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;…
Action Alerts
For information on DRW news, events, or press releases, please contact:
Bob Poeschl at 920-944-2544 or email media@drwi.org.
For information on DRW action alerts, public policy, or voting efforts, please contact:
Barbara Beckert at 414-292-2724 or barbara.beckert@drwi.org.
State Budget Hearings – Make Your Voice Heard

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 Bill

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…
Share Your Priorities for the Biennial Budget

Share your priorities for the biennial budget with Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes. They are holding 4 community sessions to get input on priorities for the state budget. Sessions are scheduled in Green Bay, Wausau, La Crosse, and Milwaukee. The state budget is very important in funding services for people with disabilities. Click here to see DRW’s priorities for the state budget. It’s important to have a strong turnout from the mental…
Act Now – Call Governor Walker: 608-266-1212

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…
Contact State Legislators About Extraordinary Session Bills

Legislative leaders are fast-tracking a package of bills released late Friday. These bills would significantly limit the role of the new Governor, impact services that are important to people with disabilities, and shorten the time period for absentee voting. The full Senate and Assembly will be voting TODAY to pass these bills. Contact your State Senator and Assembly Representative this morning to share your concerns. Call the toll free Legislative Hotline to reach your legislator:…
Act Now – Contact Your State Legislators

Special Session Bills Impact People with Disabilities Legislative leaders are trying to fast-track a package of bills released late Friday. These bills would significantly limit the role of the new Governor and would have unintended consequences for people with disabilities. Today, the Joint Finance Committee is holding a public hearing (12:30 PM in room 412 East in the State Capitol) on these proposals and is planning to vote them out of committee. The full Senate…
Protect Immigrants with Disabilities – Your Voice Matters

DRW Opposes Public Charge Rule Proposal On October 10, the US Department of Homeland Security announced a change to the “public charge” rule that would make it very difficult for immigrants with disabilities to legally enter the US. It is unfair, it is discriminatory, and it will hurt people with disabilities and their families. A “public charge” is someone who the government believes will be dependent on public benefits to meet their basic survival needs….
ABLE Account Survey – Share Your Experience

The ABLE Act was passed by Congress in 2014. ABLE accounts create a new option for some people with disabilities and their families to save for the future for specific expenses, while protecting eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other public benefits. The National Council on Disability (NCD) has been charged by Congress to provide recommendations on how to improve ABLE implementation. YOUR HELP NEEDED: We are asking individuals with disabilities and their families who may…
Voters with Disabilities – We Need to Hear From You

Voters with Disabilities: Complete the SABE GoVoter Survey Did you vote in the November 6th Elections? Are you a person with a disability? If you said yes to both of those questions, we need your feedback. Disability Rights Wisconsin is partnering with Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) on the SABE GoVoter survey. The survey collects information about the voting experiences of voters with disabilities in the November 6th election. You may complete the survey online,…
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