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.

Denise Johnson to Receive the MMHTF Karen Avery Award

August 31, 2018

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Denise Johnson to Receive the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force

Karen Avery Award

September 11th at IndependenceFirst

The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) is delighted to announce that Denise Johnson will be the fifth recipient of the Karen Avery Award. The award was established to honor Karen’s tremendous legacy as an advocate, mentor, peer, and leader in advancing the rights of people with disabilities, and supporting independence and power for people with disabilities. Karen was a leader in the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force and a mentor to so many.  Click here to view a printable announcement.

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Emotional support animal debate comes to a boil at Racine’s lakeside condos

Tia Cao with her two dogs, which are certified emotional support animals.
August 29, 2018

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RACINE — A lakefront condominium complex and its residents are grappling with seemingly conflicting federal and state laws regarding the hot-button debate surrounding assistance animals. Earlier this summer, John Miller, 49, and his girlfriend, Tia Cao, had two dogs living with them at Lakeshore Towers, 333 Lake Ave. The dogs, both Pomeranians weighing less than 10 pounds each, are certified emotional support animals, according to a document provided by Miller. However, Lakeshore has a strict…
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1 in 4 U.S. adults has a disability, CDC says

Centers for Disease control and prevention
August 20, 2018

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New government research finds 61 million U.S. adults – about 1 in 4 Americans – have a disability that impacts a major part of their life. According to the report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common disability type, mobility, affects 1 in 7 adults. With age, disability becomes more common, affecting approximately 2 in 5 adults age 65 and older Read more about this story at CBS News.
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Wisconsin Program Offers Bike Rides to the Elderly, Disabled

Carolyn Brandeen rides in the front as Cathy Blackburn begins to pedal an electronically assisted three-wheeled bike during a training session in Janesville.
August 18, 2018

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Trishaws are bringing the joys of bicycle riding to those who can no longer pedal. Losing the ability to walk on your own often means losing the ability to ride a bike for yourself, too. For the elderly who perhaps cannot eat or sleep well either, seeing nature on a bike path or feeling a fall air can make them feel young again Six members of the Janesville Velo Club recently learned how to pilot a trishaw,…
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Medicaid Expansion Leads to Higher Employment

A construction worker in a wheelchair
August 17, 2018

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A new study found there is a higher rate of employment among people with disabilities in states where Medicaid has been expanded. People with disabilities are more likely to be employed in states where Medicaid coverage has been expanded as part of the Affordable Care Act. New research published Thursday in the American Journal of Public Health found the number of people who report not working due to their disability has decreased significantly in states where…
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Upcoming Elections Information Postcard

The word, "Vote" on Scrabble tiles
July 9, 2018

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DRW and the Wisconsin Disability Voting Coalition work to support full participation of voters with disabilities in the electoral process, and educate the disability community about voting rights and access issues.  We have developed this postcard about the 2018 elections, coming up August 14 and November 6.  We need your help get the word out to the disability community with the Disability Vote Coalition Postcard.  You can share the PDF with your email list, or on social…
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DRW Board Announces the Agency’s Leadership Change

Compass with leadership at top and dial pointing it.
June 21, 2018

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Disability Rights Wisconsin Executive Director, Dan Idzikowski tendered his resignation which was accepted by the board leadership effective June 15, 2018. We are very appreciative of all that Dan has contributed to DRW during his tenure at the agency and thank him for his service. While the DRW board is in the process of developing a succession plan, Laura Hanson, the DRW Director of Operations and Quality, has agreed to be “acting director.” We are…
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Wisconsin DOJ Launches Elder Abuse Website

screenshot of purple wisconsin report elder abuse site
June 13, 2018

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From Superior Telegram here is a link to the original post: An online resource offers Wisconsin residents a new option for reporting elder abuse. The website, www.ReportElderAbuseWI.org, is the next phase in the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s campaign to raise awareness about elder abuse and encourage citizens to report abuse against seniors. “Elder abuse is drastically underreported, and it can be deadly,” said Attorney General Brad Schimel. “Studies show that even modest abuse increases the…
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Washington’s First Lobbyist with Down Syndrome Works to Help People with Disabilities

Kayla Mckeon smiling
June 7, 2018

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As the first registered Washington lobbyist with Down syndrome, Kayla McKeon is fighting for change on behalf of people with disabilities across the country! Kayla began working as the Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in October, lobbying for laws that will make it easier for people with disabilities to be independent and thrive. She also hopes that her example will inspire other people with disabilities, especially people with Down syndrome, by…
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DRW provides comments to DHS on the proposed amendment to Wisconsin’s Family Care Waiver

Map of Wisconsin Tribes
May 30, 2018

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DRW understands that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has been working with the state’s 11 Federally recognized Tribes for a long time to find avenues to provide culturally sensitive and relevant long-term care services for Tribal members in the context of Wisconsin’s Family Care Waivers. These efforts require the balancing of federal requirements and Tribal sovereignty. Though there seem to be missing pieces to clarifying a complicated process, we are pleased to see…
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