Disability Rights Wisconsin commends the signing of SB 19 which removes offensive languages about Wisconsinites with intellectual disabilities from administrative rules. DRW Executive Director Lea Kitz attended the bill signing; SB 19 moved forward with unanimous support and is the very first bill signed by Governor Evers. DRW thanks Representative Jagler and Senator Fitzgerald for their leadership advancing this policy change, and thanks Governor Evers for signing SB 19 into law. We look forward to…
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 Testimony to Assembly Committee on Campaigns & Elections
On Tuesday April 24th, the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections held a Public hearing on AB 168. This bill would require changes to Wisconsin’s requirement for voters to speak their name and address to receive a ballot. AB 168 will permit individuals who cannot state their name and address due to disability to have an election official or another individual selected by the voter state the name and address for them. Under current Wisconsin…
DRW State Budget Recommendations
Disability Rights Wisconsin has reviewed the Governor’s budget for proposals that may be important to people with disabilities and their families. There is one more opportunity to weigh in on the Governor’s Budget at the Joint Finance Hearing in Green Bay on April 24th at University of Wisconsin Green Bay, University Union, Phoenix Rooms. This is an important opportunity to share your priorities for the budget with policymakers. You can also send your comments to…
DRW Celebrates Governor’s Announcement on Caregiving Task Force
Disability Rights Wisconsin attended Governor Evers’ signing of an Executive Order to form a Caregiving Task Force on strengthening the direct care workforce and supporting families providing care for their loved ones. The Task Force will study caregiver recruitment and retention, compensation and benefits, access to healthcare, and provider registries. Wisconsin has been a leader in developing innovative ways to support people of all ages with disabilities in the community. Lea Kitz, Executive Director said,…
DRW Joins Lawsuit to Prevent Enforcement of Bills Passed by Wisconsin Legislature
DRW has joined with the League of Women Voters, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities and several other plaintiffs to file a lawsuit today in Dane County Circuit Court challenging the enforceability of the legislation adopted during an “extraordinary session” of the Wisconsin Legislature last month. The lawsuit asks the court to prevent the Wisconsin Election Commission and Governor Tony Evers from enforcing or implementing any of the provisions of the newly enacted laws. The lawsuit…
DRW’s PAIMI Advisory Council Invites you to Get Involved
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…
Save the Date for Giving Tuesday
Disability Rights Wisconsin is a proud member of Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW). CSW is a group of 65 member nonprofits leading efforts throughout Wisconsin to protect our civil rights and build a safe and sustainable future where everyone can thrive. Your support fuels a movement that is based on partnership, support, and collaboration between leaders in local grassroots organizations. On Giving Tuesday, please consider donating to Disability Rights Wisconsin or one of our CSW…
Support DRW on Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday Is Today! Why Disability Rights Wisconsin? Because DRW has a 41-year history of fighting to ensure that people with disabilities throughout the state are protected from abuse and neglect; and enjoy the basic rights we all share as citizens of Wisconsin. Please contribute so that DRW can continue to assert the rights of all citizens with disabilities through advocacy in the schools, the healthcare and social service systems, and all other places where…
New Study on Transportation in Wisconsin
Access to transportation is one of the top concerns for Wisconsinites with disabilities. A recent report, Arrive Together shows how people’s needs are not being met by Wisconsin’s transportation system. The report examines the effectiveness of public transit access to major employers and other areas of interest in nine cities and regions across Wisconsin. It highlights stories from transit riders, opportunities for improvement within transit systems, and the serious barriers and needs for improvement at…
Healthcare Groups Remain Concerned about Proposed Medicaid Oversight Changes
Wisconsin Health News covers the reaction of healthcare and disability groups to changes to Medicaid waivers approved by the State Legislature this week. DRW is quoted in the article.