The State Assembly’s Vote On Wednesday, November 19, the Wisconsin State Assembly will be voting on many bills, including AB 613 and AB 614. Disability Rights Wisconsin urges opposition to AB 613 and AB 614. We are concerned that students with disabilities would lose out on even more education than they already do. Meanwhile, schools would get no new resources to handle the new processes the bills would require. About AB 613 and AB 614…
Action Alerts
For information on DRW news, events, or press releases, please contact:
email media@drwi.org.
For information on DRW action alerts, public policy, or voting efforts, please contact:
Lisa Hassenstab at 608-308-2639 or lisah@drwi.org.
Action Alert: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Public Hearing
About the Public Hearing The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Vocation Rehabilitation (DVR) is holding a public hearing on Thursday, November 13 at 2:00 p.m. The hearing is to get public opinion on the Division’s plan for dealing with a large funding shortage. The plan includes putting people asking for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services on a wait list, so services wouldn’t start right away. We urge you to go to the hearing and share how…
Action Alert: Oppose AB613 and AB614 in advance of Thursday’s Public Hearing
Public Hearing on Two New Bills On Thursday, November 6th, the Assembly Education Committee is having a Public Hearing on two bills: AB 613 and AB 614. Disability Rights Wisconsin is concerned that students with disabilities would lose out on even more education than they already do. Meanwhile, schools would get no new resources to handle the new processes the bill would require. This legislation would let teachers decide which students they keep in class….
Public Comment: Children’s Long-Term Support Program Renewal
About the Public Comment Period Are you a current or past member of the Children’s Long-Term Support Program? Or are you family of someone in the program? The Wisconsin Department of Health would like to hear from you! The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is starting the renewal process for the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) program. They will review the program and see where they can improve it for the years of 2027 to 2031….
Action Alert: Essential Funding for Our P&A Programs
Disability Rights Wisconsin needs your voice today! Essential funding for our nation’s Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies, including Disability Rights Wisconsin, is at risk! About this Action Alert The President’s proposed budget for 2026 would cut or eliminate several grants that support the work of these agencies. If these cuts move forward, people with disabilities will face greater danger and fewer supports to live and thrive in their own communities. For countless individuals, P&As are…
Survey: Wisconsin’s Mental Health and Substance Use Services
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and UW-Madison’s Population Health Institute would like to hear from you this month! They want your feedback about your experiences with Wisconsin’s mental health and substance use services. State health officials will use the information from the survey to guide how they’ll improve services and policies for people with mental health and substance abuse issues. They will release a public report of the answers they’ve received later this year….
Public Comment Period: WisDOT’s 2025 ADA Transition Plan
About the ADA Transition Plan The public comment period opens today for the 2025 ADA Transition plan by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The plan aims to make accessibility better throughout the state’s highway systems. Some of the upcoming changes in the plan are: building accessible restrooms and adult changing stations when rebuilding Safety Rest Areas building curb ramps making sure that train stations and other Department of Transportation facilities are accessible and follow the…
Action Alert: Save the Protection and Advocacy Network!
Protection and Advocacy agencies are facing cuts to critical funding for programs that protect people with disabilities and older adults. These programs make sure that they can live in their communities and be self-reliant. For many people with disabilities and older adults, protection and advocacy agencies are the only places they can turn to when they need help. Act now! Tell Congress that these programs are important to you and that you oppose these cuts!
Public Comment Period: IRIS Waiver Renewal
About the IRIS Waiver Renewal The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is renewing the Include, Respect, I Self-Direct (IRIS) waiver. During the renewal process, they’d like to hear from participants about ways they can make services and policies better in the program. Learn about the waiver renewal and planned changes to the program here. Send Your Comments The public comment period is open from July 9 to August 8, 2025. Send in your comments by:…
Accessibility in Federal Buildings
Send your thoughts now on a new rule that would take away accessibility requirements for new federal buildings! About the New Rule The federal Department of Energy (DOE) has made a new final rule that will eliminate a long-time requirement of Section 504. The requirement says that new buildings that are constructed with federal funds must be accessible to people with disabilities. The Department now calls this rule “unnecessary” and “burdensome”. Removing this rule would:…