Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

06/04/2026

Applications are now open for the WI Disability Policy Fellowship! The Fellowship Program is open to individuals with developmental disabilities and family members of people with developmental disabilities who are committed to disability rights advocacy. Individuals with experience with state or local advocacy, strong communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The Fellowship will last one year starting in September 2026 until August 2027. Fellows will work full-time, 40 hours a week and will receive an annual stipend of $63,000. Each Fellow will be placed at either a state agency, legislative office, or advocacy organization.

Apply here: https://wi-bpdd.org/index.php/wi-disability-policy-leadership-program/

Application due June 24th, 2026 at 5pm

You can learn more about the Fellowship program by joining our listening session on June 8th from 12:00pm-1:00 pm. You can register for the information session here: https://www3.thedatabank.com/dpg/579/personal2.asp?formid=PolicyFellowWeb&c=20260603164033234707&ctz=America%2FChicago&ctzabv=6%2F3%2F2026&tzoffset=-300

06/03/2026

DVR UPDATE:

The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee voted yesterday (June 2) to provide $7 million to DVR, $4 million less than requested.

This action means the current waitlist of more than 7,600 people may be reduced by an unknown number, but it is unlikely the waitlist will be fully eliminated before June 30, 2027.

That means Wisconsin will miss out on significant federal funding and DVR will start the next budget with a $4 million shortfall.

Action Step: let your legislators know what you think

Contact the members of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance and your State Senator and State Assembly Representatives with your thoughts about DVR needing full funding now and in the next biennial budget and what it means when people with disabilities and and families have to wait for help when they want to work.

06/02/2026

June is LGBTQ Pride Month in Wisconsin. Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate inclusion and acceptance. While we have made progress in advancing equality, more remains to be done. Registering to vote and casting a ballot is an important way for all citizens to participate in our democracy and help to advance equality and inclusion.

Graphic reads, “June is Pride Month!”

06/02/2026

Opportunity to share feedback from the State Department of Public Instruction, which is looking to hear from educators, families, students, employers, and community members about the skills and experiences that matter most for students' future success.

First, view this presentation: https://media.dpi.wi.gov/oss/establishing-a-statewide-portrait-of-a-graduate/story.html

Then, take the 5-minute Portrait of a Graduate Survey - when prompted, use survey code 415-909-558.
SURVEY link; https://thoughtexchange.com/join/

Your input will help inform a statewide effort to define the knowledge, skills, and mindsets students need to thrive in school, careers, and life.

Enter a 9 digit code to join a survey.

06/01/2026

ACTION ALERT! The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is meeting on Tuesday, June 2, to decide whether the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) services should get the extra money it needs to begin helping people with disabilities who are on the DVR waitlist, want to work, and need help getting a job.

The state budget did not set aside enough money to cover the costs of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). There are more than 7,000 people on the DVR waitlist, and it’s estimated that the list will grow to 15,000 by the end of the year without enough state funding.

ACTION STEP BEFORE 9 AM TUESDAY, JUNE 2: Contact the members of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance and your State Senator and State Assembly Representatives and tell them what it means when people with disabilities and families have to wait for help when they want to work.

LINKS FOR LEGISLATIVE CONTACT INFO:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/committees/joint/2920
https://legis.wisconsin.gov/

05/30/2026

Below is the link for the Federal Funding webinar recording from this morning! You can register for the 6/5 webinar, and even if you can't watch it live, you'll get an email with the recording and slides afterwards, by using the links below.

Registration, recordings, slides, and other resources for these webinars can all be found on our website here: https://wi-bpdd.org/index.php/federal-funding-updates/

5/29 webinar: https://youtu.be/Pq25rPuK1Vc

6/5 English registration: https://bit.ly/FedFund65
6/5 Spanish registration: https://bit.ly/FedFundSpa65

05/29/2026

The Children’s Long-Term Support Waiver Renewal is open for public comment through June 13th, 2026!

Learn about the CLTS Program renewal and read the waiver application on the CLTS Program Waiver Renewal webpage: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/renewal.htm

Over the last six months, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has been working on a draft of the new waiver application to renew the Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program. The waiver application outlines the rules of the program, including what supports and services are available and who can join. This new waiver application will shape how services are delivered for children with disabilities and their families for the CLTS Program from 2027 through 2031.

The updated waiver includes new services, changes to existing services, and changes to provider qualifications. DHS welcomes your ideas on what will best help children and families in the CLTS Program. After 30 days, DHS will review all feedback and make final updates to the waiver application.

Comments are due June 13, 2026.

Submit your comments by email to: [email protected]

You can also mail your comments to:
State of Wisconsin
Department of Health Services-DMS
Bureau of Children’s Services
Attn: CLTS Waiver Renewal
201 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53703

05/28/2026

In Wisconsin, people under guardianship retain the right to vote unless the court removes that right. If you have lost the right to vote due to guardianship, you can petition the court to restore your right to vote. Self-advocate Jennifer Kratsch shares her story in this new video from DRW: “How I Got My Right to Vote Back.”

If you’d like to share your story about losing and regaining your right to vote during the guardianship process, please contact us at [email protected]

In this video, self-advocate Jennifer Kratsch shares how she got he...

05/27/2026

There is still time to participate in a virtual listening session about the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Portrait of a Graduate (PoG). This is a statewide effort to define the knowledge, skills, and mindsets every Wisconsin student needs to succeed after high school—no matter the path they choose. These sessions will provide opportunities to share perspectives, ask questions, and help shape the statewide Portrait of a Graduate.

Registration links:
TODAY, MAY 27 from 12-1 pm e3f49d35-9c66-4594-a620-705b5a223bf8@1654d140-3260-4903-b5b7-18450051ce16" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e3f49d35-9c66-4594-a620-705b5a223bf8@1654d140-3260-4903-b5b7-18450051ce16

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 from 6-7 pm
236de508-ff3d-48c1-9983-4aab30b5f3d0@1654d140-3260-4903-b5b7-18450051ce16" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/236de508-ff3d-48c1-9983-4aab30b5f3d0@1654d140-3260-4903-b5b7-18450051ce16

05/26/2026

There are 2 more elections in Wisconsin in 2026. Upcoming election dates are:

Partisan Primary: August 11, 2026
General Election: November 3, 202

Now is the perfect time to check your voter registration so that you are ready to vote.

Tell your friends to register today because…Every vote matters!

https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Register-To-Vote