Advocacy Director’s Report
SPRING 2008—Work as of January 15, 2008
This report represents a summary of the work PAI staff has
reported from
The main theme of this quarter’s communications work was
housing –the estimated 500 accessible housing units that will become available
over the next few years in San Francisco as a result of the settlement of the
Laguna Honda Hospital anti-discrimination case; the lawsuit against Governor
Schwarzenegger for vetoing a $55 million model program to house and assist
approximately 5000 homeless Californians with mental disabilities; and the
increased services offered by PAI in reaction to the fires in southern
California, outreaching to people with disabilities having trouble finding
accessible shelters.
Highlights of this quarter’s press releases and resulting media coverage follow:
October 9 – in
response to the Governor’s veto of funds set aside for expanding mental health
projects, a statewide press release threatening a lawsuit was issued by PAI and
a coalition of disability advocacy, self-advocacy and social justice groups.
The plea for restoration of the (AB 2034) funds gave a deadline of October 23 for response from the state,
prompting most of
December 13 – After
receiving no response, the coalition launched a lawsuit, noting in its press
release that the de-funding of these vital services had already resulted in
program closure by 34 of 58
November 27 – The
preliminary settlement of the Laguna Honda case, resulting in a series of new
services for elderly and disabled San Franciscans was announced in a joint
press release by the City & County of San Francisco and PAI, distributed
nationwide. This case was closely watched by
October 3 and 6 – PAI
attorney Eric Gelber participated in a week-long passionate exchange of views
in the Sacramento Bee about the closure of a popular Sacramento sports
facility, reportedly due to the high costs of making it accessible. In his
letter to the editor, Gelber stressed that people with disabilities had the
right to use community facilities; while Bee columnist Marcos Breton agreed and
investigating further, surmised that questionable fiscal management was the
more likely reason for closure. The majority of posted responses to the
articles show that public opinion is still narrowly focused on the cost of
accessibility, and more needs to be done to raise awareness of the
October 16 – In in-depth hearings about whether IHSS could institute a two-tiered system of payments for its workers, PAI advocate Deborah Doctor was quoted in the Lake County News. She pointed out that the proponents of the new system had not demonstrated that increased safety would result and that it appeared the main motivation was cost-savings.
Communications: Goals 1, 2, 3
PAI Staff: Barb Duncan, Dan Brzovic, Elissa Gershon, Elizabeth Zirker, Eric Gelber, Deborah Doctor, Kim Swain
Grant Funding Source:
Trust Fund
Following a decision by the Board to hold a public search for a new organizational logo, more than 8000 press releases were distributed nationwide in mid-December, resulting in more than 100 inquiries and over 30 designs received. Special efforts were made to circulate the information to regional centers, disability organizations and schools offering a major in graphic design.
In November, the Spanish language version of the PAI website was launched with press releases issued in English and Spanish. Updated weekly, many sections have now been translated and others are in the process, based on priorities of the information.
Communications: Goal 3
PAI Staff: Jesse Magano, Barbara Silva, Barbara Duncan, Esperanza Romano
Grant Funding Source: Trust Fund
Also initiated during this quarter were a redesigned and updated version of the Board web pages, and a redesign of the homepage news items, based on a staff training on website accessibility by GO9, the firm that modernized the website. Frames were eliminated as they pose a challenge to screen-readers, and background colors were introduced to provide better contrast for those with low-vision.
Communications: Goal 3
PAI Staff: Barbara Duncan, Margaret Johnson and contractors Ruth Ordas and Hizuru Cruz
Grant Funding Source: Trust Fund
The homepage is often used to promote PAI priorities and interests and those featured this quarter include:
· PAI comments on proposed Medicaid rehabilitation regulations
·
Sizzle & Fizzle in
· Appointments to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities
· Articles covering mental health services on campus in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech killings and the
·
Presidential Candidates disability forum, held
this fall in
According to Google analytics, from October 1 to December
31, there were 51,559 visits from 118 countries and territories, with the vast
majority (48,497) emanating from the
Legislative activities are current at the time this report is prepared, however, the legislature moves quickly and things can change overnight, so for the most current information on bills or other activities reported here, check PAI’s legislative website:
http://www.pai-ca.org/legislature/2007legislation.htm
During the months of November and December, staff developed and the board approved the PAI legislative platform. From that platform, PAI has three sponsored pieces of legislation. Senator Sheila James Kuehl, Chair of the Senate Health Committee and a champion of universal health care, is the author of two of the bills. Assembly Member Jim Beall, Chair of the Committee on Human Services, is the author of the other.
