Hello All, - Thank you for supporting WDBTAP.
Here's the short update: - Next Steps are Below (please, we need more help! and signatures!)
1. No word or response from the Department of Education as of this morning. (9-24-2025)
2. We've reached 500 signatures last night, and we value each and every one of you. Thank you for your support.
3. In the State of Wisconsin we appear to have the full support the Department of Education, top to bottom. Many of the local representatives also know about this issues. The final decision rests in the hands of the federal government (and the Dept of Ed., Namely: Diana Diaz, and Murray Bessette)
4. Representative Mark Pocan is on board to help, and Derrick Van Orden's staff has been informed in detail. Senator Baldwin has also been informed, but Ron Johnson's office has been radio silent.
5. The following news pieces have been released. NBC-26, Wisconsin NPR, Channel 3000, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WBAY - TV, WSAW,
NEXT STEPS
A. Please Call or email your House Rep, and share a news article with them. (Remember this is about helping Deaf Blind kids, not expired fine print)
B. Please Call and email Senator's Ron Johnson, and Tammy Baldwin, and share the news article and Petition with them.
C. Share this petition EVERYWHERE: Facebook groups, X/Twitter, Instagram, etc. And tag congress people and reporters.
D. If any of you have anyone you know at FOX News, NBC, CBS, ABC, or CNN, Please Reach out to them and share this issue. Here's what you can say:
Opening: I'm concerned about the Federal funding cut of the WDBTAP Program. This program helps over 170 Deaf Blind kids in my state. It's being cut because their grant contained EXPIRED DEI policies. Please help us keep this great program that helps Children with Disabilities.
Letter:
On September 5th, The Department of Education sent notice to the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction that funding would be cut for the Deaf Blind Tech. Assistance Project. The WDBTAP, is a program that serves 170 students across the state, with both vision and hearing loss. The premise to cut funding was due to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion language that was written into the grant, and these policies do not align with the goals of the current administration. Wisconsin has submitted an appeal for this decision because these policies expired before the current administration entered office. This program does conform with the current goals and executive orders of the Trump administration.
WDBTAP is an essential program for DeafBlind kids in Wisconsin. The program helps families learn and connect with their kids, and trains educators on how to teach and work with DeafBlind students. The program has been around since the 1960's and has faithfully served its students to help them live a full life, develop their needed communication skills, and build a community of people with similar disabilities. Of these 170 students at least 85% of them have 4 or more disabilities. For Families in this program it has been essential for their kids, to help connect with skilled therapy and useful tools. The Parents have gained training and experience in American Sign Language. The kids have friends in the program with disabilities like them, and this is the community best suited to them.
The project needs funding restored before Sept. 30th or it will have to close the doors. This means disconnecting families, removing support for their educators, less training for social workers and fewer tools for these kids to learn and grow. The Dept. of Education has directed that the money be taken away from Wisconsin and these kids and given to any other state. This program is about helping DeafBlind Kids, it's not about DEI goals.
End letter.
Contact Info.
Ron Johnson:
Madison Office: Phone: (608) 240-9629
Milwaukee Office: Phone: (414) 276-7282
Oshkosh Office: Phone: (920) 230-7250
D.C. Office: Phone: (202) 224-5323
Tammy Baldwin: Phone: 202-224-5653
Wisconsin Representatives:
Bryan Steil 202-225-3031 (DC) 414-285-2120 (Milwaukee)
Mark Pocan 202-225-2906 (DC) 608-258-9800 (Madison)
Derrick Van Orden 202-225-5506 (DC) 608 782-2558 (La Crosse)
Gwen Moore 202-225-4572(DC) 414-297-1140 (Milwaukee)
Scott Fitzgerald 202-225-5101 (DC) 262-784-1111 (Oconomowoc)
Glenn Grothman 202-225-2476 (DC) 920-907-0624 (Fond du Lac)
Thomas Tiffany 202-225-3365 (DC) 715-298-9344 (Wausau)
Tony Wied 202-225-5665 (DC) 920-301-4500 (De Pere)
Email Murray Bessette at the Department of Education to request funding be re-instated
Murray.bessette@ed.gov
contact@murraybessette.com
Email OSERS and Diana Diaz about the re-evaluation. And share your story with them.
OSERSgrants@ed.gov
diana.diaz@ed.gov