MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced today that its Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the program designed to support individuals with disabilities to find and maintain employment, will now be known as WisAbility. The program’s new identity reflects its longstanding commitment to helping individuals with disabilities find meaningful employment and supporting Wisconsin employers in building a skilled and inclusive workforce.
“WisAbility represents an exciting new chapter in our ongoing commitment to helping Wisconsinites of all abilities achieve their employment goals,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. “This new name reflects what has always been at the heart of our work: recognizing the talents and potential of every individual and connecting them with opportunities to succeed. While our name is changing, our mission and dedication to the people and employers we serve remain as strong as ever and we are pleased to bring these updates to the public at no cost.”
WisAbility’s rebranding effort reflects the changing understanding of disability and employment. The term “vocational rehabilitation” has become outdated and does not always clearly communicate the services available to individuals with disabilities or Wisconsin employers. WisAbility offers a simpler, more accessible identity that better represents the program’s purpose.
The program’s new name and tagline, “Where Ability Meets Opportunity,” were developed without incurring additional costs through a DWD rebranding process that began in early 2025 and included focus groups, surveys, and feedback from program participants, staff, and community stakeholders. The effort focused on creating a more recognizable and welcoming identity that emphasizes individuals’ abilities and opportunities rather than their disabilities.
As part of the transition, WisAbility also will adopt the term “participants” to describe individuals receiving services, replacing the previous term “consumers.” This change reflects feedback gathered during the rebranding process and recognizes the active role individuals play in achieving their employment goals.
WisAbility’s mission and services remain unchanged. The program will continue to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, maintain, and advance in employment while working with Wisconsin businesses to recruit and retain talented employees.
Updates to the website and other program materials will are ongoing. Existing web addresses will redirect to the updated website to help maintain access to program information and services.