Our Partners
People First Wisconsin partners with organizations to help improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD)
BPDD's mission is to unite ALL of Wisconsin in supporting citizens with developmental disabilities to lead their most independent lives.
BPDD Activities to Be Involved In:
1. Disability Advocacy Day
Disability Day of Action is an event focused on connecting Disability Advocates with their legislators to talk about issues that matter to them. Attendees are expected to participate in the morning briefing and call their legislators in the afternoon. This event is in March every year. View some photos below of People First Wisconsin members at Disability Advocacy Day.
2. Partners in Policymaking
This 6 week workshop will train you how to advocate for policies and initiatives that support full participation and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. Adults with developmental disabilities and family members of children and youth with developmental disabilities (ages birth to 21) can participate. Partners is funded by BPDD and covers costs associated with the training, lodging, meals, and materials.
Click here to learn more about Partners in Policymaking.
3. Self-Determination Conference
The Self-Determination Conference is one of Wisconsin's biggest events for people with disabilities and the people who support them. This conference happens every year in October.
Registration is open for the 2025 Conference whick will be held in the Wisconsin Dells October 20-22, 2025. Click here for more information.
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Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition (WDVC) is a non-partisan effort to help ensure full participation in the entire electoral process of voters with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote, and accessing polling places.
The Coalition's Goals are to:
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Educate the disability community about voting rights and access issues.
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Increase voter turnout among people with disabilities and their allies.
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Let elected officials know that people with disabilities are engaged voters.
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Encourage organizations to conduct local get-out-the-vote drives and outreach.
How to Get Involved with the Wisconsin DVC
1. Become a Member/Join the Email List
The WDVC sends out frequent newsletters with important election information, accessibility information, and more.
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Email info@disabilityvote.org or call DRW at 414-773-4646 to request information
2. Follow the Coalition on Facebook and/or Twitter
The WDVC Facebook page and Twitter are great resources for updated information.
Disability Rights Wisconsin
Disability Rights Wisconsin is a private non-profit organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide. Their mission is to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities. They work to pursue justice on matters related to human and legal rights. DRW is completely independent of government and the disability service system in order to be free of any conflicts of interests which undermines their capacity to advocate vigorously on behalf of the human and legal rights of people with disabilities.
The Arc Wisconsin
The Arc Wisconsin supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Since 1960, The Arc Wisconsin has served individuals and their families through our locally affiliated chapters across the state. The Arc Wisconsin works to develop programs and advocate for public policy giving people with I/DD the opportunity to learn, live, and work inclusively in their communities.