The first is a bill that restricts the use of restraint and ends in seclusion practices in schools. These practices are inappropriate and extremely traumatic to children with disabilities.
The second bill PAI is being cosponsored with the Disability
Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF). This bill concerns Durable
Medical Equipment (
The final bill, co-sponsored by PAI and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities looks at expanding opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to participate in integrated employment, social, and other integrated activities as well as expanding supported living opportunities. In addition, the bill strengthens the Individual Program Plan (IPP) process and planning for transition from school to adult services. There is language in the bill focused on ensuring that Regional Centers provide a timely copy of an lPP, as well as timely translation of the IPP.
Public Policy: Goals 1, 2, 3, 6
PAI
Staff: Evelyn Abouhassan, Deborah Doctor
Grant/Funding
Source(s): Trust Fund, Equal Access
Staff reviewed the governor's budget that he released on January 10. The governor's budget projects a $14 billion deficit. To address the problem, the governor’s proposed budget makes huge cuts across the board, including programs that serve people with the disabilities. The budget does not propose raising taxes in order to bring in more revenue. PAI staff is working hard, with many allies, to fight back these cuts. Staff attends hearings and testifies in opposition. We also draft letters in opposition and use the press to oppose the cuts. See PAI’s web site for more information and copies of our positions about the budget cuts: http://www.pai-ca.org/legislature/Budget/2008-2009/2008Positions.htm
Public Policy: Goals 3, 4, 5, 6
PAI
Staff: Evelyn Abouhassan, Deborah Doctor, Margaret Johnson
Grant/Funding
Source(s): Trust Fund, Equal Access
AB 1654: Originally a bill about all mail voting, the bill in its current form, creates an alternative voting system using vote centers and mobile voting centers instead of traditional polling places. PAI has been working with the author’s office to make sure that people with disabilities are not disenfranchised by the proposed changes in the legislation. PAI is currently opposed to the bill because it will reduce polling locations thus making it harder for some people with disabilities to get to polling locations.. The bill is currently not moving through the Legislature because of the cost of the measure.
AB 9: This bill
requires voters to show one of six specified types of picture identification at
polling sites. This can be a problem for some people with disabilities who may
not have the required identification.
Voter identification is a growing issue in
Recently, the Secretary of State decertified some electronic
voting systems and created a conditional recertification process. This stems
from the
Public Policy: Goals
3, 6
PAI Staff: Brandon
Tartaglia, Margaret Johnson, Hillary Sklar
Grant/Funding
Source(s): Trust Fund, Equal Access, PAVA
PAI staff are working with legislative staff and other advocates to help make sure that 2008 bills appropriately address the needs of people with disabilities. Currently staff are working with Assembly Member Sally Lieber’s office and the ARC on potential legislation to help train police officers to work with people with disabilities. The bill expands the basic course for new peace officers to include investigation of crimes against people with disabilities. The bill would update statutes and help to prevent crimes against people with disabilities by creating reporting requirements and mandating background checks for some caregivers.
PAI staff are working with other stakeholders in the community on a piece of legislation to create a care giver registry. The goal of the bill is to identify and limit exposure of persons with disabilities to abusive caregivers. The bill will make the registry available to people and facilities who are looking to hire caregivers. Assembly Member Noreen Evans will carry the bill. Last year, Assembly Member Evans carried a similar bill AB 1192. The bill made it through the legislature only to be vetoed by the Governor due to cost and other factors.
