What: National and state Attorneys representing disability and aging advocates will discuss why the state’s ability to protect vulnerable populations through a Safer At Home order is essential to save lives and slow the COVID-19 pandemic. Disability and aging advocates have filed an amicus brief that outlines why these populations are uniquely vulnerable.
• When: Thursday, April 30th at 1:30 PM.
• Where: Register and participate via Zoom. Email: SurvivalCoalitionwi@gmail.com to receive the link.
• Who: The Media will hear directly from the following individuals:
Shira Wakschlag, Director, Legal Advocacy & Associate General Counsel, The Arc of the United States, also representing The Arc Wisconsin. Shira is the lead attorney coordinating the drafting of the brief on behalf of over 30 national and statewide groups. Shira directs The Arc’s participation in disability rights litigation, working closely with The Arc’s state chapter network. She is the former Chair of the Disability Rights Committee within the American Bar Association’s Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice and on the board of the Disability Rights Bar Association.
Michelle Pike. Michelle’s parents, ages 94 and 92 of Wauwatosa, both tested positive for the coronavirus and died within hours of each other at a Milwaukee hospital on April 18th. Michelle is the former Director of the ADRC of Ozaukee County, now retired.
Janet Zander, Advocacy & Public Policy Coordinator, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc. Janet coordinates the advocacy and public policy objectives of the Greater WI Agency on Aging Resources
(GWAAR) and supports advocacy in the GWAAR service area, including 70 Wisconsin counties and 11 tribes. She also coordinates GWAAR advocacy initiatives with the broader Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN).
Kit Kerschensteiner, Director of Legal and Advocacy Services, Disability Rights Wisconsin. Kit is an expert on the civil rights of persons with disabilities in Wisconsin and nationally and is the Wisconsin Counsel of Record on the amicus brief. Kit has successfully undertaken a number of federal civil rights actions on behalf of institutionalized persons and participated as amicus in appellate and Supreme Court cases containing important issues for people with disabilities.
Matt Ford, Consumer/Advocate Member – Wisconsin Long-Term Care Workforce Alliance. Matt is a person with a disability who manages direct care professionals to support his own daily care needs.
