Imagine if when you were in high school and college you were asked to leave classrooms because your disability caused you to make noises and utterances. If now, as an adult, you need your parent to drive to your home each morning to help you bathe, dress, and get ready for work because you don’t have access to necessary supports. People across Wisconsin experience injustices like these every day. The good news is they don’t have to face them alone.
Since 1977, Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) has been working alongside people with disabilities and their loved ones to advance dignity, self-determination, and inclusion as the Governor-appointed and federally mandated Protection and Advocacy agency for people with disabilities. DRW works with people with any disability in every corner of the state by providing advocacy and legal aid to individuals and working to ensure that state and local systems actually work for people with disabilities.
The goal of DRW is to create a Wisconsin where people with disabilities can live safe from abuse and neglect; free from discrimination; and with all the supports and services necessary to be fully engaged in school, employment, and community life. It’s a tall order for a team of just 70 advocates and attorneys working from offices in Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay as well as remotely across the state.
DRW provides coaching and advocacy, and shares resources and tools so people can advocate for themselves or on behalf of a person they love. When necessary, DRW attorneys provide legal representation in court or at administrative hearings to resolve disputes, appeals, and protect individual rights. Imagine being physically abused by a group home staff member but nobody believes you because you can’t speak to tell your story. DRW’s Victim Advocacy program makes sure survivors with disabilities receive the advocacy, legal representation, services, and support needed to move forward, get justice, and obtain safety and stability in whatever form they need.
DRW has long advocated on behalf of Wisconsinites with disabilities, and its reach is growing each year. In 2024, DRW served over 6,600 clients. Behind each of those served is a human story of collective resilience, strength, and dignity. Current DRW board member Mackenzie Wann was previously a client. “I was fortunate to have witnessed firsthand how DRW empowers people with disabilities. They fought alongside me to get approval for a specialized wheelchair to increase my independence as a quadriplegic. And today, looking to the future, DRW is incorporating the voices of those with lived disability experience to be front and center. In doing so, DRW is offering opportunities for self-advocacy and transforming our communities to be as inclusive as possible.”
The sentiment echoed throughout experiences shared by those with disabilities is that DRW champions them to assert their own rights. Felicia Clayborne, a longtime disability advocate, also knows DRW’s impact. “DRW has provided me with opportunities to engage in public policy work and participate in annual Disability Advocacy Days at the state capitol. Through DRW’s projects, I have been given the means to voice my opinions on policies affecting those with disabilities and to maintain regular communication with legislators throughout the years. As a result of my involvement with DRW and other disability rights organizations, I have become a passionate advocate for issues, such as transportation, healthcare, mental health services, and safety for people with disabilities in Wisconsin communities.”
Even the simple act of voting can be complicated if your polling place doesn’t have an accessible way for you to mark your ballot. In 2024, DRW’s voting rights team worked tirelessly to make sure people with disabilities had equal access to the polls by educating voters on their rights and educating election officials on accessible voting laws. When DRW learned that a Wisconsin township had removed their accessible voting machine, DRW alerted the Wisconsin Election Commission, which then took action to restore the legally required machine.
As a nonprofit organization relying heavily on federal funding, DRW is concerned about the future of federal grants. Cuts to funding have already hit hard. A loss of $700,000 from the Victims of Crime Act Fund last year meant DRW had to cut back on needed services. With more potential cuts coming, DRW is working hard to raise new funds and document the impact of its work. We know how significant our work is for Wisconsinites, and we want to be here in 2026 and beyond to continue providing our services, including making sure kids get their educational experiences and helping adults with disabilities to stay in their homes.
Cuts could also reduce access to Social Security offices and threaten Medicaid. These are essential services for people with disabilities. DRW is here to help ensure these services are maintained, and we need others to speak up as well. You can contact your congressional representatives to remind them how important federal funds are in serving people with disabilities.
If you would like to learn how you can help DRW ensure the rights of children and adults with disabilities across Wisconsin are maintained, visit disabilityrightswi.org. You can also follow DRW on Facebook and Instagram.