Developmental Disabilities

Wisconsin Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

In the state of Wisconsin, the Department of Health and Family Services is the primary state agency responsible for the development and implementation of statewide policy, services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. Specifically, the Department administers programs that promote children living with their families, prevent individuals from moving to institutions, and move individuals who have lived in institutions to the community. This also includes providing leadership and assistance throughout the system in promoting best practice to improve the overall quality and safety of services and supports. The common goal is "inclusion"; that is, people living, working, learning, and playing in communities of their choice.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

Wisconsin's Vocational Rehabilitation is a federal/state program designed to obtain, maintain, and improve employment for people with disabilities by working with VR consumers, employers, and other partners. Workers with developmental disabilities primarily receive services through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) located in the Department of Workforce Development. A person with a disability may be able to receive vocational rehabilitation services from DVR if they have a physical or mental impairment that makes it difficult to get or keep a job.

Sheltered Employment

Many individuals with disabilities need ongoing support services in order to maintain their employment. Sheltered workshops provide employment opportunities for individuals who are not yet ready for competitive employment or have decided that this option is not the right one for them at this time. The goal of sheltered workshops is to support and assist consumers with disabilities to live and work in their communities. At this time, sheltered employment in Wisconsin is contracted out to private non-profit firms.

Competitive Employment

Supported employment is a unique employment service for individuals who, because of disabilities, need ongoing support services in the competitive workforce. Staff from private, non-profit, rehabilitation agencies statewide provide services to both the employer and the employee, including: recruitment, matching an employee to tasks and duties within the company; assistance in training the employee and co-workers/mentors; and assisting the individual in work-related needs.

Health and Safety

For safety consultation contact:

In Wisconsin, consultation programs for employers are divided into two areas: health and safety. For health consultation contact:

Wisconsin statues section 101.055 requires the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to adopt and enforce safety and health standards that will provide protection to public employees at least equal to that provided in the private sector under OSHA.

A public employee or public employee representative who believes a safety or health standard is being violated or a situation exists that poses a hazard likely to cause death or physical harm may request the Department of Commerce to conduct an inspection.

Complaints about the health and safety of workers are covered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). There are 4 regional OSHA offices in Wisconsin.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

The initial point of contact for abuse and neglect should be the case manager at the county level. You may also contact the Adult Protective Services in your county.

To discuss issues of suspected neglect, abuse or exploitation of vulnerable adults, call the Wisconsin Bureau of Aging and Long-Term Care Resources and ask for the contact names and numbers for Adult Protective Services in your home county.

Protection and Advocacy

The Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy is the state's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities.