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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.

Disability Pride Month 2022

Redesigned Disability Pride Flag by Anne Magill, which has muted but bright colors in a diagonal band from top left to bottom right.
In the month of July, we celebrate the diversity and history of the disability community in the United States for Disability Pride Month. On July 26th, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, prohibiting discrimination on basis of disabilities. We recognize that disability is a natural part of life that intersects with so many aspects of identity, from race to gender to socioeconomic class and that today, disability advocates and activists are…
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Other Views to Consider as the 988 Hotline Rolls Out

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988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has officially launched nationwide, as announced by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. DRW applauds the effort to increase access to mental health services. We appreciate 988 as part of a more effective response to people experiencing mental health crises. But 988 alone is not enough. Some people with lived experience and others have raised questions about how the new system will work, including concerns about forced treatment and police involvement…
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Deadline for Senior Litigating Attorney Position Now July 27

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We are searching for a Wisconsin-based attorney that has experience litigating individual cases in state and federal court, including negotiation, mediation, and other forms of resolution, and is a passionate advocate for the legal rights of people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. The Senior Litigating Attorney will work with a team on systemic change litigation on a variety of disability rights issues such as employment, housing, schools, civil rights, access to community services, and conditions…
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DRW Statement on Teigen vs Wisconsin Elections Commission

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Today the Supreme Court of Wisconsin issued a ruling that will impact the voting rights of thousands of Wisconsinites with disabilities. While unstaffed drop boxes will no longer be allowed, DRW is pleased that federal law will protect the rights of voters with disabilities to have assistance with mailing or delivery of their absentee ballots. Read our statement here (accessible PDF). Read Our Voices, Our Votes: Disabled Voters Speak Out on Voting Rights and Ballot…
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Now Hiring: Senior Litigating Attorney, Protection and Advocacy Program

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DRW is now seeking a Senior Litigating Attorney in our Protection and Advocacy Program! Do you have experience litigating individual cases in state and federal court, including negotiation, mediation, and other forms of resolution? Are you a strong advocate for the legal rights of people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations? We encourage you to apply! The Senior Litigating Attorney will work with a team on systemic change litigation on a variety of disability rights…
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Free At-Home COVID Tests for People who are Blind/Low Vision

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Ordering Accessible COVID Tests Accessible at-home COVID tests for people who are blind or have low vision are available now via the Biden-Harris administration’s initiatives to expand access to accessible COVID tests. These tests make use of a compatible Bluetooth-enabled smartphone and an app to provide audio step-by-step instructions for administering the test and for reading results. You can order the free accessible tests online via USPS or by calling 1-800-232-0233. Each order will contain…
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Now Hiring: Managing Attorney, Protection and Advocacy Program

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DRW is now seeking a Managing Attorney in our Protection and Advocacy program! Are you dedicated to advocating for people with disabilities on a systemic level and forming relationships with other advocacy organizations in Wisconsin? Do you have several years of experience in individual and legal casework? We encourage you to apply! The Managing Attorney will be responsible for overseeing DRW’s core services under our Protection and Advocacy program, which encompasses several teams in various…
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Application Deadline Extended for Supervising Attorney Positions

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Disability Rights Wisconsin is currently seeking two Supervising Attorneys: one for our Schools Team and the other for our Civil Rights Team. Both positions are full-time and based in either Madison or Milwaukee, with the possibility of a hybrid work arrangement. We are extending the application deadline for these two positions to June 13, 2022, at 5:00pm CST. Learn about our open positions below: Supervising Attorney, Schools Team View the accessible job position description for…
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Students with Disabilities Disproportionately Secluded and Restrained

A Black student looks at the red double doors of the school entrance, with their back to the viewer.
According to 2020/2021 data released by the WI Department of Public Instruction, students with disabilities accounted for 84% of incidents of restraint (restricting or reducing the ability of a student to freely move parts of their body) and 85% of incidents of seclusion (isolating a student in a room or area they cannot leave). Joanne Juhnke, DRW Advocacy Specialist in Special Education, explains these measures of last resort and what the new data means for…
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DVC Voter Toolkit – 2022 Elections

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2022 is an important election year. Our Voter Toolkit has the resources you need to be prepared to vote. If you have questions or suggestions for the toolkit, email us at info@disabilityvote.org. Be prepared to vote – our fact sheet walks through the process step by step here: Make Your Plan to Vote: Aug 9th Primary and Nov 8th Fall Election Voter Registration Information My Vote Wisconsin: Register and check your voter status at myvote.wi.gov….
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