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2026 Wisconsin Disability Policy Fellowship Application

Fellowship Description and Qualifications

The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) is an independent state agency committed to advocating for the rights and inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

BPDD is committed to encouraging a wide group of applicants to participate in the Wisconsin Disability Public Policy Leadership Fellowship. If you require any accommodations to complete your application or to participate in the fellowship, please let us know. We are here to provide the support you need to succeed.

Position Overview

The Wisconsin Disability Policy Fellowship is a one-year, paid full-time integrated experience designed to develop future leaders in disability policy. Fellows will work within key Wisconsin policy divisions, state agencies or disability organizations. The fellowship focuses on understanding how laws are developed, how program policies are created, and how public policy impacts people’s lives. Fellowships will have a particular focus on impacting people using the long-term care system in Wisconsin. Positions may be virtual or a hybrid of in-person and virtual. This is a BPDD project funded through a grant from Common Good Philanthropies.

Deadline for Application is June 24th, 2026 by 5pm.

Possible placement opportunities may include:
  • Department of Health Services-Division of Medicaid Services-Long Term Care
  • Department of Health Services Division of Quality Assurance
  • Department of Health Services Children’s Long-Term Waiver
  • Department of Workforce Development-Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Legislative Office
Responsibilities
  • Participate in orientation and public policy training.
  • Engage in legislative and state programs to identify, develop, and advocate for disability-related policies.
  • Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, state agencies, and advocacy organizations.
  • Attend and contribute to events, workshops, and networking opportunities inside and outside the agency.
  • Receive coaching and mentoring from experienced disability policy professionals.
  • Work on specific legislative initiatives and program improvements impacting the disability community.
  • Work on plain language resources for the individual agency or organization.
  • Provide help and support to people with disabilities interacting with the agency or organization.
  • Be available for Fellowship from September 2026 through August 2027.
Benefits
  • Annual stipend $63,000
  • Technology Provided
  • Travel reimbursement
  • Health insurance stipend
Required Skills
  • Identify as a person with a developmental disability or a family member of a person with a developmental disability.
  • Demonstrated commitment to disability advocacy and policy.
  • Have previous involvement in state or local level advocacy with a focus on long-term care, employment, education, community organizing, or related fields.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to work as a team and get along with others.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proven problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
  • Be available for full-time Fellowship from September 2026 through August 2027.
Preferred Skills
  • Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Knowledge of Wisconsin’s legislative and state programs.
  • Knowledge of Wisconsin’s long-term care system.
  • Previous experience in a leadership role in a volunteer or paid position.
1.Personal Information(Required.)
2.Which one of these do you identify as:(Required.)
3.Resume(Required.)
No file chosen
4.Please provide two references for us to contact. These can be personal and professional and can talk about the skills you have for this program.
Reference #1:(Required.)
5.Reference #2(Required.)
6.Please answer the following 4 questions:


Explain how your background and experiences make you a good candidate for this fellowship.(Required.)
7.Describe a time when you successfully advocated for a policy change or improvement.(Required.)
8.What do you believe are the most pressing issues currently facing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Wisconsin?(Required.)
9.What are your short- and long-term goals for a career in disability policy?(Required.)
10.If you are a person with a disability using public benefits, BPDD recommends that you participate in Work Incentive Benefits Counseling BEFORE the Fellowship start date to learn how the stipend might impact your benefits. This process can take up to 60 days to complete.

Work incentives benefit specialists offer support to people with disabilities by helping them make informed decisions about employment. They help people understand how they could benefit from working and explain special rules about returning to work. They also help people understand how their work and earnings can affect their disability benefits.

More information and where to find a work incentives benefit specialist can be found on the DHS Website at Benefit Counseling: Benefit Counseling: Work Incentives Benefit Specialists | Wisconsin Department of Health Services(Required.)
11.I agree I will be able and ready to take a Fellowship position if offered to me by September 1, 2026, through August 30, 2027.(Required.)