Advocates for seniors, those with disabilities call for focus on key issues
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:40 a.m.,. Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 with comment from U.S. Rep. Tiffany, the Hazelhurst Republican running for governor.
Advocates for older adults and those with disabilities are urging candidates running for governor to support Medicaid home and community-based services, address affordable and accessible housing, and fund special education.
More than 30 disability and aging groups held a forum this week to spotlight issues that they say are not getting enough attention in the governor’s race.
Tami Jackson, co-chair of the Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations, said that coming Medicaid cuts combined with a change in civil rights enforcement at the federal level are threatening programs that keep people out of costly institutions.
“They will create dramatic consequences for caregivers and people who need care,” she said.
Carl Schulze, a disabled self-advocate from the Fox Valley, traveled by wheelchair to the state Capitol this summer to raise concerns. If he lost one or two more caregivers, he said he would be in an emergency.
“People like me might soon be forced to choose between our physical health or ending up in a facility because certain states are going to have to make cuts,” he said. “I don’t necessarily know where folks like me would go either because, last I checked, every nursing home is packed full. So it’s really scary.”
Speakers called for more affordable and accessible housing options, as well as funding for special education so parents of students with disabilities can continue to work and provide care to their children.
“There is still time to meaningfully address and elevate aging and disability policy issues in this campaign,” said Emily Petersen, advocacy and public policy director at the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network. “More than half of Wisconsinites are disabled, older adults, family caregivers or some combination of those three. It is impossible for us to be overlooked.”
A spokesperson for the campaign of Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is running on the Democratic ticket for governor, said he will invest in clinics, telehealth and mental health services to ensure Wisconsinites can get care they need.
“David Crowley’s priority is building a Wisconsin that works for all of us — that includes building more affordable housing, lowering the cost of healthcare and fully funding our schools so Wisconsin kids get the care and education they need to succeed,” the spokesperson said.
Northwoods Congressman Tom Tiffany, the Hazelhurst Republican running for governor, said he worked in Congress to ensure Wisconsin receives its “fair share” of federal Medicaid funding, resulting in the state seeing an additional $1 billion in funding compared to last year.
“It is vital that we put those resources to work strengthening access to quality care, supporting our long-term care workforce and ensuring older adults and people with disabilities receive the services they need,” he said in a statement.