Disability Rights Wisconsin filed a group complaint against the Racine Unified School District in December 2018. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction found the District out of compliance and ordered the school district hire an outside consultant to do a program review of special education. Disability Rights Wisconsin advocates for students in the Racine District and continues to see violations of student’s rights under IDEA. DRW is hopeful this will finally bring about substantive change…
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.
DRW PAIMI Advisory Council Meets
DRW’s PAIMI Advisory Council met in Milwaukee on Friday March 29th. Council Chair Teresa Wargo welcomed 5 new Council members, and the Council discussed plans for 2019. PAIMI stands for Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness. The PAIMI Advisory Council helps the DRW staff and board of directors set priorities for the PAIMI program and advises the board on policies and issues that affect people with mental illness. The Council also serves as…
DCTS 2018 Annual Report
Annual report from DHS Division of Care and Treatment Services The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Division of Care and Treatment Services has issued their annual report. This division oversees division which seven care and treatment facilities, community mental health and substance use services, community forensic treatment services, and the protection of client rights for individuals receiving services for developmental disability, mental health, and substance use. Here is a link to the report
Turn Out the Disability Vote April 2nd
Turn Out the Disability Vote April 2nd DRW and the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition are working to turn out the vote for the April 2nd election. Voters will elect a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice, and many communities have local elections for mayor, school board, city alderpersons, village board trustees, and city, village and clerks or clerk/treasurers. Check out our fact sheet to learn why the Wisconsin Supreme Court is so important. Our Frequently Asked Questions…
Remembering Gwen Jackson
Disability Rights Wisconsin honors the life and legacy of Gwen Jackson, as we mourn her passing. Gwen served as the President of the Disability Rights Wisconsin Board; serving on the DRW Board from 1998 to 2003. Jackson passed away March 20th at the age of 90, after a lifetime of activism and service. At DRW, we remember Gwen as a champion for the disability rights movement, a tireless leader, and a dear friend who loved…
Keep $600 Million Investment for Special Education in Budget
Help Children with Disabilities – Keep $600 Million Investment for Special Education in Budget Governor Evers is proposing a 60% reimbursement rate for special education funding in his budget, up from the current 24.5%. This would invest $600 million state dollars into special education, reducing pressure on local districts that are currently providing most of the funding. Some legislative leaders do not believe this investment is necessary. Please take this very short survey and…
DHS Awards Grant to Fund New Peer-Run Respite for Veterans
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has awarded Mental Health America of Wisconsin a grant to develop and manage the nation’s first peer-run respite home for veterans experiencing distress related to mental health and substance use challenges. The grant requires this peer-run respite to be located in the Milwaukee area, but its services will be available to veterans who live anywhere in the state. It’s a $307,668 start-up grant through June, with annual renewals…
Successful Lawsuit Invalidating Extraordinary Session Laws
Disability Rights Wisconsin was pleased with the ruling of the Dane County Circuit Court today which struck down the entirety of the “extraordinary session” as unconstitutional. As part of this ‘extraordinary session’ provisions were adopted that made dramatic changes to Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. Those changes put Wisconsinites with disabilities at risk and undermine DRW’s ability to effectively carry out its federally designated protection and advocacy functions as well as have wide-reaching negative effects on Wisconsin…
DRW Supports AB20 – language changes for ppl w intellectual DBs
Disability Rights Wisconsin submitted testimony in support of AB 20 which would make terminology changes for those with an intellectual disability in administrative rules. DRW thanks Representative Jagler and Senator Fitzgerald for advancing this change. We also want to recognize and thank the many self advocates with intellectual disabilities who have helped to educate us about the importance of respectful language.
DRW Asks Wisconsin Election Commission to Take Action
Voting is an important civil right. Today, DRW’s Barbara Beckert and other disability advocates asked the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC) to act to protect the rights of voters with disabilities by supporting legislative changes to the requirement for Wisconsin voters to state their name and address to receive a ballot. Some voters cannot state their name and address due to disability or medical condition; Wisconsin law does not require a disability related accommodation for these…
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