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Hot Topics in Disability News

California Memorial ProjectSeptember 20: Day of Remembrance for Californians who died unrecognized in state institutions, hospitals

There will be ceremonies around the state and a statewide moment of silence to honor those who died unrecognized at State Hospitals and Developmental Centers. See the California Memorial Project flyer for event details.

Budget woes: Sen. Loni Hancock tours hardest hit services in her district

The governor's proposed budget cuts and the legislative budget impasse already are hurting real Californians with the most urgent needs, state Sen. Loni Hancock said Thursday.

Hancock, D-Berkeley, led a tour of her district to visit with some of those people -- social-service providers and recipients at the Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Berkeley, students and faculty at Berkeley City College, and child-care providers and parents at BANANAS Inc. in Oakland. Read the rest of the California Chronicle article here.

California students with disabilities invited to submit posters portraying "self-determination"

A poster contest for elementary, secondary and college students with disabilities has been announced by the Asia Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California (APIDC). The deadline for receipt of posters is October 1. The top 10 will be showcased at the APIDC statewide conference, taking place October 29-30 at the Westin Hotel in Long Beach. The conference will explore ways to surmount specific barriers faced by Asia Pacific Islanders with disabilities and how to ensure culturally competent service delivery. Details: Lauren Takeda, 626.396.9927 or lntakeda@earthlink.net. Details about the organization: www.apidisabilities.org.

2010 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Posters Available to Order

NDEAM 2010 Poster - Talent has no boundaries: Workforce diversity includes people with disabilities with art that says Art and poetry created by Laura Hershey, who has spinal muscular atrophy www.dol.gov/odep
The printed version of the 2010 NDEAM poster is available to order online in English and Spanish. The art and poetry is by well-known disability advocate and writer, Laura Hershey of Denver.

For the first time, the posters are also available as downloadable versions in six additional languages: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French, and two Native American languages: Navajo, Lakota.

Information about the poster and ordering is now available.
Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin, early voice of people with autism, on stage for Emmy awards for TV movie about her life

Temple Grandin, diagnosed with autism in the 1950s, took center stage at last night's Emmy Awards to join in the celebration of her lifestory as an HBO movie made for television. Claire Danes, the actor, as well as the director and producers who won awards for the realistic film, were visibly moved by and commented on the experience of working with Grandin to make their portrayal accurate. Best known for her work to make treatment of livestock more humane, Temple Grandin earned a Ph.D. in animal science. She has struggled all her life to explain her disability in ways the public can understand --"I think in pictures"--and to create more opportunities for people with autism. Last night, she got her close-up and it was rewarding to see her finally celebrating the moment as first among equals. Read about it on the Daily Beast.

enewsletter exampleenewsletter launched by Disability Rights California

The image to the right is the premier copy of the weekly enewsletter produced by Disability Rights California. It will feature news items and recommended publications and videos. To subscribe, complete the form on the left or click here. Subscribing to this weekly service means that you will no longer have to check our homepage for news. It will be sent directly to you once a week.

Poster and flyers create awareness about moving
from institutions into the community

CPF poster with description belowDisability Rights California is helping to create awareness about opportunities to move out of institutions into community-based housing throughout the state. As part of the settlement agreement of the Capitol People First (CPF) case, we have produced a poster (above) that asks the question, "Is community living right for you?" Created for display at residential institutions, the poster illustrates some everyday choices available through community living, such as riding a bus, spending time shopping, or at a library or watching television. The poster was designed by Hizuru Cruz in collaboration with the CPF legal and advocacy team. The Department of Developmental Services and the regional centers are helping to distribute the posters widely.

As part of the settlement in the Laguna Honda Hospital case (Chambers et al v. the City and County of San Francisco) support groups are being formed to help residents decide if they want to move into the community or groups who want to talk about how they did it and how they can support others who want to leave nursing homes. See sample flyer1 and flyer2. The settlement included support from the City and County of San Francisco for rental subsidies for 500 eligible class members, in other words, those covered by the lawsuit.

Governor signs bill to strengthen custody and visitation rights of parents with disabilities

Dori and Samantha, daughter and granddaughter of Margaret Johnson
Dori and Samantha, daughter and granddaughter of Margaret Johnson, who has a disability

On August 23, the Governor signed a bill (SB 1188) to change family court law so that, in general, the disability of a parent no longer limits custody and visitation rights concerning his or her children. The law, which goes into effect on January 1, was sponsored by advocacy groups including Fathers and Families, and Disability Rights California.

Read an op-ed article by Glenn Sacks and Margaret Johnson about why the law is important for California or our press release.

State can't exclude all felons as IHSS providers

Following is the latest story from the San Francisco Chronicle on the ongoing court battle about whether the Schwarzenegger Administration can keep all convincted felons from serving as providers in the In Home Supportive Services program. So far, the courts have supported advocates who want to exclude those who have committed specific felonies such as elder or child abuse or fraud against state systems.

"Despite a court setback, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to move next week to bar anyone ever convicted of a felony, or a list of misdemeanors that includes shoplifting, from providing in-home care in a program that serves 430,000 low-income and Californians with disabilities." Read the rest of the SFGate article here.

