News

Voters in Wisconsin’s upcoming February 16 primary election will select a candidate for State Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction. Mark your calendars! The Spring election is April 6th.  Offices to be elected are State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Court of Appeals Judge, Districts I, II and III, and Circuit Court Judge, as well as other local offices. The Superintendent provides leadership for Wisconsin’s public school districts, provides the public with information about school…

This year, more than ever, the work of Disability Rights Wisconsin has been crucial in protecting the rights of people with disabilities in Wisconsin. Over the past year, we have worked to protect the right to vote, advocated for safety and access to COVID treatment and to the vaccine, and made sure that kids in school are protected from abusive practices. This work wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of our staff and friends, and…

The Disability Rights Wisconsin PAIMI Advisory Council held a virtual event on February 1st to highlight DRW’s Mental Health Advocacy Assistance. See below for a recording of the event (coming soon) and resources. DRW PAIMI Priorities survey: We want to hear from you. Please complete the DRW PAIMI Priorities survey to share your priorities for DRW’s mental health advocacy assistance. View and complete the PAIMI Priorities survey here. Virtual Event Flyer: View the event flyer…

The National Disability Rights Network has been involved in a long battle to make sure Amtrak stations become accessible. While there have been improvements, most Amtrak stations do not met standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. A settlement has been reached and claims can be made.  Below it the press release from the Department of Justice. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs For Immediate Release Friday, January 29, 2021 $2.25 Million Fund…

Milwaukee County is planning changes to its crisis mental health services, including a new mental health emergency center. WUWM talks with stakeholders about the proposed changes for emergency mental health care, including DRW’s Barbara Beckert. Listen in and read with WUWM’s Bubbler Talk here: Mental Health Care in Milwaukee County Could Include New Emergency Center.

New Guidance on Eligibility for Vaccine The COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed to Wisconsin residents in a phased approach. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has provided clarification about who is considered “direct care personnel” and is eligible to receive the COVID vaccine now as part of the first phase, called “1a”. This updated definition includes paid and unpaid caregivers of children and adults enrolled in long term care programs. This is the updated definition…

Disability Rights Wisconsin played an instrumental role in last year’s improvements to Wisconsin law regulating restraint and seclusion in school.  The Department of Public Instruction has for the first time released statewide restraint and seclusion data as a result.  Joanne Juhnke, Advocacy Specialist in Special Education for DRW, spoke with WPR about the importance of reducing these dangerous emergency measures for students with disabilities: Elementary School Students, Students With Disabilities More Likely To Be Restrained…

After much careful consideration, DRW has completed its consideration of priority populations for 1b phase of COVID vaccinations. DRW strongly supports the Wisconsin’s State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee’s (SDMAC) decision to include members in Family Care and IRIS in the carefully considered priority plan for the next phase of COVID vaccine distribution. Further, DRW is very supportive of including individuals who are incarcerated. Read DRW’s comments for the reasons why.  

DRW has some new resources to share to keep you informed about the COVID-19 vaccine. Our partners at the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities have published an excellent plain language information sheet about the COVID 19 vaccine.   Attorney Mitch Hagopian, Disability Rights Wisconsin, and Marcia Stickel, RN,Waisman Center, joined BPDD Living Well on this video to talk about the new COVID-19 vaccine.  The video addresses what the vaccine means, when we can…