Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

Applications are now open 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/

Application due June 24th, 2026 at 5pm

You can learn more about the Fellowship program by joining our listening session on June 8th from 12:00pm-1:00 pm. You can register for the information session here: https://www3.thedatabank.com/dpg/579/personal2.asp?formid=PolicyFellowWeb&c=20260603164033234707&ctz=America%2FChicago&ctzabv=6%2F3%2F2026&tzoffset=-300

DVR UPDATE:

The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee voted yesterday (June 2) to provide $7 million to DVR, $4 million less than requested.

This action means the current waitlist of more than 7,600 people may be reduced by an unknown number, but it is unlikely the waitlist will be fully eliminated before June 30, 2027.

That means Wisconsin will miss out on significant federal funding and DVR will start the next budget with a $4 million shortfall.

Action Step: let your legislators know what you think

Contact the members of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance and your State Senator and State Assembly Representatives with your thoughts about DVR needing full funding now and in the next biennial budget and what it means when people with disabilities and and families have to wait for help when they want to work.

June is LGBTQ Pride Month in Wisconsin. Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate inclusion and acceptance. While we have made progress in advancing equality, more remains to be done. Registering to vote and casting a ballot is an important way for all citizens to participate in our democracy and help to advance equality and inclusion.

Graphic reads, “June is Pride Month!”

Opportunity to share feedback from the State Department of Public Instruction, which is looking to hear from educators, families, students, employers, and community members about the skills and experiences that matter most for students' future success.

First, view this presentation: https://media.dpi.wi.gov/oss/establishing-a-statewide-portrait-of-a-graduate/story.html

Then, take the 5-minute Portrait of a Graduate Survey - when prompted, use survey code 415-909-558.
SURVEY link; https://thoughtexchange.com/join/

Your input will help inform a statewide effort to define the knowledge, skills, and mindsets students need to thrive in school, careers, and life.

Join a Survey | ThoughtExchange Enter a 9 digit code to join a survey.