Barbara Beckert

Position title: Director of External Advocacy for Disability Rights Wisconsin

Barbara wearing a purple button down and black cardigan, smiling in front of a grey brick wall

Barbara Beckert is Director of External Advocacy for Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW), the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy system for Wisconsin. Barbara leads DRW’s voting access activities to protect the voting rights of people with disabilities. She co-leads the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition, in partnership with the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. Barbara staffs the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force, and co-chairs the Wisconsin Council on Mental Health Legislative Policy Committee. She coordinates DRW’s public policy work and is involved with systems advocacy on a range of issues including Medicaid, long term care, mental health, children’s services, justice reform, transportation, and voting. Barbara has a deep commitment to equity and to advancing the rights of people with disabilities.

Presentation Title: Centering Disability Justice: Voting Rights and Equity