News

September 24th is National Voter Registration Day.  DRW and the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition are working to increase participation of Wisconsinites with disabilities in the electoral process including voter registration. To promote voter registration in the disability community, we have launched a postcard campaign. Disability Vote Coalition postcards include dates for the 2020 elections, information about voter registration and Photo ID requirements, and where to call for help. Postcards are ideal to share at community…

Governor Evers has made appointments to the Governor’s Task Force on Caregiving. The Task Force was created in February when Evers created Executive Order #11. The Governor created the Task Force in an effort to address the workforce shortage in caregivers, an issue that was discussed as part of the state budget. Congratulations to DRW’s Bill Crowley who was appointed by Governor Evers to serve on the Task Force. The Task Force is charged with:…

DRW submitted testimony in support of Senate Bill 89 which would expand the pool of professionals that can provide basic dental care, by establishing Dental Therapists in Wisconsin. Dental Therapists could help to address dental care access issues faced by people with disabilities and other under-served populations. Access to dental care is a major concern for many Wisconsinites who have a disability, resulting in many preventable extractions, a high incidence of periodontal disease, and other…

The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) is seeking applications for their SPARKS Grants. The purpose of SPARKS Grants is to organize local grassroots groups to make changes in their communities that make the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) better, including individuals with diverse identities and/or individuals that are under-served. Grassroots community organizing means groups that are led by individuals with disabilities together with their allies, who are working…

Help with Medicare Part D costs If Medicare Part D costs are getting expensive, you may be able to get help. For those with lower income, you can apply at Social Security for “extra help” to pay for Part D plan premiums, copays, and deductibles. Anyone with Medicaid is automatically eligible for help with Medicare Part D premiums, copays, and deductibles. Call the Disability Rights Wisconsin Medicare Part D helpline at 1-800-926-4862 for more information….

The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is proud to announce National Disability Voter Registration Week from July 15 to 19. The week is part of the “REV UP” campaign, a national, nonpartisan effort to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the electoral process and to ensure accessibility of the voting process. The Coalition will be holding events in Milwaukee, Eau Claire, and Madison throughout the week. The disability community, members of the public, and…

On July 3rd, Governor Evers signed into law the budget passed by the Wisconsin Legislature. DRW’s statement on the budget commends key budget investments that will benefit Wisconsinites with disabilities, and also notes unmet needs, including the failure to adequately fund special education services. Read DRW’s statement here.

Congratulations to Wisconsin Association of the Deaf and other advocates who worked to advance the passage of AB 250, which provides for a more appropriate scope of practice for sign language interpreters in the state, gives more protections for members of the Deaf community, and helps address the level of access. AB 250 also helps attract new and retain current sign language interpreters by increasing access to sign language interpreter licensure exams in Wisconsin. DRW…

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is planning to submit requests to renew the 1915(b) and 1915(c) Family Care waivers for the Family Care program to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These waivers give Wisconsin options to provide Medicaid services in home and community-based settings and through managed care. Disability Rights Wisconsin has submitted comments to DHS regarding the proposed changes for the Family Care waiver.  Read “DRW Comments on Renewal…

Voter Registration Video to Premier at Wisconsin Association of the Deaf Conference The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition (WDVC), in partnership with Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (WAD), and with support of the Wisconsin Election Commission, is pleased to introduce a new video on voter registration, featuring deaf voters. The video will be premiered Saturday evening, June 22, at the 2019 WAD conference. WAD was a key partner in developing the video and WAD members Ron…