Voting rights are in the new news as Wisconsin legislators consider new proposals that would impact the voting rights of many people with disabilities. Disability advocates are featured in these recent stories: Wednesday on Lake Effect: voting access legislation, artist Vedale Hill, understanding the birth of the universe – WUWM 89.7 FM – Milwaukee’s NPR Wisconsin Senate committee holds hearing on election bills critics say make voting harder – WUWM 89.7 FM – Milwaukee’s NPR….
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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.
DRW Testimony at February 7 Senate Election Committee Public Hearing
The Senate Election Committee held a hearing on February 7th on eleven new voting bills. DRW testified regarding the impact of these bills on people with disabilities. View DRW’s Testimony here (accessible pdf). View the Senate Hearing Notice here (pdf). If these issues are important to you, tell your legislators about your views. To find contact information for your legislators, you can call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-362-9472 or use the “Who Are My Legislators?”…
2022 Milwaukee Mayoral Candidate Forum
Milwaukee’s first open mayoral election in nearly two decades is a historical occasion. Make sure you are prepared to vote in the February 15th primary. Join Disability Rights Wisconsin, Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition, and our partners for our 2022 Virtual Milwaukee Mayoral Forum. All are welcome. Registration is required. All seven candidates have agreed to participate. When: Monday, January 31, 2022, 7 – 8:30PM Register for the forum here via Zoom. View and share the…
Make Your Plan to Vote 2022 DVC Factsheet
Be prepared to vote in the February 15 Spring Primary and April 5 Spring Elections. The Disability Vote Coalition’s factsheet will help you make your plan to vote. View the Make Your Plan to Vote 2022 factsheet here and share it with a friend (accessible pdf). Local elections have a big impact on your life – make sure you are prepared to vote! Have a question? Call the DRW Voter Hotline at 844-347-8683.
Living Well Survey
DRW is a partner in the Wisconsin Living Well project coordinated by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. Living Well is a federal grant to improve the health, safety and community connections for people with disabilities eligible for Long-Term Care (e.g. people who use Family Care, IRIS, Partnership and the Children’s Long-Term supports). The Living Well team is working to ensure people with disabilities know their rights and how to report abuse. We…
DRW and DVC Public Comments for Wisconsin Election Commission
The Wisconsin Election Commission is meeting on December 1 at 8 AM to discuss their response to the Legislative Audit Bureau’s October 2021 Report on Elections Administration (Report 21-19). View December 2021 WEC meeting information on their website here. Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Disability Vote Coalition provided public comments to inform the Commission’s response. View the provided public comments from DRW and DVC here (accessible pdf).
Giving Tuesday 2021
Today, we celebrate Giving Tuesday: a day when the entire country gets together to show support for nonprofits doing essential work. We’d love for you to be a part of it with us! Support us by donating here! WHO: You, someone who really cares about protecting the rights of people with disabilities! WHAT: Giving Tuesday, a National Celebration of Giving WHEN: Today! HOW: Make a contribution to our #GivingTuesday campaign on November 30 using the link…
DIY Guide to Filing a Patient/Client Grievance Now Available!
Ever feel like your rights were violated by someone who was treating you for a mental illness? Ever feel like your family member or ward with an intellectual disability was not treated fairly by a provider agency? If so, you have the right under Wisconsin law to complain about how you were treated. DRW has developed a self-help packet that will guide you, step by step, through the process of filing a grievance against a…
DRW & DVC Statement Regarding LAB 2020 Election Administration Report
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee released their report on the administration of the November 2020 election in Wisconsin. A public hearing was held on November 9th. Overall the report affirms that our elections are safe, secure, and accurate. In the report, the Legislative Audit Bureau makes 30 recommendations to the Wisconsin Elections Commission and 18 issues for the Wisconsin Legislature to consider. Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Disability Vote Coalition submitted comments on the LAB…
Agencies Sign on to Affirm Voting Rights of Older Adults and People with Disabilities
The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy. Recent investigations have called into question the voting rights of care facility residents and people with disabilities, including cognitive disabilities. As advocates for people with disabilities and older adults, the undersigned agencies affirm these voting rights and demand that policy makers commit to upholding the state and federal laws that protect these voting rights. View the full statement affirming voting rights here (accessible pdf).