The image above 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 this form. 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.

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.

Dori and Samantha, daughter and granddaughter of Margaret Johnson

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.

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 for clients.  We will keep you informed and invite you to check our website at www.disabilityrightsca.org for updates.

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

Internationally known through his books and conference keynotes as a first-rate disability historian and activist, Professor Paul Longmore died on August 9, 2010. He directed the Institute for Disability Studies at San Francisco State University, authored seminal texts in disability studies, and provided leadership at disability rights rallies in California and nationally. Paul spoke passionately on disability history for community celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act just two weeks ago.

“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.”

His polemic Why I Burned My Book (Temple University Press 2003), focused a public spotlight on how “Catch 22” Social Security Administration regulations deter many people with disabilities from working for a living. We will post an announcement about memorial services when we receive it.

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.

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.