RFW has a variety of Services that it offers its members, the business community and those organizations that serve individuals with disabilities.

RFW has earned a solid and wide reaching reputation for creating and managing very successful conferences and events. RFW now offers meeting planning and management services to outside organizations. From theme development and graphic design to data collection and correspondence, we understand that success comes from the details.

Training and Education:

RFW offers a variety of Professional Development Seminars (PDS) throughout the calendar year. Topics included in the 2004 are: Ethics and Boundaries - Supporting People With Long Term Support Needs; Disabilities 101; Coaching For Results; Grassroots Organizing 101; Time Studies and Piece Rates for Products; Developmental Disabilities 101 and others. These sessions are open to non-members as well. For more information see our 2004 PDS Catalog.

Let us apply our excellent organizational and creative skills to your important meetings. Contact our Director of Education and Meeting Planning, Rebecca Hildebrandt, at rhildebrandt@rfw.org or by phone at 608-244-5310.

RFW manages the Wisconsin Rest Area Maintenance Program (RAM) which involves the oversight of the maintenance and cleaning of waysides, rest areas and weigh stations throughout the state of Wisconsin in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Our program has been looked at as a model program. For more information contact Laurie Judd Breuch at ljudd@rfw.org or by phone at 608-244-5310. Click on the RAM icon at the right and you will be directed to the RAM section of the RFW website.

RFW has a long history in project and grant management, all related to enhancing quality of life and services to people with disabilities. Some of the most recent projects:

• In 2005, RFW contracted with the DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center, located at the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago to manage the ADA Wisconsin Partnership. The mission of the ADA Partnership is to steer Wisconsin communities toward full implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act through education, training, public information, technical assistance and public policy development.
• In 2000, RFW was instrumental in the concept development and implementation of the public awareness and marketing campaign for the first "People Can't Wait" legislative initiative for the Survival Coalition, Wisconsin's statewide consortium of disability groups.
• Since 1987, RFW has provided administration and project management to the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the maintenance of rest areas, waysides, historical markers, park-and-ride lots, and other roadside sites across the state.
• Since 1981, RFW has contracted with the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities (WCDD) to complete a number projects to increase employment opportunities and self advocacy skills for people with disabilities. The most recent, The Business to Business Employment Project, is a statewide project to enhance and develop new networks for job development and placement opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities. Through other WCDD projects, RFW has mobilized disability advocacy groups to build and broaden their capacities through information campaigns including the "Wisconsin Citizens with Disabilities Vote!" project and "On the Move", a newsletter developed to promote, build and mobilize a statewide consumer self advocacy organization.

RFW Members benefit from staff lobbying activities and coalition building with other organizations. RFW works with state agencies and legislators to improve services and programs for our members and clients. Federal legislation and relationships with the Wisconsin Congressional delegation is also a priority. Visit RFW's Legislative web page for more information about current legislative activities: Legislative Advocacy.

RFW provides educational opportunities to members about how to unite people with disabilities, employees, guardians, and other disability advocates and how to build relationships with their elected officials. RFW is offering free grassroots training to members. We will hold the training at the location and date of your choice. Fill out a Grassroots Training Form and return it to the RFW office if you are interested in having us coordinate an event with your organization. Contact Mike Kirby with questions at mkirby@rfw.org or 608-244-5310.