News

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) has released a new report that finds that the number and rate of uninsured children rose across the nation between 2016 and 2018, reversing long-term progress. More than 4 million U.S. children lacked health coverage in 2018, up by more than 400,000 from two years prior. These coverage losses are widespread, with 15 states showing statistically significant increases. The rates of uninsured children are higher and growing faster…

Fox 6 News has posted a story about a mother who tried to warn the Wauwatosa School District about a teacher who had assaulted her daughter, but the district failed to remove him.  Months later, he assaulted another student and was criminally charged. Read or view the news story. Disability Rights Wisconsin has been working on improvements to the Seclusion and Restraint law which would include reporting annual statistics to the Wisconsin Department of Public…

Congratulations to Disability Rights Wisconsin’s Shirin Cabraal and Lisa Foley, who were both honored with the Distinguished Service Award at the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund’s Howard B Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner in Milwaukee on Saturday, November 2.  Legal Action of Wisconsin’s David Pifer received the Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award.  At the dinner, keynote speaker Don Verrilli, former U.S. Solicitor General, gave a stirring speech about the importance of ensuring all people in…

The Assembly Committee on Family Law is holding a public hearing regarding bills from the Speaker’s Task Force on Adoption. Disability Rights Wisconsin provided informational testimony for the committee. In reviewing these bills, DRW has assessed the impact these proposals will have on parents who have disabilities, families of children with disabilities who are at risk of child welfare intervention, children with disabilities in out of home placements, and children with disabilities adopted through the…

The National Disability Rights Network joined over 20 national organizations including disability rights, civil rights, education, and privacy groups to express concerns about the Restoring, Enhancing, Strengthening, and Promoting Our Nation’s Safety Efforts (RESPONSE) Act, legislation introduced by Senator Cornyn. In the letter sent to Senator Cornyn, the coalition applauds the recognition of the need for a federal effort to address mass violence, but expresses serious concern about focusing that effort on people with mental…

The National Disability Rights Network has published a new report, “Probation Referral: Model for Diversion of Children and Youth with Disabilities from the Juvenile Justice System“. The report is based upon the cases of scores of children with disabilities represented by the nationwide Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System, including Disability Rights Wisconsin. P&As provide legal and other advocacy services to children and youth with disabilities in the juvenile justice system, and also may maintain a…

Nationally, this day celebrates independence and mobility for people who are blind. In Wisconsin, the #WhiteCaneLaw states that drivers must stop 10 feet or more from pedestrians using white canes or service dogs. Following this rule makes streets safer for all of us. Help us spread the word about White Cane Safety Day by sharing this post and reminding your friends and family to stop at least 10 feet from crosswalks.  Please use the following…

Each year DRW provides the public with an opportunity to have input on our plan for using the funds we receive to provide Protection and Advocacy for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Our proposed plan for using these resources is outlined in our 2020 Proposed PADD Goals and Priorities. If you have any comment you would like to share with us, you can do so by emailing Mitchell Hagopian or by mailing comments to:…

Milwaukee-based effort to get building accessibility ratings on the web A UW-Milwaukee center that works on disability issues is developing an online way to inform people about access to public buildings like restaurants. It’s hoped the computer system will be ready by the time the Democratic National Convention comes to town next summer. But once finished, the access ratings could be used by anyone. WUWM reported on this new project underway at University of Wisconsin…

The Speakers Task Force on Suicide Prevention has issued an interim report with policy recommendations. The report contains a brief description of hearings held by the task force throughout the state, explains the recommended legislation that was drafted in response to the testimony and discussion at those hearings, and identifies topics that the task force may continue to explore as the legislative session proceeds. A list of task force members is attached as an appendix…