Register NOW!

Disability Advocacy Day is a day-long event focused on connecting Self-Advocates with their legislators to talk about issues that matter to them. Attendees are expected to participate in the full day of activities.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

·         Register is FREE- BUT you MUST register
·         Order a lunch (optional) FREE- BUT you MUST register
·         YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE. Direct Care Workers
attending to assist you for the day must register for this event.
·         Use your HOME/VOTING address to register. Business addresses or PO
Boxes are not allowed.
·         No on-site registration or walk-ins.

AGENDA AT A GLANCE

9:30:               Check in: Monona Terrace, One John Nolen Drive, Madison
                         Stop by the Voting Resource table
10:30:             Briefing on Survival Coalition’s current issues, planning time
and lunch
12:15:              Rally at the State Capitol, Martin Luther King Blvd. entrance (3
blocks away)
1:00- 3:00:    Attend Legislative visits
3:00-3:30:     Check out and debrief after your visit at the Capitol

Event Reminders:

·         Participants support Survival Coalition’s mission to maximize
community inclusion for all people w/disabilities.

·         Participants must attend the 10:30 a.m. briefing at the Monona
Terrace Convention Center.

·         Attend your legislative visits at the scheduled time with your group.

Register online  

Download Registration Form

EXTRA! EXTRA! Join our virtual information sessions if:

·       You want some extra time to plan for your visit with your legislators. OR
·       If you cannot attend Disability Advocacy Day in person but would like the information and would like to contact your legislator by phone.

**note: you do not need to register for Disability Advocacy Day to participate in the virtual information sessions.

We will have 2 virtual information sessions:

·       Wednesday, March 15: 12-1 pm

·       Thursday, March 16: 4-5 pm

If you would like to attend one of these sessions, email Survival Coalition for the link: SurvivalCoalitionwi@gmail.com

Survival has prepared these issue papers to provide background and a disability perspective for elected officials, candidates for office, and other policymakers and advocates. Many people with disabilities access programs and services funded by federal, state, or local governments to support them in maintaining their health, accessing education and employment, and participating in their communities. Policymakers make decisions on programs and services that are critical to the independence and the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory disabilities, and aging adults. Select issue to view each paper: Workforce, Long-term Care, Employment, Education, Medicaid, Mental Health, Transportation, Voting, and Children’s Long-term Supports. View all issues in a single document.

The Survival Coalition of more than 20 statewide disability organizations agrees with a new report from the Education Law Center concluding that “Wisconsin’s low reimbursement rate for special education will leave school districts on the hook for $1.25 billion, forcing them to divert funds intended for general education for all students.”

Findings from the report showed that in the 2019-2020 school year:

·       Wisconsin schools reported their special education costs were $1.82 billion to support the state’s 120,000 students with disabilities.

·       After factoring in the state special education reimbursement and funds available through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools were facing a $1.25 billion shortfall from unfunded special education costs.

·       Wisconsin  special education programs are underfunded, with the impact being greatest  on districts with high-poverty rates and often concurrent higher enrollments in special education.  

Survival Coalition supports additional special education investment in the 2023-2025 biennial budget, specifically to increase state support to 90% to provide relief to local districts and ensure that they can invest adequate local resources for all students.