DVR Hearings on State Plans for Rehabilitation and Independent Living

Thursday May 17, 2012

The Wisconsin Rehabilitation Council (WRC) and the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) will hold hearings regarding the VR State Plan. They seek comment to help set the needs and priorities for services that lead to employment for citizens with disabilities. The hearings will be held at locations around the state on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 from 3:00 - 4:30 PM. Read more ...

Elections 2012: June 5 Recall Elections

Wednesday May 16, 2012

Tuesday, June 5, 2012 is the election for recalls: Governor, Lt. Governor and several State Senators. Don’t forget to vote.

2012 is an election year. The regular Spring and recall primary elections are behind us but Fall elections and recall elections are yet to come. Elections will be held:

  • June 5, 2012 (Recall Election)
  • August 14, 2012 (Partisan Primary)
  • November 6, 2012 (General Election)

Many people with disabilities have questions about eligibility to vote, Voter ID, registration and others related to the election.

Read more ...

White House Opposes House Rider to Limit ADA

Wednesday May 9, 2012

The White House issued a statement on May 7, 2012 opposing the House "Rider" to limit the ADA. The provision most in danger of passing is an amendment to HR 5326. HR 5326 is the bill to appropriate funds for operation of the Department of Justice and other agencies for federal fiscal year 2013 (starting October 1, 2012). Read more ...

Advocates Storm Hearing to Tell Congress: Stop the Attack on the ADA!

Thursday April 26, 2012

On April 24, the House Committee on Judiciary, Subcommittee on The Constitution held a hearing titled “The Department of Justice’s Guidance on Pools and Spas under the ADA”. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) was not in attendance, but advocates were there in force! The hearing room and the hallways of justice were packed with over 200 advocates representing ADAPT and other IL organizations chanting for their rights and demanding that Congress not change the ADA! The sheer magnitude of attendees forced the Committee to open an overflow room with a live feed of the proceedings.

Read more ...

Feds Decide on Community Living

Thursday April 26, 2012

Disability advocates have worked to urge the Medicaid division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) to release regulations for the Community First Choice (CFC) Option. On April 24, after months of pressure, the national grassroots disability rights group ADAPT stormed HHS headquarters once again by surrounding its doors. Read more ...

Gov. Walker Signs Bill to Lift Long-term Care Caps, Other Disability Bills

Tuesday March 20, 2012

When this Legislature first met last January, it passed a resolution setting March 15, 2012 as the last day for regular business. That means a lot can happen between the 13th and the 15th. It did! Jeff Fox, Ben Barrett and John Donnelly at Capitol - March 6, 2012

Gov. Walker signed several disability-related bills, including the bill to lift the long-term care caps on Monday, March 19, 2012. These bills came from a flurry of activity in the Legislature in March.

Read more ...

Vocational Rehabilitation Update - March 2012

Wednesday March 7, 2012

Charlene Dwyer, Administrator of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) in the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, announced that she will leaving DVR to take a national leadership position on the Maximus team. Michael Greco has been named Acting Administrator upon her resignation. Read more ...