News

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.

“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

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…

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 “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…

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,…

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…

Taken from Disability Scoop A new documentary featuring a who’s who of Hollywood A-listers is delving into the history of how disabilities are portrayed on screen. The film “CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion” analyzes how disability has been represented in movies and on television over the last 120 years, examining everything from silent films to modern-day blockbusters. Weighing in on the evolution are Ben Affleck, William H. Macy, Marlee Matlin, RJ Mitte, Jamie Foxx, Geena…

Are you an elderly or disabled Medicare beneficiary with questions about your Part D prescription drug benefit? Feeling overwhelmed? Disability Rights Wisconsin’s Medicare Part D Helpline is here to help – you may be able to save money on your Part D premium, deductible and co-pays. The Medicare annual open enrollment period starts October 15 to December 7. Answers and solutions start here. For free and unbiased assistance, you can call the Medicare Part D Helpline by dialing 1-800-926-4862.