As hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities develop policies that dictate allocation of scarce medical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that great care be taken to prevent those policies from adversely affecting people with disabilities. While we recognize the need to plan and be prepared for healthcare resource shortages during these extraordinary times, the guiding principles that are adopted must be consistent with federal civil rights law and must not discriminate against…
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.
What does the Safer at Home Order Mean for People with Disabilities
![Governor Evers speaking at podium with people standing behind him](https://i0.wp.com/disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/evers-at-podium.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1)
Governor Evers issued an order on March 24th in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency requiring all people to stay at home except for: essential activities, to carry out essential government functions, to operate essential business and operations, and for essential travel. This order goes into effect on March 25th at 8:00 am. What does this order mean for people with disabilities? You can read the full order here.
DRW Continues to Offer Services during COVID 19 Pandemic – 3/18 update
![COVID 19 virus](https://i0.wp.com/disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COVID19-Image1200x630.jpg?fit=300%2C158&ssl=1)
Disability Rights Wisconsin continues to offer services during the COVID 19 pandemic. Until at least April 1, 2020, or longer if needed, all DRW’s offices will be closed. DRW attorneys and advocates are using phone and video conferencing to continue providing advocacy and public policy services. Participation in gatherings has been cancelled. All staff in those offices are working from home and have the equipment and technology needed to do so. People can contact DRW…
Voting in the April 7th Election
![I voted absentee button with American flag](https://i0.wp.com/disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IVotedabsentee1200x628.jpg?fit=300%2C157&ssl=1)
Absentee Voting Because of concerns about COVID-19, the Wisconsin Election Commission is encouraging Wisconsin voters to vote early. Any Wisconsin voter who is registered to vote, can request an absentee ballot. The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition website has great information about voting absentee in the upcoming election. Voter Accessibility Survey If you vote in person in the April election (either early or on April 7th), the Disability Vote Coalition wants to hear about your experience! …
COVID 19 in Plain Language
![two people elbow bumping](https://i0.wp.com/disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/elbow-bump.jpg?fit=300%2C205&ssl=1)
It can sometimes be difficult to take in and understand all of the changing and sometimes confusing information about COVID 19. A plain language explanation of COVID 19 has been developed by and for people with disabilities by selfadvocacyinfo.org.
Governor Evers signs Act 118 regulating seclusion and restraint
![Governor Evers, Joanne Johnke and Sally Flaschberger](https://i0.wp.com/disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/JoanneSally400x300.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1)
On March 2, 2020, Governor Evers signed into law Act 118 which makes improvements to Wisconsin law regulating the use of restraint and seclusion in Wisconsin schools. This has been a top priority for Disability Rights Wisconsin and it’s very gratifying to see it become law. On behalf of the students, parents and staff this law will help — thank you to everyone who worked so hard to advance this much needed change. Act 118…
DRW Disappointed in Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Dismissal of Waukesha Co. v. J.J.H.
![scales of justice](https://i0.wp.com/disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/scales-2.png?fit=300%2C235&ssl=1)
DRW was disappointed to learn Thursday that the Wisconsin Supreme Court had dismissed Waukesha County v. J.J.H., an important case regarding a deaf individual’s right to effective communication during a mental health probable cause hearing. DRW first become involved with this case months ago when we filed a brief with the Supreme Court in collaboration with several other advocacy organizations supporting J.J.H’s petition asking the Supreme Court to hear her case because of the important…
The #2020Census counts: Be counted!
![The #2020Census counts: Be counted!](https://i0.wp.com/disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/census_graphic_stacked_blue-e1582520387675.png?fit=300%2C128&ssl=1)
People with disabilities are historically under counted in the census. It is vital that people with disabilities participate in the census because results are used by federal, state, and local government to make funding decisions about education, housing, health care, transportation, mental health other services. In FY2016, Wisconsin received $12,608,476,954 through 55 federal spending programs guided by data derived from the 2010 Census. Census results are also used to determine representation in Congress. DRW is…
DRW Applauds Assembly for Passing SB 527 Seclusion and Restraint Law
![WIsconsinEye passing of senate bill 527](https://i0.wp.com/disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/SB527-e1582332027675.jpg?fit=300%2C164&ssl=1)
Disability Rights Wisconsin applauds the full Assembly for passing SB 527 which makes common-sense changes to Wisconsin’s seclusion and restraint law. We especially thank Representatives Quinn and Considine for their leadership in the Assembly on this bill. Please see our Release on the Passing of SB 527. In February 2016, Wisconsin Family Ties (WFT), Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW), and WI FACETS produced a report Miles to Go detailing the distressingly high data on restraint and…
DRW Testimony AB 898 – Voting after Registration
![Scrabble tiles spell the word News; a stack of newspapers is in the background](https://i0.wp.com/disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/News-post.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1)
DRW provided testimony regarding AB 898 at the February 13th Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections hearing. DRW’s testimony shared our concern about the provision in AB 898 which would require voters who register to vote electronically or by mail, to vote for the first time after such registration, in person at the polling place or by in-person absentee ballot. Lack of access to transportation, accessibility issues at Wisconsin polling places, and fluctuating symptoms or…
Get Updates from the DRW Website
Keep up with the Latest from DRW! You will receive an email when new posts are added to our website. This includes News and Updates, Events, Action Alerts, Public Policy updates and Press Releases.