DRW’s Mitch Hagopian submitted testimony in support of AB 400 to the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. AB 400 will respond to abuse and neglect of some of the most vulnerable people in our state and will ensure that will ensure that all allegations of abuse and neglect of at-risk-adults will be investigated. This legislation will make the adult-at-risk reporting system equivalent to the elder abuse system, which has always required that…
Press Releases
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.
Public Comment Period Open through 9/1/21 for CAP Redesignation
The Governor intends to redesignate the Client Assistance Program (CAP) from the WI Division of Trade and Consumer Protection (DTACP) to Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW). DRW is the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy system, charged with protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. DRW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with funding from federal and state grants to provide individual and systems advocacy to ensure that Wisconsinites with disabilities can access what they need to live…
Governor Intends to Redesignate the Client Assistance Program to DRW
Yesterday Governor Evers announced his intent to redesignate the Client Assistance Program (CAP) from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), to Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW). Disability Rights Wisconsin is the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy system (P&A), with programs dedicated to protecting the rights of people with disabilities. The CAP is a natural fit, and in fact, is designated in most states with the P&A. DRW welcomes this opportunity and appreciates…
Voters with Disabilities Speak Out on Voting Rights on ADA 31st
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is releasing Voting Rights Are Human Rights: In Our Own Voices. This document shares the voices of voters with disabilities and their allies who are concerned about voting bills recently approved by the Wisconsin State Legislature. The bills will create new barriers and impact the voting rights of hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites with a disability, older adults and other voters. We are releasing this new resource as we honor…
Press Release: DRW Calls for Special Education Budget Investment
Disability Rights Wisconsin is calling upon the Joint Finance Committee of the state legislature to support a state budget investment that funds 50% of special education expenses for Wisconsin’s nearly 118,00 public school students with disabilities when the committee meets on Thursday to take up education provisions in the budget. “Wisconsin has underfunded special education for years and none of the options that the JFC has proposed come close to meeting the need for our…
DRW Letter to Wisconsin DHS regarding COVID Vaccine Distribution System
Disability Rights Wisconsin has asked the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to reconsider their priority system for COVID vaccine distribution. DRW requests equal access to all groups in phase 1b, including Family Care members, IRIS participants, and older Children’s Long Term Support (CLTS) and Katie Beckett recipients. Read the letter to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services here (accessible PDF).
DRW Commends Governor Evers’s Mental Health Budget Initiatives
Today, Governor Evers shared his proposal to expand BadgerCare and to invest over $150 million in mental health and behavioral health services. Disability Rights Wisconsin supports this investment, which will expand access to mental health services for Wisconsin at a time of great need in our state. View Disability Rights Wisconsin’s statement here (accessible PDF). View Governor Evers’ mental health budget proposal here.
DRW Statement on Governor’s Investments in Children, Families, Caregivers
DRW commends Governor Evers’ budget proposals investing in Wisconsin children, families and caregivers. The proposed $600 million package includes many of the recommendations form the Governor’s Task Force on Caregiving, and investments important to people with disabilities and their families. View DRW’s statement here (accessible PDF). View Governor Evers’ Proposal here.
DRW Statement on Indefinitely Confined Voters
(View this press release as a PDF or read the content below.) As the federally mandated protection and advocacy agency for Wisconsin, DRW provides education and assistance to people with disabilities to promote their full participation in the electoral process. During the 2020 elections, DRW has provided assistance to hundreds of Wisconsinites with disabilities and older adults, who wanted to safely and lawfully cast a ballot during the pandemic. This year, voting absentee was a…
Press Release: Know Your Voter Rights
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition urges voters with disabilities to make a plan to safely cast their ballot tomorrow. Approximately 23% of the electorate will be people with disabilities, according to the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Many voters with disabilities report barriers to asserting their right to vote, and COVID-19 has created additional difficulties. The Disability Vote Coalition encourages voters to check MyVote Wisconsin for their polling place as it may have…
Get Updates from the DRW Website
Keep up with the Latest from DRW! You will receive an email when new posts are added to our website. This includes News and Updates, Events, Action Alerts, Public Policy updates and Press Releases. By subscribing you agree to receive information from Disability Rights Wisconsin and agree with our Privacy Page. You may unsubscribe at any time.