Disability Rights Wisconsin

Disability Rights Wisconsin is the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for Wisconsin and is part of a nation-wide network of P&A agencies.  The Protection and Advocacy system is a combination of federally funded programs that serve people across the spectrum of disabilities to protect against abuse, neglect, or wrongdoing, and to enforce the rights of people with disabilities. We can provide many services such as advocacy, legal support, and rights protection.   These programs have been expanded over the years to make sure people with disabilities have full access to:

• Inclusive education
• Financial entitlements
• Healthcare
• Accessible housing
• Transportation
• Employment

Our Protection and Advocacy services are free.   The services we are able to provide are determined by a variety of factors including the person's

• ability to self-advocate
• if the issue or concern fits within our Areas of Focus, and
• the staff resources available.

Information and Referral

Our Intake Specialist and Advocates have access to a wide range of information and resources they can share. During the intake process, they will talk with the person who is requesting services, ask about that person's concerns, and try to better understand the person's needs. If DRW is not able to help the person requesting services, our staff will do their best to provide information that can help them better understand and address their particular issue or concern on their own. Our staff may also provide a referral to another community resource or agency that offers the kind of service or support the person needs.

Technical Assistance

DRW can offer short-term help such as coaching or technical help when someone needs support to advocate. Our advocates and attorneys will share their expertise and offer advice, information, resources, and the tools needed to help people self-advocate whenever possible so they can achieve positive results for themselves.

Individual Case Representation

When people need more substantial support, our advocates can provide advocacy or legal help. They can also represent the person to third parties. This may be done  through meetings, correspondence, telephone calls, or through other means on behalf of the person.  Our advocates may also conduct investigations when there are allegations of abuse or neglect. DRW is limited in the number of individual cases we can represent.

Appeal or Litigation in Court

Our attorneys can also provide legal representation to make an appeal, resolve a dispute, or protect your rights before administrative appeal agencies or within the court system. DRW has limited capacity for litigation.