The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition (DVC) is excited to announce September 8-12, 2025, has officially been proclaimed National Disability Voting Rights Week in Wisconsin. Disability Voting Rights Week is a national, nonpartisan initiative to build the power of the disability vote and increase awareness of voting rights. DVC and our partners work year-round to educate voters with disabilities and our communities about voting rights and accessibility and to increase participation in the electoral process.
It is estimated that over one million Wisconsin adults have a disability; while implementation of federal and state laws has addressed many barriers for voters with disabilities, more can and needs to be done to ensure equal access for Wisconsin voters with disabilities. DVC will explore federal and state laws, what is working, and what more is needed in a “Know Your Voting Rights” webinar on Tuesday, September 9th, from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Topics covered will include the importance of access to absentee ballots, polling place accessibility and accessible voting systems, and guardianship and voting. The webinar will be moderated by Lisa Hassenstab, Public Policy Manager for Disability Rights Wisconsin, and panelists are:
- Jordan Anderson, voter and self-advocate
- Jason Endres, election official/poll worker and self-advocate
- Polly Shoemaker, Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center Attorney
- Kaija Snyder, Menasha City Clerk
The webinar is open to the public but registration is required: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YPKnqLSuTpaiZlE2P5YgVw#/registration. ASL interpretation will be provided; additional accommodation requests can be made during registration.
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition, its member organizations, and its partners will also be celebrating Disability Voting Rights Week by sharing messaging and resources via social media. DVC also welcomes the opportunity to provide presentations, resources, and materials to interested groups, or be a resource to election officials, media, elected officials, or other stakeholders; requests can be made to info@disabilityvote.org. Resources:
- DVC Website
- Resources for Voters with Disabilities
- DVC Absentee Voting in Wisconsin fact sheet
- Guardianship and Voting (Disability Rights Wisconsin)
- Barriers Faced by Voters with Disabilities and Elderly Voters 2025 Report from the
Wisconsin Elections Commission - Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline: 844-347-8683/844-DIS-VOTE or
info@disabilityvote.org
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition 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. DVC is coordinated by Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and includes people with disabilities and over 40 community organizations.
