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Disability Rights California

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Hot Topics in Disability News

Sen. Joe Biden introduces Crime Victims with Disabilities Act

On October 1, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) introduced the Crime Victims with Disabilities Act (S. 3668), which will increase the awareness, investigation, prosecution, and prevention of crimes against people with disabilities, in addition to improving the services made available to those who are victims of crimes. Read more here about Senator Biden's bill to deter crimes against people with disabilities ...

Governor signs bill to improve disability access

California Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar has signed SB 1608, authored by Senator George Runner (R-Lancaster) and Assemblyman Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita), concluding a two-year bi-partisan effort to improve accessibility for Californians with disabilities and reduce businesses' exposure to expensive litigation over access violations. Read more about SB 1608 in The Signal ...

Disability Rights California hosting election day hotline for voters with disabilities

Californians with disabilities who plan to vote in the election on November 4 have an ally in assuring full and equal access to the voting process. With funding from the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), Disability Rights California, formerly Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI), is sponsoring a toll-free hotline for voters with disabilities who have difficulty accessing polling places, casting ballots or have general questions about the voting process. Read more about the election day hotline in our 10/1/08 press release (htm) or (pdf)

Groundbreaking settlement agreement will create new housing and community services for seniors and adults with disabilities

Elissa Gershon, lead attorney in the case, said "This is an exciting day for Mark and for other Laguna Honda residents. ... This groundbreaking agreement will improve the lives of hundreds of San Franciscans with disabilities and provide a model for community integration in other cities and states." Read more about the settlement in our 9/18 press release ...

Cover photo for "Vote, it's your right"Vote. It's Your Right. A Guide to the
Voting Rights of People with Mental Disabilities

Just in time for the November elections, here is a new guide to voting rights from Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and National Disability Rights Network. Download the new voting guide that explains how to navigate the challenges voters with mental disabilities may face ...

Recommended reading:

Representative Patrick J. Kennedy speaking at a rally in March on Capitol Hill. Mr. Kennedy and Representative Jim Ramstad, third from left, led the fight in the House for mental health parity. Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated PressBailout Provides More Mental Health Coverage, The New York Times, 10/5/08

VA doctors tell Mullen that vets need mental health screenings, Los Angeles Times, 9/21/08

Finding a College That Suits Students With Special Needs, The Wall Street Journal, 9/17/08

The women’s team (above) is made up of Lorenz: Jen Armbruster, who splits her time between Colorado Springs, Colo., and Birmingham, Ala.; Lisa Banta of Boonton, N.J., and Tucson, Ariz.; Jaclyn Barnes of Wadsworth, Ill.; Asya Miller of Lapeer, Mich., and Colorado Springs; and Robyn Theryoung of Clarkston, Mich., and Colorado Springs. Except for one woman, it is the same team that competed in Athens and brought home the silver medal. What’s next for the team? We’ll check in with Lorenz again.Kensington woman helps bring home gold for women’s Paralympic goalball team, East Bay Outtakes, 9/15/08

 

Hot Topics Archive

Disability Rights California is a nonprofit disability rights organization, working since 1978 to advance human and legal rights of Californians with disabilities. We strive to create a barrier-free, inclusive society that values diversity and each individual. our services are available throughout the state and we assist tens of thousands of people with disabilities each year. Click here for links to our offices. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of Californians with disabilities and their families benefit from our legislative advocacy, class-action court suits and collaboration with other groups.

We have more than 200 staff and Board members with a wide array of legal and advocacy expertise. They have developed innovative programs for Californians with developmental, psychiatric, sensory and physical disabilities. We collaborate on the state and federal levels with other advocacy groups throughout the U.S.

Link here to see the 10 services we provide free of charge.