Advocacy Organizations
The following organizations provide advocacy for global issues related to older adults and persons with disabilities. Some of these organizations may also provide individual advocacy services as well.
| Organization | Telephone | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Disability Rights Wisconsin/Family Care and IRIS Ombudsman Program | (800) 708-3034 or (414) 773-4646 | Provides advocacy, advice, information and referral services to people with disabilities who have been discriminated against, neglected, abused or denied a needed service or program based on a disability. |
| AARP Wisconsin | (866) 448-3611 | Advocacy agency for older adults providing information on subjects that impact older adults. |
| ARC of Racine County | (262) 634-6303 Email ARC of Racine County | The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by safeguarding their rights, facilitating choice and promoting independence and inclusion in school and community life. We provide information, advocacy and support and help empower people with disabilities and their families to get needed services. We educate professionals, community leaders and elected officials to better understand disabilities and best practices. We collaborate with others in the community to make changes in the system. |
| ARC of Wisconsin | (608) 222-8907 Phone (877) 272-8400 Toll Free | The Arc-Wisconsin provides assistance to people with developmental and related disabilities and their families. It is a member of The Arc of The United States and has 25 local chapters. The Arc-Wisconsin provides quality of life opportunities for people with developmental and related disabilities and their families. |
| Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, Inc. | (800) 366-2990 or (608) 224-0606 | Member Services focuses on leadership development, information sharing and the empowerment of seniors to further establish and maintain CWAG’s grassroots advocacy efforts. |
| Independent Living Center - Society’s Assets, Inc. | (800) 317-3999 or (262) 657-3999 | Society’s Assets works to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld. Our staff members train consumers in self-advocacy and advocate on your behalf when requested. You are not alone. |
| LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin | 1456 Junction Avenue Racine, WI 53403 (262) 664-4100 | The mission is to build a safe, supportive and active community in which Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender identified people of all ages, their families, friends and allies in Racine, Kenosha, Walworth and the surrounding region can participate in crisis services, informational programming, professional development, social events, and health-related services that promote wellness and positive living. |
| NAMI - Kenosha County | (262) 652-3606 | The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Kenosha County (NAMI) is a non-profit organization working to improve the quality of life through support, education, and advocacy for all individuals affected by mental illness. |
| The Survival Coalition of Wisconsin | To learn more about the Survival Coalition, email Fil Clissa. | The Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations is a cross-disability coalition of more than 40 state and local organizations and groups. For more than 20 years, Survival has been focused on changing and improving policies and practices that support people with disabilities of all ages to be full participants in community life. |
| Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN) | Tel (608) 243-5670 Fax (866) 813-0974 Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources 1414 MacArthur Road, Suite A; Madison, WI 53714 | The Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN) is a collaborative group of individuals and associations working with and for Wisconsin’s older adults to shape public policy that improves the quality of life of older people throughout the state. WAAN educates both supporters and opponents, mobilizes allies on priority issues, and advocates positions utilizing the shared experience, knowledge, and constituencies of member organizations. |
| Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care | Ombudsman Program/Volunteer Program: 1-800-815-0015 Email Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care | The mission of the Board on Aging and Long Term Care is to advocate for the interests of the state’s long term care consumers, to inform those consumers of their rights, and to educate the public at large about health care systems and long term care. |
| Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities | 1-888-332-1677 (608) 266-7826 Email Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities | The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities was established to advocate on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities, foster welcoming and inclusive communities, and improve the disability service system. The Board’s mission is to help people with developmental disabilities become independent, productive, and included in all facets of community life. |