News

According to an article posted by the Racine Journal Times a recent report of the Racine Unified’s special education program “there has to be meaningful shifts in beliefs, attitudes, and practice.  The report was the result of a review of Racine Unified’s special education program by an outside agency ordered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in February.  The review was ordered following a complaint filed by Disability Rights Wisconsin in December 2018 on…

PAIMI is DRW’s Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness program.    DRW’s PAIMI Advisory Council (PAC) works to protect the rights of children and adults with serious mental health conditions, and to advise the DRW staff and Board on priorities for our advocacy work. Council members are appointed for a two years term.  They are asked to attend PAC meetings (at least three times a year) and to assist with outreach to educate…

The Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Mental Health considered and approved Assembly Bill 633 – Transport for Emergency Detention. The bill would clarify that law enforcement agencies can contract with third parties to transport those in mental health crisis for emergency detention. The committee supported an amendment that requires the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to establish criteria for transport companies that aren’t law enforcement agencies or ambulance services to be certified to receive Medicaid…

Bars and restaurants cannot automatically distribute single-use plastic straws, beginning April 14, 2020, under a new rule in the city of Milwaukee. Milwaukee’s Common Council approved the measure by a vote of 14 to 1 on Nov. 26. They can also provide straws upon customer request. The latter provision accommodates a suggestion by Bill Crowley, an attorney for Disability Rights Wisconsin.  Here is an article about the new rule.  

Disability Rights Wisconsin was surprised with a gift of $1,000 on Giving Tuesday by Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC). The donation was made in honor of DRW Board Treasurer Theresa Zenchenko, in recognition of her volunteer and philanthropic work through the company. TASC is dedicated to strengthening the communities where their employees live and work. As part of that commitment, TASC offers programs to employees to help them help others. These programs are coordinated by…

The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition (WDVC) has a new video to encourage voters with disabilities to consider serving as a poll worker, sometimes called an election inspector.  A friendly, knowledgeable poll worker can make the difference for a voter trying to make their voice heard at the polls.  If we have more poll workers who have a disability, it may help our polling places to be more accessible and disability informed.  Check out the video…

Accessibility continues to be a challenge for many Wisconsin voters with disabilities. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel took a look at the some of the barriers experienced by Wisconsin voters with disabilities. Check out their story. If you are a voter with a disability who has experienced a barrier to casting your vote or registering to vote, DRW would like to hear from you. Contact us via email at info or call the DRW Voter Hotline…

Disability Advocates gathered at the Capitol today to delivery testimony supporting the changes to the current seclusion and restraint law.  These changes to the law will create greater transparency on the use of seclusion and restraint across the state, provide better reporting to families, focus on better de-escalation strategies, and require school to debrief after each incident.  We look forward to a hearing in the Assembly Education Committee and quick approval to move this bill…