Public Policy: Goals 3, 4, 5, 6
PAI Staff: Leslie
Morrison, Evelyn Abouhassan, Brandon Tartaglia
Grant/Funding Source(s): Trust Fund, Equal Access
During the special session, called immediately after the New
Year, the governor and the Democratic leaders presented
Public Policy: Goals
3, 4, 5, 6
PAI
Staff: Deborah Doctor
Grant/Funding
Source(s): Equal Access
Staff participated in meetings of the Olmstead Advisory
Committee and the Community Choices Advisory Committee. The Community Choices
committee has hired consultants to study and report on problems in
Public Policy: Goals 5, 6
PAI
Staff: Deborah Doctor
Grant/Funding
Source(s): Equal Access
PAI is again working with other advocacy organizations to
plan the annual Disability Capitol Action Day. The event is only in the
beginning planning stages. The event is
scheduled for
Public Policy: Goals 4, 6
PAI Staff: Brandon
Tartaglia
Grant/Funding
Source(s): Equal Access
The project focuses on helping
people with disabilities in
In November, project members narrowed their transportation work to analyzing the new paratransit services. They looked at ways to best influence how these transportation services are provided to people with disabilities.
In December, those project members interested in getting paratransit
completed their application form and submitted it to the Transportation
Agency. People continued to raise
concern about the way the Transportation Agency is implementing paratransit
services. Project members analyzed the
benefits and problems of using paratransit services versus the general curb to
curb transportation services offered to everyone in the
In
January, Project members reviewed the paratransit services and the way in
which
Collaborative Projects: Goal 1
PAI
staff:
Grant/Funding Source(s): PAVA, Trust Fund
Developmental Disabilities peer self advocacy
Unit staff provided 16 trainings on a variety of topics
such as; Self Advocacy and Rights of People with Developmental Disabilities,
Self Directed Services, Peer Advocacy Leadership Skills, Civic Participation,
Voting Rights, Supported Living and Employment Services, Abuse Prevention, IPP
Rights in addition to outreaches regarding PAI, OCRA and DDPSAU general services to approximately 385 people in groups such as
the Supported Life Institute Conference in Sacramento, STEP Services in
Sacramento, Good Will Sacramento, Grupo de Apoyo de Padres in Sacramento, Alta California Regional Center, Sierra Vista
Residents Council in Yuba City, Sonoma Developmental Center, Easter Seals Yuba
City, South Side Arts Center Auburn, Sacramento City College, Community
Connections in Simi Valley, The ARC of Ventura County, Through the Looking
Glass in
Unit Staff conducted a variety of trainings to address
choices in living and meaningful day activity arrangements available to people
with developmental disabilities such as independent living and supported living
and employment services. During this
quarter DDPSAU staff provided outreach about the range of services available
from PAI.
Developmental Disabilities Peer Self Advocacy: Goal 1 Objective C, Goal 2 Objective A
PAI Staff: Marinda
Reed, Maria Marquez, Daniel Meadows
Grant/Funding Source(s): Equal Access, PADD, PAVA
DDPSAU staff concentrated their efforts on leadership,
civic participation and voting rights in preparation for the upcoming primary
elections. Unit staff provided two Civic
Participation and Voting Rights trainings at
Developmental Disabilities Peer Self Advocacy, Goal 1 Objective B
PAI Staff: Marinda
Reed, Maria Marquez, Gail Greshem, Daniel Meadows, and Jacqueline Gallegos
Grant/Funding Source(s): Equal Access,
PAVA
The DDPSAU maintains liaison relationships with a number of
regional, state and national stake holder and self advocacy organizations such
as People First of California, National Disability Rights Network Consumer
Advisory Committee, the Self Advocacy Coordination Project, Bay Area People
First, Golden Gate Regional Center Guidance Team, Capitol People First and Alta
Regional Center Consumer Advisory Committee.
As a result of the collaboration with People First of California, DDPSA
staff worked to identify a recipient of Sandra Jensen Self Advocacy Award for
2008 and to explore opportunities to work together on future projects. Unit
staff is currently collaborating with consumer advocates from around the state
to develop a best practices hand book and organize two annual meetings to
strengthen Peer Advocacy as a profession.
Developmental Disabilities Peer Self Advocacy, Goals 1 Objective C, Goal 2 Objective A
PAI Staff: Marinda
Reed, Maria Marquez and Daniel Meadows
Grant/Funding Source(s): Equal Access, PADD,
PAVA
DDPSAU staff works to develop new and innovative materials for people with developmental disabilities. Currently under development are expanded abuse prevention materials which are designed to function as a multi training track along with our current abuse prevention training. Staff is working on “rights to relationships across the life span” training track. In addition, DDPSA staff are revising “YOUR IPP It’s More Than Just a Piece of Paper” and creating user friendly employment reentry materials.
