disabilityrights WISCONSIN

The DRW Board of Directors will conduct a Listening Session in Green Bay on Fri, June 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt on Main Hotel. You are invited to come and tell the Board about the disability issues that need to be addressed by DRW. The Board uses this information to assist them in setting the agency’s priorities. This is also an opportunity to meet DRW’s new Executive Director, Tom Masseau.

Click here for the full announcement with location and other details regarding the Listening Session.
Click here for the full announcement in Spanish.
Click here for the full announcement in Hmong.

For job profile including application requirements and salary range click here; for detailed job description click here; or call 608-267-0214. Deadline: 6/8/2012; applications after that may be considered until position is filled. Members of racial/ethnic minority groups and persons with disabilities strongly encouraged to apply. EEO/AA Employer

Register now for the May 22 statewide Integrated Employment Summit, “What’s Working in Wisconsin.” Hear Success Stories! Learn about programs and strategies from around the state that are leading to more people with long-term support needs finding and keeping competitive-wage, community-based jobs.

Please pass on to your networks. Click here for details and registration info.

This spring’s legislative session provided some opportunities to make improvements to a biennial budget that had serious negative impacts on the disability community. The Survival Coalition of more than 40 disability organizations in Wisconsin assembled the following report card that summarizes Wisconsin state policy impact on the disability community during the past 10 months. It includes a biennial budget grade, legislative session grade, and cumulative grade on a series of topics that affect people with disabilities, their families, and allies.

Click here to read the 2012 WI Legislative Report Card.

On Saturday, May 5 Barbara Beckert, DRW’s Milwaukee Office Director, received a Champion in Women’s Health Award recognizing her outstanding leadership regarding advocacy for persons with disabilities, particularly persons with mental illness. She is shown here receiving her award from Sue Ann Thompson, President of the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation.

Disability Rights Wisconsin, along with other education stakeholders, participated in creating the Survival Coalition’s budget recommendations for Education for 2013-15 Biennial budget. These recommendations have been shared with the Governor’s office and the Department of Public Instruction.

Click here to read the recommendations.

DRW is hiring an attorney in the Madison office to assist lay advocates in public benefits cases, conduct trainings, and provide direct legal representation. For detailed Position Announcement, salary range, and application requirements, click here or call 608-267-0214. Deadline: 05/25/12. Members of racial/ethnic minority groups and persons with disabilities strongly encouraged to apply. EEO/AA Employer

A group of diverse national and state disability leaders met last year at the Johnson Foundation’s Wingspread Conference Center in Racine, Wisconsin to develop new recommendations on the types of supports families with a member with intellectual/developmental disabilities need and to make recommendations for advancing a national agenda on supporting the family. This document outlines recommendations that must occur to ensure that individuals with I/DD are fully integrated and included in our society and that recognition of their families’ role in their lives is part of the equation for success.

Read the Wingspread Report

Join disability advocates on May 22nd from 8:30-4 at the Kalahari in WI Dells for the Wisconsin Integrated Employment Super Summit!

This is a kick off of many employment events that will be happening throughout the state. On May 22 you will hear about innovative employment efforts happening in IRIS, Family Care, Counties, DVR and schools that are really getting people paid jobs in the community. Join in local action planning groups that will be working throughout the state to achieve the statewide goal of doubling the number of people with disabilities in jobs in the community by 2016! Go to Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities website at www.wi-bpdd.org for more information and to register.

Save the date: IE Summit Hold the Date
The event agenda: IE Summit Agenda
Register: http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1083962

There will be a Special Education Listening Session, including a free pasta supper at the Circles of Life conference on April 26th from 5-6:30 PM in Middleton.

Here is the flyer for the session: Special Education Sharing Session Flyer

En Espanol: Spanish- Sesion para Compartir- 4-26-12.