Obituary: Dr. Paul Longmore, 64, venerated historian, author and disability rights activist

Paul Longmore“Paul was one of the most engaging and wide-ranging speakers on disability policy throughout American history and we were honored to work with him and have him present at our staff trainings,” said Catherine Blakemore, executive director of Disability Rights California. Staff attorney Stephen Rosenbaum noted: “I once heard Paul introduced as the ‘James Dean’ of Disability Studies – that captures the combination of intellectual, rebel and down-to-earth man he was.” Margaret Johnson, advocacy director, recalled: “In addition to his contributions to the disability civil rights movement, he taught me academic and disability history lessons and – he had the best sense of humor.”

Read more about Professor Paul Longmore on NPR.

Ceremony to celebrate Paul Longmore's life

Save the date: there will be a celebration of Paul's life on October 23, 2010 at 2:00PM. The celebration will be held at SF State with a reception following the ceremony. The address is San Francisco State University, The Seven Hills Conference Center, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco CA 94132.

Social Security agency forced to restore funds to thousands cut off illegally as "fleeing felons"

Read the New America Media article.

"Laura's Law" proposal for forced treatment withdrawn from San Francisco Board of Supervisors

On August 3, after the city's public health director spoke against it, Michela Alioto-Pier withdrew her proposal to implement "Laura's Law" in the county of San Francisco. The proposal would have authorized the city's chief of mental health to order people with severe mental illness into outpatient treatment. Dr. Mitch Katz, public health director, noted that the measure would restrict rights while not necessarily providing effective treatment, and at least one city supervisor noted unresolved cost issues. Read the August 4 Chronicle article.

On August 2, Dan Brzovic, associate managing attorney of Disability Rights California, submitted a letter to the editor of the Chronicle. The letter outlines various problems with "Laura's Law" as identified by a group of advocacy organizations known as the Cares Coalition and can be read here.

Update: what’s going on with outpatient mental health services in Sacramento County since the Court issued an injunction?

The Federal Court Order

A federal Judge has stopped the County of Sacramento from moving forward with its plan to replace the four Regional Support Teams (RSTs) that now provide outpatient mental health services to roughly 4000 consumers in Sacramento County.  The County planned to begin closing the Regional Support Teams on August 1, 2010.  However, U.S. District Court Judge John Mendez ordered the County not to close the RSTs and replace them with County clinics until the County can show the Court that it will provide outpatient treatment in the most integrated setting. An integrated setting helps mental health clients to avoid being hospitalized or placed in psychiatric institutions.

What the order means for mental health clients in Sacramento County

If you receive services at a Regional Support Team, TCORE or the Wellness and Recovery Center, you will continue to get these services from the same provider after August 1, 2010.  Please ignore any notice from the County that tells you to go to one of the new County-operated “Wellness Centers.”  If you need outpatient mental health services and are not yet receiving services, you can contact Sacramento County’s Adult Access Team at (916) 875-1055, Toll Free (888) 881-4881 or TTY/TDD (916) 874-8070.

If you are a Sacramento County resident and you have problems accessing County mental health services or if you have questions about the lawsuit, you can contact the Sacramento Regional Office of Disability Rights California at 1-800-776-5746.

Next Steps

Now that Judge Mendez has made it clear that the County’s plan is illegal, we will be working with the County to ensure that any proposal to change the outpatient mental health system in Sacramento County will not disrupt mental health services clients.  We will keep you informed and invite you to check our website at www.disabilityrightsca.org for updates.

Read case background, including the legal documents and press coverage at www.disabilityrightsca.org/advocacy/Napper.

Events

Me-Wuk Indian Acorn Festival, September 11 9am-8pm in Toulumne Rancheria, CA

This event is in English and Spanish. For more information, contact Lisa Navarro at (559) 476-2000.

Santa Rosa Rancheria Parent Summit Special Ed Training, September 17, 5:30-7:30pm in Santa Rosa Rancheria, CA

This event is in English and Spanish. For more information, contact Lisa Navarro at (559) 476-2000.

Training on Special Education Issues, Family Resource Center September 18 in Monterey, CA

Family Resource Center is located at 1900 Garden Rd., Suite 230, Monterey, CA 93940. Call Yesenia Roman for more information at (510) 267-1200.

Alternatives 2010, September 29 to October 3 in Anaheim, CA

This is a national mental health conference organized by and for mental health consumers and survivors. More info at: www.power2u.org/alternatives2010/.

Find hundreds of events, trainings and conferences on our Meetings & Trainings pages, in English ... y también varios eventos, reuniones y entrenamientos en español

Recommended viewing

For Once in my Life: SXSW 2010 Accepted Film

Recommended reading

Sac State receives grant for students with disabilities, State Hornet, 9/8/10

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) introduces Web Advocate, 9/8/10

Facebook, social networks opening doors for people with disabilities, DisabilityScoop, 9/7/10

Defendants with mental health disabilities stuck in jail, SF Daily Journal, 9/7/10

Greene: Former Jerry's kid sees telethon as an insult to people with muscular dystrophy, Denver Post, 9/7/10

Class action by disabled employees against the Social Security Administration will go forward, Sacramento Bee, 8/31/10

Pueblo mental health institute bars restraint technique after patient's death, Denver Post, 9/2/10

Child’s ordeal shows risks of psychosis drugs for young, New York Times, 9/1/10

Can preschoolers be depressed? New York Times, 8/29/10

No autism-vaccine link, court finds, disabilityscoop, 8/30/10

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 and Board members 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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