People with disabilities are disproportionately entangled with the criminal justice system. The number of youth with disabilities in what has come to be called ‘the school to prison pipeline’ has grown with the advent of zero-tolerance policies. Access to accommodations is an imperative component of making sure justice is accessible to everyone. Even when convicted, people with disabilities may experience abuse, discrimination, treatment refusal or other neglect in correctional or psychiatric facilities.
Criminal Justice
Self-Advocacy Resources
Our self-advocacy resources have helpful guidance and further information on issues related to this topic. Learn more below:
-
Guide: Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation in Correctional Facilities
Residents of a correctional facility have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if they feel that they are being denied any program, service, or benefit for a reason that is directly connected to their disability. This guide provides information on the process of making a reasonable accommodation request and what to do if the request is denied.
This guide is available in the following languages:
- English: Read the Guide to Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation in Correctional Facilities (accessible PDF). [Updated: April 2024]
- Spanish: Lea la guía para solicitar una adaptación razonable en las instituciones correccionales (PDF acesible) [Updated: July 2024]
- HMoob: Nyeem Koos Haum (Disability Rights Wisconsin) Phau Ntawv los Thov Kev Pab Kom Muaj (Accommodation) nyob rau hauv Cov Tsev Kaw Neeg (Correctional) (accessible PDF) [Updated: July 2024]
Referrals
Other places that may be able to help you:
-
Legal Action of Wisconsin DOES Project
Legal Action of Wisconsin’s DOES project helps disabled offenders achieve economic security.
-
State Bar of Wisconsin
The State Bar of Wisconsin brings together the expertise of Wisconsin lawyers to answer commonly asked legal questions and provide resources about Wisconsin law in easy-to-understand language. The Bar also provides a Lawyer Referral Service.
-
Wisconsin Lawyer Lookup
Look up a lawyer in the Wisconsin Court System.
Learn More
You can find more information on this topic from these websites and publications:
-
Legal information and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Online Resource providing state-specific legal information and resources for survivors of domestic violence.
-
On The Outs: Reentry for Inmates with Disabilities Video Documentary
On The Outs: Reentry for Inmates with Disabilities is a short documentary produced by the Amplifying Voices of Inmates with Disabilities (AVID) Prison Project.
-
State Bar Lawyer Referral and Information Service
Information and referral to lawyers in Wisconsin
-
Wisconsin State Law Library
Resources and law information on Wisconsin Child Custody Law.
Act
Want to do more to help protect individuals with disabilities? Please visit our Take Action Page for some ideas and to sign up for news and other alerts from our website. Or Donate Now to help protect and advocate for the rights and futures of all Wisconsin citizens. We'd love to have you join us.
Get Help
Need further information or support? Please visit our Contact Page.