What are SPARKS Grants?  The purpose of SPARKS Grants is to organize local grassroots groups to make changes in their communities that result in a positive impact on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including individuals with diverse identities and/or individuals that are underserved. * Grassroots community organizing means groups that are led by individuals with disabilities together with their allies, who are working for positive community change for individuals with I/DD on issues that are important to them.  Priority activities for 2018-19 SPARKS Grants are: Increasing transportation options for people with I/DD Increasing the...

We welcome you to the first-ever submission for What’s the Word, our new way to highlight stories and thoughts for advocacy written by someone living with disability. Every month we plan to share some perspective on disability issues written by a self-advocate. This could be about an advocacy effort in the state or just some food for thought. We will be sending these out through our newsletter but we will also have the current write-up and previous ones on our website. The page link will be under the “Recent News” menu on the side of the website. This month we...

The Arc Wisconsin along with the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources are coordinating informational sessions and trainings on Wisconsin’s new Supported Decision-Making law. See slides from the May 21 webinar training here. Listen to a recording of the May 21 webinar training here. Find the Supported Decision-Making Agreement form here. Wisconsin now has one of the nation’s only supported decision-making laws. Supported decision-making is a formal process that is an alternative to more restrictive guardianship and will be a helpful tool for many Wisconsin residents. Supported Decision-Making can allow...

The 2018 Employment First Conference was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who was there as an attendee, presenter or vendor. Don’t worry if you missed out as we are compiling the presentations to review from home. Below are the three sessions that were recorded the day of, click on the title to go directly to the recorded session. We will be posting the slides and handouts from the other sessions at the Employment First website: HERE 1) Advancing Competitive Integrated Employment in Long-Term Care  Presenters: Curtis Cunningham and Amy Chartier, WI Department of Health Services In this presentation,...

Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking is a six-session, advocacy and systems change training program designed to develop a group of seasoned leaders across the state who are able to work on policies and initiatives that will support the full participation and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life. Partners in Policymaking is designed for adults with developmental disabilities and family members of children and youth with developmental disabilities ages birth to 21. Participants agree to support core values laid out in the federal Developmental Disabilities Act. Please affirm that you support each value before applying for Partners....