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.

Now Hiring: Advocacy Specialist, Client Assistance Program

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DRW now has an open Advocacy Specialist position within our Client Assistance Program, which assists people with disabilities that have questions or concerns about services received through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or through an Independent Living Center. The Advocacy Specialist primarily works with clients, providing advocacy and/or representation to individuals statewide as part of our interdisciplinary Civil Rights team. The position will involve giving information, advice, and self-advocacy assistance over the phone, and representing…
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Now Hiring: Staff Attorney, Community & Institutions Team

A gavel and scales of justice sit on a desk.
Are you passionate about legal advocacy for people with disabilities within Wisconsin’s community-based or institutional settings?  We are now accepting applications for our open Staff Attorney position on our Community and Institutions Team within our Protection and Advocacy program. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for individual case practice, such as providing timely and effective legal assistance and representation on behalf of people with disabilities. They will also assist the C&I Team in DRW’s systems…
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DRW is part of The Big Share 2023 – Donate now through March 7

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Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW), a member organization of Community Shares Wisconsin, will be part of The Big Share 2023. The Big Share is Tuesday, March 7. This online day of giving is a fun and easy way to donate to Disability Rights Wisconsin and make change happen. Don’t wait until then, contribute now at our Big Share page. The Big Share is hosted by Community Shares of Wisconsin to support the organization’s nearly 70 nonprofit…
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Now Hiring: Office Coordinator

A collection of office supplies. The text says "Now Hiring"
DRW is looking for an administrative person who can go with the flow! Could that be you? We have an open position for an Office Coordinator based out of our Milwaukee office. The position is responsible for office administrative operations and coordination, ensuring that smooth operations, general appearances of the space, and organization of materials and functions are taken care of. The Office Coordinator will also be involved in collaborations with DRW staff in project…
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Now Hiring: Human Resources Manager

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DRW is searching for a remarkable person to join our organization as the Human Resources Manager! DRW plans to transition from contracted HR to in-house HR. The new Human Resources Manager will have the opportunity to develop the position and will be responsible for all of DRW’s HR positions. These responsibilities include employee and supervisor support and communications, benefits administration, personnel policy management, compliance and reporting, personnel file and information management, salary determination support, and…
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2022 Home Upgrade Grant Program

Scrabble tiles spell the word News; a stack of newspapers is in the background
Drafty home? High utility bills? Low-income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities who own their home may be eligible for a grant program for energy upgrades. Upgrades include insulation, gap sealing, air conditioning, and more. The program will be open until grant funding is used. Learn more about the 2022 Home Upgrade Grant Program. View the accessible 2022 Home Upgrade Grant flyer. Contact Katy Kraemer via phone at 414-604-6418 or via email at katy@greenhomeownersunited.com or Revitalize…
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Mental Health Advocates Needed

Members of the PAIMI Advisory Council meet online on Zoom.
The DRW PAIMI Advisory Council is seeking new members who want to advance positive change in for the rights of Wisconsinites with mental health diagnoses. DRW’s PAIMI program protects the human and civil rights of children and adults with serious mental health conditions. PAIMI stands for Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness. DRW’s PAIMI advocacy is supported by a PAIMI Advisory Council (PAC). DRW’s PAC members come from around the state. They educate…
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Longtime DRW Attorney Mitch Hagopian Retires

Mitch Hagopian, an older man with a beard and glasses, sits at a conference table while smiling into the camera.
View an accessible PDF of this article here. Mitch Hagopian came to the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy (now Disability Rights Wisconsin) 21 years ago to provide legal assistance and advocacy to persons with disabilities. His experience providing legal assistance to the elderly and to people in rural western Wisconsin, as well as his desire to improve the lives of people with disabilities and break down systemic challenges, brought him to DRW.  Mitch retires today and…
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Guardianship & Voting: Keeping and Restoring the Right to Vote

A book is open on a desk with a magnifying glass on top of it and a scales of justice in the background.
In Wisconsin, adults under guardianship retain the right to vote unless the court has expressly removed that right. Only a court can take away the right to vote. An individual who has lost the right to vote can petition the court to have their right to vote restored. This new video discusses guardianship and voting in Wisconsin, and how to keep and restore the right to vote. The video includes an ASL interpreter and captioning….
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Survey: COVID-19 & People with Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities

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From our partners at the Waisman Center: Survey Research Opportunity: How is COVID-19 Impacting People with Developmental or Intellectual Disabilities in Wisconsin? We want to learn about how COVID-19 and the pandemic impacted the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Wisconsin. If you are a person with an intellectual and developmental disability OR a care partner, you can complete the survey. Please take our online survey that will take you about 20…
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