Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

Applications are due in ONE WEEK 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/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSfuMFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0ekozRnZXd2JJcGlwNW5rc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsVbpRJKDYiU5pn8y24ENFpnTZpQ0jVaHkSwagUgqaDcB9SaNvtpwK85GHxG_aem_CYnIo4AJuIj7EC4o_EWF-A
Applications are due June 24th, 2026 at 5pm

BPDD released a statement today on the U.S. Department of Education's plans to transfer special education responsibilities to other federal agencies:
READ:https://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/BPDDStatement_MovingFedSpeEd_061726_JP.pdf

Join our board members and staff on July 23rd, 2026 from 10:30am-12:00pm at Independence First in Milwaukee for a community conversation!

We want to hear directly from people with disabilities and their family members on pressing issues to the disability community. Our new 5-year state-plan has been finalized and we are working on our public policy priorities for the next legislative session. Your input and perspectives are key to guiding our work. We will be providing lunch and continue networking from 12-1pm.

Register here: https://bit.ly/ComConvo723

Flyer:https://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/BPDD-ComConvo-MKE-07232026.pdf

Know your rights!

In Wisconsin, a person under guardianship retains the right to vote unless the court expressly removes it. If you are under guardianship, you can find out whether or not you have the right to vote from your Determination and Order form.

If you have lost the right to vote, you may petition the court to restore your voting rights.

Guardianship and Voting Resources: https://disabilityrightswi.org/resource-center/guardianship-and-voting/

You can find out more info about your voting rights on the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition's website: https://disabilityvote.org/

Are you a service provider interested in learning more about tech tools for employment?

Join us on June 25, 2026, from 1-2:30pm to hear from Jennifer White, a subject matter expert in person-driven, technology accommodations and successful business minded tools.

The webinar is free, but registration is required: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MYbuAf7aQDelXtij-e7aSA

Learn in My Shoes, a grassroots parent led advocacy organization for Special Education funding in Wisconsin is requesting help by taking a few minutes to fill out their new survey.

What will it be used for?
- The data will be analyzed and compiled into an impact report to use for our advocacy. This will help us share a bigger picture about how families are affected by the way special education is currently funded.

Who will see the report?
- It will be shared with state legislators, the press, and on social media. We may also share any given quotes or submitted pictures.

Parents may share information anonymously if they wish.

Survey link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMbqqDO1Apv-fsW0QH8PBL-IsrpJfWF5EXNt43sZkbhaxYkw/viewform

Below is the link for the Federal Funding webinar recording from this morning! You can register for the 6/19 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/

6/12 webinar: https://youtu.be/CEtgt9Is8OU

6/19 English registration: https://bit.ly/3Qd6QWc
6/19 Spanish registration: https://bit.ly/4xogaqP

Many people are concerned about the new federal work requirements for Medicaid. The WI Department of Health Services (DHS) has launched a new website and screening tool for Wisconsinites to learn about these new work requirements. You can find more info and try out the screening tool using this link: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/work.htm

DHS will also be hosting a Medicaid Work Requirement Webinar on June 18, 2026. You can submit your questions by June 12th to [email protected] if you want them to answer your questions specifically on the webinar.

Use this link to register for the June 18 Webinar: https://dhswi.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_SGnVElbEQyqVaLT_oi7F9g #/registration

We will continue covering the work requirements and any state updates during our Federal Funding webinar series each Friday from 9-10:30am. Register here for tomorrow's webinar: https://bit.ly/FedFund612

Wisconsin requires photo ID for voting. You can get a free state ID for voting at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

It can take some time so act now and be ready for the August election. Here is link to the DMV page for more information: Wisconsin DMV Official Government Site - Obtaining an identification (ID) card (wisconsindot.gov)

https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/dmv/license-drvs/how-to-apply/id-card.aspx

Graphic reads, “Wisconsin requires photo ID for voting.”

Kick off Global Loneliness Awareness Week with the Wisconsin Coalition for Social Connection and an inspiring webinar with the Wisconsin Board for People with
Developmental Disabilities’ Families Supporting Families project, which supports families of school-aged children with intellectual or developmental disabilities in diverse communities. Hear firsthand from project partners as they share their experiences, insights, and lessons learned.

The webinar will be held Monday June 15th from 1:30-2:30pm. You can register using the link below.

registration: bit.ly/WCSCJune26