Walking hand in hand, woman and man with developmental disabilities participate in disability rights march

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Hot Topics in Disability News

DRC and other advocates attend San Gabriel city council meeting to discuss proposed group home

Following a demonstration earlier in January against a proposed group home, the January 17 meeting of the San Gabriel city council heard comments from 26 community members and advocates, including Disability Rights California. The proposed home for 4 adults with developmental disabilities is intended for current residents of the Lanterman Developmental Center who have decided they want to move to more integrated settings.

The DRC representatives drew attention to some "Myths and Realities" about supported housing. For example, although there are no studies showing that realty around supported housing loses value or that the surrounding neighborhood deteriorates in any way, these are commonly held beliefs. In this case, some of the individuals in opposition were considering the group home as a business being wrongly sited in a residential zone.

Speakers representing DRC, Area Board 10 and other disability advocates emphasized that the individuals who would be moving into the group home had the same rights as anyone else to live in any neighborhood they chose.

Read the materials DRC provided to the meeting and a newspaper report from the Pasadena Star News (1/19/12) of the meeting.

Video of the Week: Disability Access Tips for the Small Business

Here is a helpful little gem--spend 11 minutes and come away with solid information about the most common obstacles keeping people with disabilities from entering and using a small business. Helps business owners decide if they need a California Access Specialist (CASP) to advise about compliance with accessibility laws. Produced by Consumer Attorneys of California: www.caoc.com/CA/

Judge calls settlement of Adult Day Health Care case "fair, reasonable and win-win for both sides"

On January 24 Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong approved settlement of our lawsuit to preserve ADHC services for tens of thousands of Californians who need them to avoid being institutionalized. Read details of the settlement and about the new center-based services, similar to ADHC services, that the State will offer to those eligible.

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.

Judge grants preliminary injunction, stopping IHSS across-the-board cuts from going forward

Judge Wilken's courtroom was full, with row after row of diverse IHSS consumers, disability advocates, attorneys and law clerks, while outside in the rain approximately 75-100 more concerned individuals awaited the outcome.

Judge Wilken's courtroom was full, with row after row of diverse IHSS consumers, disability advocates, attorneys and law clerks, while outside in the rain approximately 75-100 more concerned individuals awaited the outcome.
Photo by UDW Homecare Providers Union

Judge Claudia Wilken today issued a preliminary injunction, barring the State of California from going forward with the 20% cuts in home care hours for hundreds of thousands of seniors and people with disabilities. She had previously issued a Temporary Restraining Order on December 1, stopping the cuts until yesterday’s hearing. Read the complete press release here.

Watch new 5 minute video, "Stand Up for Justice," to learn about harm caused by budget cutbacks to courts

Youth Ledership Forum FlyerGolden opportunity: California high school juniors and seniors with disabilities can apply to be part of 5-day Youth Leadership Forum, July in Sacramento

See application materials to apply by February 10 or go directly to www.dor.ca.gov/YLF

Dual Eligibles: read all about it

Enrollment process for dual eligibles: people eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. This is the topic of the January 12 roundtable, organized by California Healthline. Deborah Doctor, DRC legislative advocate, is one of 6 participants who contributed.

DRC legislative advocates summarize disability-related components of Governor's budget

DRC's legislative advocates prepared this quick summary of how the Governor's 2012-2013 budget, released on January 5, will negatively impact Californians with disabilities. In short, we are disappointed by the severe undercutting of the services and supports Californians with disabilities need to remain independent in the community.

New Year's Day Sacramento Bee features our op-ed,"Expand voluntary mental health services now"
in response to series promoting forced treatment

In December the Bee ran two articles and an editorial in support of Laura's Law (AB 1421), which would increase use of forced treatment of people who have mental health disabilities. Our response stresses the proven outcomes of voluntary programs and recommends their expansion.

Read our op-ed; the two articles by the Bee's Dan Morain and the Bee editorial published in December (12/18 and 12/11); and an op-ed published on January 1, by the parents of Laura Wilcox, for whom Laura's Law is named.

Fresno Jail prisoners sue over dangerous conditions, lack of basic care

On December 13, The Prison Law Office and Disability Rights California filed a class action lawsuit about dangerous conditions and lack of basic health care in the Fresno Jail. Read our press release and the complaint.

Help us reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental health disabilities

CMHS logoDisability Rights California (DRC) was awarded a 3-year grant by the California Mental Health Services Authority to address stigma and discrimination affecting people with mental health disabilities. The Advisory Group will help DRC develop strategies to reduce discrimination and implement project activities. Your participation on the Advisory Group will be a great opportunity to contribute your unique ideas and perspective to create positive change. Read the flyer to learn more and complete an application.

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.

Upcoming events

Webinar on Lobbying & Election Rules for 501(c)3's, January 27, 2012 1-3pm PT

The webinar is scheduled for Friday, January 27th from 1:00-3:00 pm PT. Please RSVP to Liana Molina at CRC at liana@calreinvest.org or Judy Hunter at RCAC at jhunter@rcac.org by Thursday, January 26th.

President's Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities Notice of Committee Meeting via Conference Call, February 1, 2012, 2:30pm EST

Access Board Webinar on Accessible Courthouses and Courtrooms, February 2, 2012, 2:30-4PM

Special Education Law Symposium: "Examining the IDEA in Theory & Practice", February 10, 2012, 8am-5pm

Recommended reading

Sterilized by North Carolina, she felt raped once more, Los Angeles Times, 1/25/12

Fair Housing Tip of the Month: Breaking a Lease as a Reasonable Accommodation, 1/26/12

Autism roundtable, Part I: Angry parents, disability rights, and living in a neurotypical world, Plos Blog, 1/25/12

The Battle Against IHSS Budget Cuts, San Diego Entertainer Magazine, 1/25/12

Community celebrates Ed Roberts Day, UC Berkeley, 1/24/12

Officials oppose extended federal oversight of 2 mental hospitals, Los Angeles Times, 1/24/12

People with Disabilities: Law Reform Needed, Human Rights Watch, 1/22/12

“Midnight High” was written and illustrated by former Monroe teenager Kylie Larkin. Courtesy photoFormer Monroe teen writes, illustrates book, Monroe News Star, 1/19/12

Jobs project for disabled treads new ground, ABC Online, 1/23/12

My So-Called Bipolar Life, NY Times, 1/17/12

Calif. Clinic Brings Free Dental Care to Developmentally Disabled, ABC News, 1/18/12

Court settlement makes more vets with PTSD eligible for health benefits, Sacramento Bee, 1/17/12

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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