History
People First Wisconsin is unique. It is run by and for people with disabilities. Executive Director, Cindy Bentley, is a person with an intellectual and developmental disability. She has been in this role since 2013 and prior to that was an advocate specialist.
In May 1999, Lisa Mills, an advocacy leader from Scotland, planned a state-wide self-advocacy conference to launch People First Wisconsin (PFW.) Three hundred people attended the conference. The board met in June 1999 to finalize by-laws. PFW’s current executive director, Cindy Bentley, and one current member-at-large were among the original board members. The Wisconsin Disability Association (ARC) served as the fiscal agent. The Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities (WCDD) contracted with ARC and provided funds that PFW used as a “service provider.” This arrangement lasted until 2001. In April 2001, PFW became incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c) (3) membership organization.
The efforts of PFW and their allies in the Survival Coalition of Disability Organizations have helped end the use of the "R word" in state statute, helped to bring Supported Decision-Making agreements into law, and helped save IRIS, the state's self-directed long-term care program from elimination. Most importantly, PFW helps members find their voices and share their stories so that legislators know what people with disabilities need to lead full lives in the community.