News

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.

Statement on 2024 Election Results

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The results of the 2024 elections are about more than political party. They have real consequences on the people we serve, the communities we live in, our staff, and the people we love. Hateful and ignorant rhetoric that further marginalizes people with disabilities and our full identities will not define us. To the communities we serve — we see you. Disability Rights Wisconsin will be here to defend the dignity and rights of ALL people…
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DRW’s Protection and Advocacy Goals and Priorities for 2025

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DRW has created proposed Protection and Advocacy (P&A) goals and priorities for 2025. We are looking for public input on what issues should be DRW’s focus. The goals and priorities contained in this plan identify areas upon which we expect to devote our federal P&A funding. Please note that this plan does not represent all advocacy DRW engages in on behalf of people with disabilities in Wisconsin. In addition to federal P&A funding, DRW receives…
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Advocacy Specialist Warns Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Hurts Students with Disabilities

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Joanne Juhnke, Disability Rights Wisconsin advocacy specialist, spoke with TMJ4 last week about the traumatic overuse of restraint and seclusion in schools. She gave insight into why parents are concerned about “seclusion rooms” being built by the Hartland Lakeside School District. Restraint and seclusion affect young students with disabilities much more. Statewide data from the Department of Public Instruction shows that eighty-eight percent of cases where the school used seclusion were in elementary schools. Instead…
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Love Wisconsin: Resilient Voices with Jaidan and Jeanine Nugent

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Get to know Jaidan Nugent! Love Wisconsin interviewed her and her mother, Jeanine Nugent, recently for a beautiful article within the Resilient Voices series. Jaiden is one of our fierce advocates for voting rights in the Disability Vote Coalition. Understanding how important voting is for people with disabilities, she made sure that she protected her right to vote when getting a guardianship. Read the full interview on Love Wisconsin here.
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Public Forum: 2024-25 State Superintendent’s Council on Special Education

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The Annual Public Forum The State Superintendent’s Council on Special Education wants to hear from you! They will hold their annual Public Forum this Wednesday to get your thoughts about special education in Wisconsin. They’d like to hear more about the needs, successes, and challenges for children with disabilities. The council would like to hear from: Families School administrators Educators Community representatives Event Information Date and Time: October 9, 2024; 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m….
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Project Homeless Connect Milwaukee 2024

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About the Event Project Homeless Connect is an annual one-day event that connects people experiencing homelessness to resources and services within the community. Services being offered are: health screening services dental and vision exams haircuts lunch resource fair health and hygiene items connections to employment You do not need to register to receive services.  Join us in Milwaukee on October 17 to find out how we can help you! Event Information Date and Time The…
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La feria de recursos para niños y jóvenes con discapacidades

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Información del evento ¡Participe con Disability Rights Wisconsin en “La feria de recursos para niños y jóvenes con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo”! Este evento es gratuito. En él podrán encontrar: Información de recursos y servicios en español. Actividades para niños. ¡Comida gratis! Fecha y hora: miércoles, 23 de octubre, de 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Dirección: Aldo Leopold Elementary School 2602 Post Rd., Madison, WI Para más información Lea y comparte el folleto del…
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Take Back the Night 2024

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About Take Back the Night Join us at Take Back the Night this Wednesday, October 2, in Oshkosh! Learn about sexual assault and domestic abuse within our communities and how to stand against it. This year’s program focuses on the disability community! Pam Malin, our Victim Advocacy Program’s lead advocacy specialist, will be a speaker for the program. She will talk about the experiences of survivors with disabilities. There will also be a resource fair…
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DRW Files Complaint about Town of Thornapple’s Voting Machine Removal

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Last week, in partnership with Law Forward, Disability Rights Wisconsin filed a complaint against the Town of Thornapple’s decision with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The complaint is about their decision to remove electronic voting equipment from their polling place without making sure that an alternate accessible voting system was available for voters with disabilities. Disability Rights Wisconsin has requested expedited consideration of the complaint due to the upcoming November 5 general election. The Help America…
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New Office Hours

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Disability Rights Wisconsin will have new office hours, starting September 6, 2024. New Office Hours Our new office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday, at our physical offices. Our offices will be closed on Fridays. Business Hours Our business hours continue to be 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Contacting Us You can contact us via phone, email, fax, or mail. For more information on reaching us, visit…
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