Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

04/02/2026

Share your comments about BPDD’s new state plan! Every five years, we make a new state plan to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through inclusion in all aspects of community life. Please let us know what you think by May 15, 2026.

There are three ways you can share comments:
1. Join a listening session to hear about the plan and to share your thoughts.
April 29, 2026, 5:30-6:30pm. Register here: https://bit.ly/BPDDstateplan429
May 5th, 2026, 12:00-1:00pm. Register here: https://bit.ly/BPDDstateplan55

2. Fill out a short survey:
English survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StatePlanComment_Eng
Spanish survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StatePlanComment_esp
Hmong survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StatePlanComment_Hmg

3. Mail or email written comments to us by May 15, 2026:
WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities - State Plan, 101 E. Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703; or email molly.cooney@wisconsin.gov

Accessibility info: If you need the plan in another language or format, please email molly.cooney@wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-0266.

03/31/2026

Curbside voting is an option for voters who cannot enter their polling place due to disability or age. By law, curbside voting should be available at all polling places.

PLAN AHEAD! Call your clerk ASAP to ask about the process for curbside voting. You may need to ring a doorbell, honk your horn, or go to a specific area in the parking lot or outside your polling place

Find your clerk’s name and number on MyVote Wisconsin
https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/My-Municipal-Clerk

03/29/2026

Gov. Evers has vetoed AB614  which wouldn't given teachers a much wider set of reasons for removing a student from the classroom and could have further stigmatized students with disabilities by requiring that all parents in the classroom receive information on why the student was removed and how much classroom time it took.  BPDD did not support this bill but does support additional funding for mental health services for students in Wisconsin public schools. 

https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/evers-vetoes-gop-proposal-for-new-limit-on-wisconsin-school-referendum-requests/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHsK8LMiyl9sakoxsc1mtUEaBWWZVsnDw3xZtE7WR1F4X6v5I_zc-kQVZYM_M_aem_Op9kjDQbhViYItc8Z4C6sA

Evers vetoed a handful of education bills including one that would have put limits on school districts’ ability to seek referendums.

03/28/2026

Below is the link for the Federal Funding webinar recording from this morning. We will not be holding a webinar next week (4/3) but we will be back on Friday April 10th from 9-10:30am.

You can register for the 4/10 webinar and even if you can't watch it live, you'll get an email with the recording and slides afterwards, by using the links below.

4/10 English registration: https://bit.ly/FedFunds410English

4/10 Spanish registration: https://bit.ly/FedFund410Spanish

https://youtu.be/mIlTRnN85Dg

Medicaid. Social Security. Disability Programs. Education. Watch this webinar recording to get the latest on Federal funding cuts and federal agency changes ...

03/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out for Beth Swedeen's retirement send off last week! Check out the wonderful event and feel the love for Beth and her impact that was in the room. BPDD has been lucky to have Beth as our Executive Director for 15 years and the state is a better place because of her service and leadership. And to Beth, from the staff, board, and everyone you've crossed paths with over the years, thank you for everything you have done for our community and enjoy your retirement!

03/24/2026

We have extended the deadline to apply for the WI Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)! You now have until April 10th to turn in your applications. YLF is a week-long forum for high school students with disabilities who want to learn more about leadership, self-advocacy skills, and career awareness.

Find out more and how to apply here: https://wi-bpdd.org/index.php/wisconsin-youth-leadership-forum/

03/23/2026

If you didn't make it to Disability Advocacy Day, Wisconsin Eye recorded the issues briefing. To view, you have to click the link and register (it's free) for an account with WI Eye.

On March 19, 2026, Disability Rights Wisconsin hosted Disability Advocacy Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Coverage features the briefing.

03/20/2026

Supported Decision-Making made it onto The Pitt on HBO!

Join Dr. Mel King and her sister Becca in learning more about decision-making options and future planning this Wednesday at noon when our 4-part series continues with a focus on financial future planning. If you register, you will receive the links for all 4 parts (parts 1 and 2 were on supported decision-making range of options and personal experiences, and part 4 will focus on employment benefits counseling.

Register at:

English reg: https://bit.ly/FuturePlanningWeb26

Spanish reg: https://bit.ly/FuturePlanWebSpan26

03/20/2026

Disability Advocacy Day was a success! We loved being back in person this year and seeing the wonderful community of advocates come together for such a great day. We heard so many people tell their stories and educate their elected officials about disability rights and the importance of living in their communities!

Nothing about us, without us!

We will share more pictures in the coming days. Feel free to share any of the memories you captured below. Rest up tonight and we will get back to advocating for a more inclusive world in the morning!

03/17/2026

The theme for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2026 is "We're Here: Then, Now, Always" and with Disability Advocacy Day on Thursday of this week, there couldn't be a more fitting theme. People with developmental disabilities have always been part of our communities — and always will be. As we continue to advocate for a more inclusive and accepting world, think about how far we've come and about how much work is left.

03/16/2026

Join us tomorrow for the Disability Vote Coalition's webinar from 12 to 1 pm on the April election.

We will talk about the role of the WI Supreme Court and how to find reliable candidate information. We will also cover:
• important deadlines
• ways people can vote
• voting rights
• the latest election information
Register at: bit.ly/DVCWebinarMarch2026
Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/share/16uNsGkg8q/

Send a message to learn more

03/13/2026

Below is the link to the recording from today's Federal Funding webinar! Join us next week Friday (3/20) from 9-1030am for another update on federal funding. You can also find all the resources from today's webinar on our website here: https://wi-bpdd.org/index.php/federal-funding-updates/

3/13 recording: https://youtu.be/y716dCaMjSI

3/20 English Registration: https://bit.ly/FedFundsEng320
3/20 Spanish Registration: https://bit.ly/FedFundSpa320