News

The APTA Wisconsin Board of Directors is excited to announce the creation of the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) to aid in the development of a leadership pipeline for our early and mid-career members.

The LDC will work closely with the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee to identify potential leaders and then engage them in a series of leadership development experiences. Key to the program’s success will be the mentorship element. The LDC will tap into our Chapter’s extensive leadership lineage to identify mentors who will be matched with our future leaders based on the mentees past experiences and future goals.

Questions? Reach out to the committee co-chairs, Bill Boissonnault and Jeff Wilkens at LDC@aptawi.org. 

The APTA Wisconsin Academic Liaison Committee (ALC) is sponsoring this scholarship. The recipient will receive $300 towards their first year of APTA/APTA WI membership dues after graduating.

Prerequisites:

PT/PTA student graduating this spring/summer

APTA Wisconsin member

To apply:

Graduating PT/PTA students will write an essay (no longer than 500 words) to apply that should address and will be assessed in 3 areas:

1. School or community involvement including any job experience

2. APTA WI/APTA involvement

3. An idea for a project you’d like to work with the ALC on over the next year to increase student involvement in APTA WI. (This should be the primary focus of the application)

The application should be a Word document or PDF and sent to the ALC co-chairs, Erik Gregersen and Billy Bruggink, (erik.gregersen@froedtert.com and billy.bruggink@froedtert.com) by June 1. In the email also include full name, school attending, year in school, APTA ID# and address.

The winner will be chosen by the ALC and notified within two weeks of the application deadline.

APTA Wisconsin's Direct Access Toolkit is designed to support healthcare administrators, rehabilitation directors, and clinicians in successfully implementing a direct access model of care.

Aligned with APTA Wisconsin’s strategic priorities, this resource provides:

• Guidance on obtaining administrative approval
• Overcoming common barriers
• Integrating direct access into various outpatient settings

With evidence-based insights and practical tools, the toolkit also serves as a valuable resource for those engaged in direct access legislative advocacy efforts.

Members can download the FREE toolkit at https://aptawi.org/members/directaccess/.

The APTA Wisconsin Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for upcoming leadership positions! If you are passionate about advancing the profession of physical therapy and want to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to consider running for a position. If you have friends or colleagues that would be great in a leadership role, please consider nominating them as well.

Positions up for election in fall 2025 include treasurer, secretary, nominating committee member, director, and delegate. Serving in these roles is a fantastic opportunity to shape the direction of our profession, advocate for our members, and contribute to the continued growth of physical therapy in our state.

Position descriptions can be found on the APTA Wisconsin website. Please reach out to Lauren Hogan at hoganln@uwm.edu with any questions or nominations for yourself or a colleague.

Great news for physical therapists and their patients—SB 964 has officially taken effect allowing physical therapists to certify eligibility for disabled parking plates and cards through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. This is a significant step forward in improving accessibility and patient care.

A huge thank you to APTA Wisconsin member Chad Novasic, PT, for leading this initiative!

Check Your Sign-In Access

PTs can begin the process by logging in under Health Care Specialist Sign In:

https://disabledparking.wi.gov/

 

Verify Patient Eligibility

Temporary Permit (valid up to 6 months):

Eligibility & Application Details

Permanent Permit (renews every 4 years):

Eligibility & Application Details

 

Complete the Application

Paper Applications (English & Spanish):

• Temporary Permit ($6 fee)
• Permanent Permit (no fee)

Applicants are encouraged to make a copy before submission.

 

Online Applications:

Log in to the Health Care Specialist Portal and complete under “Applicant Information.”

Any applicable fees must still be paid online.

 

Clinic & Healthcare System Considerations

Each clinic or healthcare system should establish protocols regarding:

• Current, past, and prospective patients.
• Any associated costs for processing permits.
• Managing the authorization process within the practice.

 

Questions?

Email: [Wisconsin DMV Email Service]

Phone: (608) 266-3041

Fax: (608) 267-5106

This new authorization ability empowers PTs to better serve patients with mobility impairments, making it easier to access essential parking accommodations. Let’s spread the word!