Take Action

Your state legislators are the people elected to represent your community in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate. They make decisions about state laws, funding, and policies.

How to find your legislators:

1. Visit the Wisconsin State Legislature website.
2. Look for the "Who Are My Legislators?" search tool.
3. Enter your home address to find your state senator and state representative.
4. Select a legislator's name to find their contact information.

You can contact their offices by phone, email, or mail.

Resource: Find Your Legislators – Wisconsin Legislature

You do not need to know everything about a bill or policy to contact your legislator. A short, personal message can help them understand how an issue affects people in their district.

A few tips:

• Introduce yourself. Share your name and that you live in their district, if applicable.
• Explain the issue. Describe the law, policy, or concern you want them to know about.
• Share why it matters. Give an example of how the issue affects you, someone you know, or your community.
• Make a clear request. Tell the legislator what action you would like them to take.
• Be respectful and direct. You can disagree with a decision while keeping your message focused.

You can ask questions, share concerns, or request a meeting with a legislator or their staff.

Remember: Legislators work on many issues. You can help them better understand disability rights and how decisions affect people's daily lives.

Your message does not have to be long. A few sentences explaining your concern and what you want to change can be enough.

Example email

Subject: Please Support Accessible Transportation

Dear Senator or Representative [Last Name],

My name is [Name], and I live in [City or Community].

I am contacting you about accessible transportation in Wisconsin. Reliable transportation is important for people with disabilities to get to work, attend appointments, and participate in their communities.

In my experience, [briefly describe your concern].

I ask you to support policies and funding that improve accessible transportation options.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Example phone call

"Hello, my name is [Name], and I live in [Community]. I'm calling about [issue].

This matters to me because [briefly explain].

I would like [legislator's name] to [specific action].

Thank you for sharing my message."

Helpful tips:

• Write down two or three points before calling.
• You can ask to leave a message if the legislator is not available.
• It is okay to read from notes.
• If you have a question you cannot answer, you can ask for a follow-up.

Public hearings give people an opportunity to speak directly to decision-makers about proposed laws, policies, and other issues.

In Wisconsin, legislative committees hold public hearings where community members can share their views. You do not need to be an expert to testify.

Before the hearing:

1. Find the hearing date, time, location, and topic.
2. Check the hearing notice for participation instructions.
3. Prepare a short statement about your concern.
4. Practice sharing your main points.
5. Contact the meeting organizer in advance if you need an accommodation.

When giving testimony:

• Introduce yourself.
• Say which issue or proposal you are speaking about.
• Explain why it matters to you or your community.
• Share an example or personal experience.
• Explain what you would like decision-makers to do.
• Thank the committee for listening.

You may have only a few minutes to speak. Focus on your most important points and check whether the hearing has a time limit.

You have other options, too. Depending on the hearing, you may be able to submit written testimony or register your position without speaking. Check the hearing notice for instructions.

Resources:

• Wisconsin Legislative Committee Schedule
• How to Testify at a Public Hearing – Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (PDF)

Government agencies sometimes ask the public for feedback before making decisions about rules, programs, and services.

A public comment is a way to explain your concerns, suggest changes, or support a proposal.

How to participate:

1. Find an opportunity. Look for public comment periods through DRW Action Alerts, state agency websites, or public meeting notices.
2. Review the proposal. Read the summary of the proposed change and how it may affect people with disabilities.
3. Prepare your comment. Explain what you support or oppose, why it matters, and what you recommend.
4. Submit your comment. Follow the instructions provided by the agency. You may be able to comment online, by email, or by mail.
5. Check the deadline. Comments generally must be received before the public comment period closes.

What should your comment include?

• The proposal, rule, or issue you are commenting on
• How it may affect you or other people with disabilities
• What you think should change or stay the same
• Your recommendations

You do not need to use legal or technical language. Clear examples of how a proposal would affect daily life can be helpful.

Resources:

• Wisconsin Administrative Rules – Public Comment Opportunities
• Wisconsin Public Meeting Notices

Personal experiences can help decision-makers understand what a policy or program means in everyday life.

You can talk about something that happened to you, a barrier you have experienced, or a change that would make a difference.

A simple way to share your experience:

1. Describe the situation. What happened? What service, program, or policy was involved?
2. Explain the impact. How did it affect your ability to work, go to school, receive services, live in your community, or participate in everyday activities?
3. Explain what needs to change. What would have made the situation better? What do you want decision-makers to understand or do?

Example:
"I use a wheelchair and rely on public transportation to get to work. When accessible transportation is unavailable, I sometimes miss work or must arrange expensive alternatives. I want decision-makers to understand why reliable, accessible transportation matters for employment."

A few things to remember:

• Share only what you are comfortable making public.
• You do not need to share private medical information or personal details to make your point.
• Focus on one or two examples that illustrate your concern.
• Explain what a better outcome would look like.
• You can speak for yourself. You do not have to represent everyone with a disability.

Your experience is valuable. You do not need to have all the answers to help others understand an issue.

More Resources

Tips for Asking for Accommodations

Learn how to request accommodations so you can participate in public meetings, hearings, and other advocacy activities.

Accessible Ways to Participate in Public Meetings

Learn about options for participating in public meetings, including remote participation when offered, communication access, and requesting materials in accessible formats.