Disability Rights California formerly Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Walking hand in hand, woman and man with developmental disabilities participate in disability rights march

Disability Rights California - En espanol

Toll Free 800.776.5746 / TTY 800.719.5798

We hope you'll explore this website and find resources to help you advocate for your rights or those of another.

Hot Topics in Disability News

Deadline May 31: We want your help on Public Comment Survey

Please take 5 minutes to tell us what our priorities should be for the next 5 years - your opinion is important. This is your opportunity to partner with Disability Rights California in shaping the future of disability rights advocacy in California. Here is the survey in English or en Espanol or call us toll free 800 776 5746 and say you want help filling out the public comments survey.

Discriminatory group housing ordinance proposed in LA: DRC attorney Autumn Elliott critiques it in LATimes

This May 17 article explains why a popular proposed ordinance would make it very difficult to introduce new supported living group homes and would challenge the homes already in use by small groups of people with disabilities.

2012 Voting Hotline Poster imageAnnouncing Disability Rights California's Voting Hotline

Once again, DRC will be holding a hotline for voters with disabilities who have difficulties accessing their right to vote.  Advocates will be available between 7am to 8pm, while the polls open.  We will have two dedicated lines, one for Northern California and one for Southern California. For more information download our hotline flyer here: (pdf) (rtf)

Disability plus Vote equals power button imageSecretary Bowen launches survey to assess needs of voters with disabilities

As Californians prepare to vote in the June 5 Presidential Primary Election, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen launched the state’s first online survey to help elections officials assess and address the needs of voters with disabilities. Take the short survey here!

Governor's revised budget: mixed effects on people with disabilities takes bold steps forward on institutions, but doubles down on IHSS recipients

Read the May 14 press release.

Personal data for home care workers, recipients lost in the mail: DRC advocate Deborah Doctor quoted

Read the full L.A. Times article.

DRC offers the Client Assistance Program (CAP) statewide, to help people resolve their issues with the Department of Rehabilitation

Client Assistance Program (CAP) provides advocacy to persons with disabilities who are seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) services from DOR. CAP advocates are independent advocates for DOR clients and client applicants. Read more about CAP services.

DRC opposes Senate Bill 1186: 30 day notice requirement for accessibility suits infringes on civil rights

We oppose this Steinberg and Dutton bills because: the 30 day notice required before bringing suit for lack of access infringes upon the civil rights of people with disabilities; the California Commission on Disability Access is not used to resolve issues that the bill proposes to remedy; and the Commission is given new requirements but insufficient funds to implement them. Read our letter opposing SB 1186.

Latino Conference 2012 Poster ImageJoin our Southern California Latino Conference
June 23, 2012, 9am-4pm, San Bernardino

Disability Rights California is providing a networking and information exchange opportunity for advocates, people with disabilities, service providers, parents of children with disabilities and community leaders interested in improving life for Latinos with disabilities. Read the conference details here.

AR 2011Check out our 2011 Annual Report

Read our success stories and how we helped: David find a more inclusive school; Joaquin to leave an institution and move to his own place; and Esther to hold on to her community-based services. Download and read the latest DRC Annual Report.

 

DRC sponsors bills to improve reporting on injuries to people living in developmental centers

Read the 4/21/12 U-T San Diego article here.

Video of the week: Darius Goes West - "Pimp My Wheelchair"

Case settles: Sacramento County mental health clients will continue receiving support from their service providers

Approximately 5000 people receiving critical mental health services from Sacramento County will receive "continuity of care" from their regional support teams, thanks to a case settled January 23 by Disability Rights California, the Western Center on Law and Poverty and Cooley LLP. The case, Napper et al v. Sacramento County, was filed in 2010 in response to a County plan to abruptly close successful outpatient services and offer alternative services by County employees. See press release for full details and the Stipulation of Parties to a Resolution of All Matters of Issue.

Upcoming events

Social Security Administration Ticket to Work Program to Hold Webinar on "Free Support Services for Young Adults in Transition", May 23, 2012, 3-4pm EST

The 2012 Annual Education Summit: The California and National Landscape - Challenges and Opportunities in Special Education, CSU San Bernardino, May 28, 2012, 8am-1pm

Capitol Action DayCapitol Action Day, May 30, 2012, begins at 10am. Disability Action in Coalition!

• March to the Capitol
• Educational Rally
• Disability Action Coalition Resource Fair


Accessible Air Travel: Flying made easier for travelers using wheelchairs, Free Webinar, May 31, 2012, 2-3pm EST

USC UCEDD AB 2338 (Chesbro and Beall) Employment First Webinar, May 31, 2012, 10 AM

Recommended reading

Justice Department Extends Deadline for Existing Pools to Comply with 2010 ADA Standards, DOJ, 5/18/12

Katie Beckett dies: her right to leave hospital for home-based treatment was landmark case, DesMoinesRegister.com, 5/18/12

Latino Parents With Autistic Children Face Major Hurdles, Bell Gardens Sun, 5/18/12

Obama Urges Senate To Ratify Disability Treaty, Disability Scoop, 5/18/12

Overtime pay soars for state-run police at institutions for people with disabilities, California Watch, 5/18/12

Report: Denial of Social Security Benefits Perpetuates Homelessness, MarketWatch, 5/16/12

LATimes editorial supports tax increase due to cuts on people with disabilities and others, 5/15/12

Gov. Jerry Brown's plea to California voters: 'Please increase taxes temporarily', Boston Herald, 5/15/12

Brown Calls for Deeper Health Program Cuts in Revised Budget, California Healthline, 5/15/12

Calif. Lawmakers Reject Plan Curbing Nursing Home, Hospital Checks, California Healthline, 5/15/12

Governor's May Revision Threatens Low-Income Californians, State Budget Bulletin, 5/14/12

Patient's broken neck went unnoticed, Los Angeles Times, 5/13/12

California mental hospital police again seek ability to carry guns, Sacramento Bee, 5/12/12

The tattered safety net for the disabled, Washington Post, 5/12/12

Recreational program for disabled at risk from Sacramento budget cuts, Sacramento Bee, 5/10/12

Steve Gold: Community First Choice Regulations Published

Center for Independent Living celebrates grand opening of new store on Telegraph

In NY and CA, different approaches to patient abuse reform, abc7news.com, 5/9/12

Increase in students with disabilities coincides with decreased funding, Daily Sundial, 5/8/12

Former patients protest psychiatrist convention, Philly.com, 5/7/12

Disabled African-American students face frequent suspensions, HealthyCal.org, 5/7/12

Near Melrose, a national healthcare predicament plays out, LA Times, 5/7/12

People with Psychiatric Histories Gather, Call for Human Rights, Dignity in Mental Health, and Honesty in Medicine, National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery, 5/5/12

New name for PTSD could mean less stigma, Washington Post, 5/5/12

LAUSD Special Education Services Are Suffering, But Is It A Problem With The Records Or The Care? Huffington Post, 5/4/12

New video provides highlights of our activities

Check out our 5.5 minute video featuring an array of advocacy and legal services, training in disability rights and self-advocacy, investigations, outreach events and publications offered by Disability Rights California.

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 v alues 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 with a wide array of legal and advocacy expertise. They have developed innovative programs for Californians with developmental, psychiatric, sensory, learning 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.

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when you visit our offices or attend our trainings.