Action Alerts

ACTION NEEDED: Assembly to Vote on 1/15 to Override Governor’s CNA Training Bill Veto We are passing on this time sensitive action alert received from our friends in the aging network.  There is breaking news that tomorrow, Wednesday, January 15th, the Assembly will vote to override the Governor’s veto of a bill that would reduce training requirements for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). Disability Rights Wisconsin and many disability and aging advocacy organizations opposed the bill…

The Senate Education Committee is holding a hearing on Nov. 19th at 10 am in Room 411 S at the Capitol on SB 527- Changes to the Seclusion and Restraint Law.  Please join advocacy organizations and  families to testify at the hearing on the important common-sense changes that will require better parent notification when an incident happens and greater transparency on the use of use in school districts across the state.  These are simple changes…

The Governor’s Task Force on Caregiving is charged with developing strategies to address the workforce shortage of caregivers.  Check out their new website and sign up for the Task Force email list. The Task Force held its second meeting October 25th, in Madison. The next meeting on November 18th in Green Bay will focus on family caregiving issues. Each meeting includes a public comment period.  WisconsinEye has agreed to cover Task Force meetings – stay…

On Tuesday June 18th, the Wisconsin Assembly will vote on AB 168. Current Wisconsin law requires all voters to speak their name and address to receive a ballot. AB 168 would require accommodation for voters who are unable to speak their name and address. Disability Rights Wisconsin asked policy makers to advance this policy change to address a barrier to voting for some voters with disabilities. We requested this change because of the concerns we…

ACTION ALERT: CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR NOW- Joint Finance Votes on Special Education Funding Thursday, May 23.   Special education funding has not increased across Wisconsin in the last decade and parents are reporting the impact on their children with disabilities. Governor Evers’ proposed state budget calls for a significant increase in special education funding to stop the $2 billion shortfall for school districts across Wisconsin. Joint Finance to consider three options; A. the Governor’s Recommendation;…

The State Budget process is moving forward. We encourage you to take an active role and share your budget priorities with your legislators and with the Joint Finance Committee which plays a lead role in budget decisions. This is a great opportunity to talk about funding for special education, mental health services, transportation, the caregiver crisis, ending the waiting list for the Children’s Long Term Support Medicaid waiver, support for youth and adults with mental…

Act Today! Action Alert for Dental Access package/ Dental Therapy Bill Access to dental care is a major problem for people with mental illness and other disabilities in Wisconsin, including children. We hope you will take action to ask your legislator to support a new bill that will help people get the dental care they need. What is happening: A dental therapy bill (LRB 1947) has been introduced in the legislature; dental therapy is also…

The State Senate and Assembly have passed on party lines legislation (SB 886/ AB 1072) that will create significant bureaucratic layers and barriers to make improvements and changes to all of Wisconsin’s Medicaid waiver programs like Family Care, IRIS, Children’s Long-Term Supports, autism services, mental health services such as CCS, and more. The bill awaits signature into law by the Governor. The legislature already has broad ability to direct the actions of the Department of…