More Than 300 Members of Disability Community Plan to Participate in Annual Disability Advocacy Day

Caregiver Crisis, Voting Access For All on Priority List

(MADISON) – More than 200 members of the disability community from all parts of Wisconsin plan to rally on March 23 for the Survival Coalition’s annual Disability Advocacy Day. Grassroots advocates will gather at the Monona Terrace for issue discussions and planning before making the walk to the Capitol to visit with  their state legislators and share how the issues impact their lives as Wisconsin residents
This year’s goal is to ensure legislators understand that the voices of people with disabilities and their families are facing significant challenges to their health, safety, and ability to remain in their homes because of the underfunding of Wisconsin’s long term care services for people of all ages. Advocates will also share the importance of protecting voting rights, supporting special education, mental health services and ensuring transportation is available for non-drivers.
“Every morning in Wisconsin people wake up waiting and worrying about themselves or their family members.  The low Medicaid rates don’t attract enough workers or providers to meet the needs of Wisconsin residents.  said Survival Coalition Co-Chair Patti Becker.
“Aging family members are sacrificing their jobs, their health, and their retirements to cover the gaps. We have to reinvest in our systems to pay for the actual costs of care,” said co-chair Beth Swedeen
”New restrictions on voting rights are creating added barriers for people with disabilities to exercise their right to vote.  We ask our policymakers to work with us to make our elections more accessible and inclusive – not more restrictive”, says Barbara Beckert, Milwaukee Office Director of External Advocacy, Disability Rights WI. Read full press release.

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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.

Registration deadline is noon on March 3, 2023

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