: Ashley Mathy, People First Wisconsin Self-Advocate Leader

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In this episode we chat with Beth Swedeen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and hear her take on the top five moments of disability history in Wisconsin. Does her list match yours? She reflects on great memories in the state capitol and what she sees as the future of the self-advocacy movement in Wisconsin. You won't want to miss it! 

Guest: Beth Swedeen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

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Did you know you might be able to drive up to your county clerk's house to deliver your ballot on Election Day? No, really! Did you know the voter turnout of eligible voters with disabilities is significantly lower compared to the national average? There’s so much to learn about voting! 

Guest: Barbara Beckert, Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Disability Vote Coalition

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Cindy Bentley is one of Wisconsin’s most inspirational leaders and self-advocates. She grew up in a state institution for those with developmental disabilities but has gone on to live a pretty incredible life, even making her way to the White House not once, but twice! In this episode, we will hear Cindy tell her White House tales and provide some advice for other self-advocate leaders along the way. Learn about how even White House pets can have their partisan differences! 

Guest: Cindy Bentley, Executive Director of People First Wisconsin

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People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often seen as the recipients of services and are rarely expected or asked to give back. But that doesn’t mean self-advocates don’t want to contribute to their communities or have a great ability to do so! In this episode, we’ll talk about the unique relationship that has formed between the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and The Arc Fond du Lac and how self-advocates there are giving back. We’ll also hear some tips from The Arc Fond du Lac staff on ways to support volunteer opportunities where you live.  

This episode features our host, Executive Director, Lisa Pugh interviewing Katie Karls, Executive Director – Habitat for Humanity, Fond du Lac; Tomessa Marley – Program Assistant (The Arc Fond du Lac, Young Adult Program); and Katie a Self-Advocate and Habitat ReStore volunteer.

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