Disability Rights California participates in variety of ADA events July 24-28

Tina Contreras, of Fair Oaks signs with Scott Wirth, 44, of Fair Oaks at the ADA event. Photo by Randy Perch. See more photos here.

Today, the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, cited by President Obama for its emphasis on independence rather than dependence, is being celebrated in each of the 50 states. In California, thousands of supporters turned out for events including parades and rallies, celebrations of disability milestones, and community fairs. Disability Rights California helped to sponsor a few and joined in others with information and "know your rights" booths. Following are a selection of events that just concluded and one that is upcoming:

• the West Coast's first Disability Pride Parade and Festival was held in San Jose on July 24, organized by the Silicon Valley Center for Independent Living;
• in Hayward, a 20th ADA Anniversary Festival was put together by Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL);
• from 9-1 today, a huge ADA Rally took place at the Capitol Building in Sacramento, with a variety of speakers and entertainment assembled by the Department of Rehabilitation;
• a celebratory Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) luncheon was held today, featuring leaders from the 1990 ADA signing ceremony as well as young activists; and
• on the afternoon of July 28, the YLF, sponsored by the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, is inviting everyone to participate in an exhibition of adaptive sports at Raley Field in Sacramento, followed by a River Cats (baseball) game that will recognize the YLF leadership and feature an accessible sing-along of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Watch this space for more details as we receive them.

If your group had an ADA event, email or send us a photograph with some information and we will publish a selection here for the next two weeks.

At White House ADA event, President Obama promises more accessibility, signs order to boost federal employment of people with disabilities

Speaking to a lawn full of advocates on the afternoon of July 26, President Obama gave a heartfelt history of the ADA, and then listed his plans to implement disability rights. He cited new ADA regulations open for comment through the Department of Justice, emphasized his full support for Olmstead principles and promised to improve website and broadband accessibility. Concerning the UN Convention on disability rights, the President said he will submit a ratification package to Congress and expected swift passage.

Surrounded by some of his department Secretaries, he signed an order establishing the federal government as a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The President concluded with a story about Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence who was said to have a form of palsy. Hopkins wrote that as he reached for his pen, “My hand trembles, but my heart does not.” Read the entire speech online. The event was webcast and included entertainment by Marlee Matlin, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers and Patti Labelle as well as ADA remembrances by disability activists.

In U.S., report finds greater risk of deportation for people with mental disabilities

People with mental disabilities, including U.S. citizens, face a greater risk of erroneous deportation by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) because courts do not ensure fair hearings for those not able to represent themselves, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a joint report released today. Read the complete article here.

Court issues injunction to assure continuity of care for Sacramento County mental health clients

Today Federal District Judge John Mendez granted a preliminary injunction stopping the county from implementing and enforcing its hybrid plan until the court  determines that mental health recipients will continue to receive integrated services to avoid institutionalization. The County's plan would have closed centers that are now providing lifelines for an estimated 5000 people with psychiatric disabilities, placing mental health consumers’ health and safety at risk. Read the complete press release here and view other related documents on the case homepage.

California mental health advocates: apply now for scholarship to attend Alternatives Conference in Anaheim - September 29 to October 3, 2010

The Alternatives Conference is a national consumer/ex-patient conference for current and/or former mental health clients. Disability Rights California is providing up to 10 scholarships for qualified applicants interested in attending the conference and sharing information with others. See the announcement and application for details. Application deadline is August 10, 2010.

National contest encourages people with depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder to speak out

SPEAK and Be Heard... Living With Depression Contest urges individuals to serve as role models by sharing their stories of success. Stories can be submitted in the form of an essay, song, art, poetry, or video. To qualify, essay, song and poem submissions must be received by August 13; and art and video submissions by September 10.

Legislature approves annual remembrance day for Californians who died anonymously in state institutions

From the mid-1880s to the 1960s, more than 45,000 individuals died while residents of a state institution and were buried in numbered or unmarked graves in mass sites. Now they will be be honored every third Monday of September, thanks to an Assembly resolution of July 8, authored by Sen. Wesley Chesbro, and sponsored by Disability Rights California, People First California and the California Network of Mental Health Clients. See details here.

Recommended Viewing

Disability focus, Bay Area Jewish film festival

If you missed the disability themed entries in the 2010 San Francisco Jewish film festival, here’s your chance to catch them July 31-August 4 in Berkeley at the Roda Theater:

• Bena, focusing on society’s marginalization of people with mental illness, July 31, noon
• Anita, story of a young Argentinian woman with Down syndrome, August 3, 6:30 p.m.
• Ingelore, remembrance of a deaf mother in 1930’s Germany, August 4, 2:15 p.m and
• War against the Weak, documentary about U.S. origins of eugenics and its rapid international spread, August 4, 4:30. The last 2 films will be shown as a free program with sign language interpretation.

Recommended reading

Bookshare celebrates 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with free membership offer

Secretary Sebelius writes to Governors on behalf of people with disabilities, 7/29/10

Highlights of a forum: actions that could increase work participation for adults with disabilities, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 7/29/10. Available online are the report summary, highlights page, full report, and accessible text.

Obituary: John Callahan, cartoonist, Washington Post, 7/28/10

Judith Heumann, the new U.S. special advisor for international disability rights at the State Department, Rolling Rains Report, 7/27/10

'Hello, Nathaniel': Ayers' trip to D.C. one of uncertainty, triumph, L.A. Times, 7/28/10

Looking back on 20 years of disability rights, NPR, 7/26/10

Viewpoints: Learning about people with disabilities will make a difference, Sacramento Bee, 7/25/10

Department of Justice announces plans to prepare new ADA regulations, PRNewswire, 7/23/10

ADA needs to live up to its promise, Kentucky.com, 7/23/10

The power of technology, the power of equality, whitehouse.gov, 7/20/10

The Task Force for Criminal Justice Collaboration on Mental Health Issues Draft Recommendations report has been released for public comment on the California Courts website. The comment period is July 14-September 17, 2010.