Developmental Disabilities Peer Self Advocacy, Goal 1 Objective C
PAI Staff: Marinda
Reed, Maria Marquez and Daniel Meadows
Grant/Funding Source(s): Equal Access, PADD,
PAVA
PEER SELF ADVOCACY
Since many of
the self-advocacy group members are homeless, they decided to develop a
community resource and outreach handbook to offer guidance and assistance to
fellow consumers who were facing long- or short-term homelessness. Entitled “Help!, I’m Homeless in San
Bernardino County”, the group members created a cover sheet with art, a
dedication page, an explanation of potential causes of homelessness and some
personal testimonies from members who have survived living in the streets. The group is currently developing a contacts
list, with information about homeless shelters, food pantries, medical and
dental assistance and other services.
Group members say that this book has become a personal passion, and the
book continues to increase in size as they discover more resources.
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal 1 Objective B
Funding source: PAIMI
PSA Staff: Garnet
Magnus
A new
self-advocacy group for Transitional Age Youth (TAY) began meeting in January
2008. This is the
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal 1 Objective B
Funding source: PAIMI
PSA Staff: Garnet Magnus
A new
self-advocacy group started at the
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal 1 Objective B
Funding source: PAIMI
PSA Staff: Robyn
Gantsweg
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal
1 Objective B
Funding source: PAVA
PSA Staff: Robyn Gantsweg
On
Beginning in January a bi-monthly training for the
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal
1 Objective B
PAI Staff: Linda Kehoe
Grant Funding:
Sierra Center Self Advocacy group (
Crestwood Redding:
After learning about their rights to participate in their treatment teams and learning about their personal options, two clients have been successful in getting their discharge plans approved.
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal
1 Objective B
PAI Staff: Mark Olberg
Grant Funding: PAIMI
Creekside Mental
Members of the Creekside Self Advocacy group have been working on a project that advocates changes in the facility’s treatment program. Group members are requesting input into the program design so it focuses more on an individual’s life experience with an emphasis on individual recovery. Group members have identified components of recovery themes they want addressed such as: How to develop a support system? How can I build supportive relationships and Moving from illness to Wellness?
Two residents demonstrated successful self advocacy by overcoming institutional dependency. One resident, who lived at Canyon Manor for five years, is now living in a residential care home and attending a community self help center. Another resident has been promised a discharge after developing a plan for community living and finding a way to navigate through the facility’s level system. The level system is the facility’s way that residents can gain more privileges such as passes to leave the facility for outings, canteen privileges or even to be discharged.
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal
1 Objective B
PAI Staff: Sharon Schmidt
Grant Funding: PAIMI
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal
2 Objective B
Funding Source: PAIMI
The
On November 15, 2007 the California Memorial Project which
consist of members from the
Peer/Self-Advocacy Units’ of Protection and Advocacy, Inc., participated in a
ceremony to re-inter 42 set of remains which were unearthed over 2 years ago on
the grounds of the former Stockton Developmental Center, now
The remains were individually placed in three concrete vaults underneath the ground. Bill Holland from the Department of Mental Health noted that according to records that were found it appears that these remains were those of residents from the 1890’s. Alicia Mendoza spoke on behalf of the project, and told the group that a ceremony would take place when a monument was placed that would allow the community to honor and give respect to are brothers and sisters who are now buried here.
The project is currently working with the site authority of
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal 2 Objective A
Developmental
Disabilities Peer Self Advocacy: Goal 1 Objective B, Goal 2 Objective A
Funding Source: PAIMI/PADD
PSA/DDPSA Staff: Alicia Mendoza, Jenny Olson, Daniel Meadows, David Solis
After the Remembrance Ceremony on September 17,
2007, a group of peers and members of the California Memorial Project in
Ukiah decided that they would move forward with the restoration of the cemetery
where remains from residents of former
Peer Self Advocacy: Goal
2 Objective A
Funding Source: PAIMI
PSA Staff: Martha Cook
and Rob Chittenden