Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

04/18/2026

Goc. Evers has declared this month ABLE Awareness Month!  click the link below to learn more about how able accounts can help people disabilities, save money for expenses and still keep their public benefits.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18HvqyyP7Q/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It’s Month! This April we are celebrating the power of Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts to help people with disabilities save for their future while protecting critical benefits. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/4teYz2a.

04/18/2026

Below is the link for the Federal Funding webinar recording from this morning! You can register for the 4/24 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/

4/17 webinar: https://youtu.be/Ja_o0bHH57Y

4/24 English registration: https://bit.ly/FedFunds424
4/24 Spanish registration: https://bit.ly/FedFundSpa424

04/17/2026

You can still register for our Federal Funding webinar tomorrow Friday 4/17 from 9-1030am! This series is a great way to stay informed on changes to federal funding and how this impacts people with disabilities and their families.

English registration: https://bit.ly/FedFunds417
Spanish Registration: https://bit.ly/FedFundSpa417

04/15/2026

“What’s the Word?” is an opportunity to hear directly from self-advocates about what’s important to them. This month’s article features Don Posh, an Independent Living Specialist for indiGO. As spring settles in Don discusses Fishing Has No Boundaries, a program that seeks to make fishing accessible to everyone. Click the link below to read the full article!

https://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Fishing-Has-No-boundaries-2026.pdf

04/14/2026

Applications to exhibit are now available for the 2026 Self-Determination Conference! Exhibitors will be in-person with the opportunity to have an on-line space on the conference website.

Exhibit tables will be available on Tuesday, Oct. 20 and Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. Space is limited and only applications from exhibitors that directly support self-determination and self-direction in WI will be accepted. All applications will be reviewed by a committee and selected based on interest, needs, variety, and mission of the conference. Placement at the Conference will be on a first come basis. We are particularly interested in having exhibitors with innovative approaches to services and support for self- direction including the use of technology to help people with disabilities live full and inclusive lives.

Applications must be submitted by July 20, 2026.

Find out more and apply here: https://employmentfirstconference.regfox.com/2026-sd-conference-exhibitormicrobusiness

04/13/2026

Welcome to Just Ask — a video series about being different, being brave, and being you! Inspired by Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s book Just Ask, this series brings together self-advocates and community leaders in one-of-a-kind conversations fueled by curiosity and mutual respect.

In each episode, two people interview each other — asking honest questions, sharing stories, and discovering the strength in their differences. It’s about seeing each other, learning from each other, and celebrating what makes us us.
In this ninth episode, watch Nathaniel and Stephenie take turns asking and answering questions — breaking down barriers and building connection through conversation. Let’s begin — just ask.

Link: https://youtu.be/uRTUlnuZs-E

04/12/2026

Partners with Business Statewide Initiative – Applications open for Service Providers! We want to partner with Supported Employment service providers interested in improving employer engagement practices and reducing Medicaid-funded job coaching support for adults with disabilities.

We will provide grant funds and technical assistance to Supported Employment Service Providers to take new or creative approaches to reduce the need for job coaching. These approaches include better job matching and customization, employer engagement, systematic instruction, natural supports and paid coworker support options.

Deadline to apply: Friday, May 1, at 5p.m. Find out more and download the application here: https://wi-bpdd.org/index.php/partners-with-business/

Please share this with people you know!

Contact Molly Cooney at molly.cooney@wisconsin.gov or 608-266-0266 with any questions.

04/11/2026

Below is the link for the Federal Funding webinar recording from this morning! You can register for the 4/17 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.

4/10 webinar: https://youtu.be/0jsM3heF1n0

4/17 English registration: https://bit.ly/FedFunds417
4/17 Spanish registration: https://bit.ly/FedFundSpa417

Medicaid. Social Security. Disability Programs. Education. Watch this webinar recording to get the latest on Federal funding cuts and federal agency changes ...

04/08/2026

The President released his budget proposal last week and it includes the same cuts to disability programs he proposed last year including, eliminating the Administration of Community Living, eliminating the UCEDDs (Waisman Center) and other disability programs, and eliminating the independent budget lines that guarantee DD Councils (like BPDD) and Protection & Advocacy organizations (like DRW) are funded.

There is never a wrong time to contact your members of Congress and let them know you are paying attention, and that Congress should pay attention to the disability community and make sure to preserve disability programs.

President Donald Trump wants to stop directing federal funds to the nation's university centers on developmental disabilities, multiple Individuals with Disabilities Education Act programs and much more.

04/07/2026

Have a voting question? The DRW Voter Hotline is ready to help you. Give us a call or drop us an email:

Call us at 1-844-347-8683 / 1-844-DIS-VOTE or email us at info@disabilityvote.org

Image description: Graphic reads, “Have a question? We can help! 1-844-347-8683 / 1-844-DIS-VOTE or email us at info@disabilityvote.org”

04/07/2026

Today is election day!! Polls are open until 8 pm. If you are in line by 8 pm, you can still vote. Call the Disability Rights Voter Hotline if you run into any problems - 844-347-8683.

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Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition

04/06/2026

TOMORROW, you will have the opportunity to VOTE. You can see exactly what will be on your ballot.

https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Whats-On-My-Ballot