Disability Rights Wisconsin is deeply concerned by the Legislature’s rush to push forward bills released late Friday in the Extraordinary Session planned for today. The proposals give oversight of Wisconsin Medicaid waivers to the legislature, leaving state agencies potentially unable to carry out their core mission. This shift has the possibility to affect services that are critical to adults and families of children with disabilities, including Family Care, IRIS, mental health services, Children’s Long-Term Waiver…
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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 Comments to Wisconsin Election Commission
The Wisconsin Election Commission met in Madison today, and provided an opportunity for comments from members of the public. DRW Voting Outreach Advocacy Specialist Wendy Heyn spoke to members of the Commission to share DRW’s observations from our voter education and outreach, and related recommendations, as well as our perspective on Extraordinary Session legislative proposals that impact voting. DRW’s comments are posted here.
Medicare Open Enrollment for 2019
Medicare’s Open Enrollment has begun. Now is the time for all Medicare beneficiaries to take a look at their coverage for 2019. Will the Part D plan continue to cover all medication? Will the Medicare Advantage plan make changes that will affect medical providers, coverage of drugs and pharmacy? For help with these questions and others call the Disability Drug Benefit Helpline at 1-800-926-4862. Here to help all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of disability or age.
Senator Baldwins Reforms to Protect Rights of Disabled Airline Passengers Pass Congress
PRESS RELEASE By U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin worked to include a number of key measures from her Air Carrier Access Amendments Act in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 to protect the rights of disabled airplane passengers and close service gaps that passengers with disabilities frequently encounter in air travel. The reforms included in the legislation passed the House and the Senate and now head to the President…
October Is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
“America’s Workforce: Empowering All” Disability Rights Wisconsin is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Held each October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. To learn more about the history of the ADA and disability employment follow the link below for a great timeline put together by the United States Department of Labor. Disability and Employment: A Timeline
Voter Advocacy in the News
Advocates from voter rights groups, including Barbara Beckert from Disability Rights Wisconsin, were interviewed by Wisconsin Eye Newsmakers and Wisconsin Public Radio this week. Wisconsin Eye Newsmakers: Voter Advocacy Groups Preview the November Election On October 18, 2018, Senior Producer Steve Walters sat down with voter advocacy groups to preview the November election. Jay Heck from Common Cause, Erin Grunze from League of Women Voters and Barbara Beckert from Disability Rights Wisconsin were on the…
Victim Advocacy Program Awareness Poster
The Victim Advocacy Program, in partnership with a local marketing firm who provided donated services to our program, recently created the awareness poster shown here. It is designed to be posted wherever people with disabilities might see it such as the reception area of a service provider, bathrooms, places of worship, and local community centers. If you are interested in obtaining a poster for display, please contact info@drwi.org or call (608) 267-0214.
DRW Seeks Comment on Annual Plan for Its PADD Federal Grant
DRW Seeks Comment on Annual Plan for Its “Protection and Advocacy-Developmental Disabilities” Federal Grant DRW seeks public comments on our proposed 2019 Goals and Priorities for our federal grant to protect and advocate on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These goals and priorities will determine how DRW will allocate its federal protection and advocacy resources on behalf of people with IDD during the next year. These goals and priorities were developed with…
Disability Rights Wisconsin is seeking an Executive Director
DRW ED Position Announcement: Read More Here! Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) is seeking an Executive Director to lead our non-profit organization responsible for providing legally-based protection and advocacy services for people with disabilities. DRW’s next Executive Director will continue to advance the rights of people with disabilities through high-quality advocacy, legal representation, and cooperation with the disability rights and social justice communities in the state. The position is based in Wisconsin’s state capital, Madison. Sincerely,…
Milwaukee County Mental Health Board approves new contract for inpatient care
DRW has advocated for Milwaukee County to transition mental health services to a community based model, with increased funding for community services, and decreased reliance on institutional and inpatient care. Yesterday, the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board approved an agreement to contract with Universal Health Services to provide inpatient care currently provided by the county. This has the potential to significantly increase the funding available for community services. DRW Milwaukee Office Director Barbara Beckert comments…
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