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DCAD 2011

Disability Capitol Action Day draws crowd in spite of chilling rain

Images from Capitol Action Day: woman standing with a sign written in Chinese, woman with a sign that says disaboed and proud, man dancing

From around the state, advocates and allies streamed into Sacramento on the morning of May 25 to take part in California’s largest annual event, to present a unified “disability voice” to the legislature. This year, the focus was the importance of holding the line at the disability related budget cuts already proposed and rejecting deeper ones. At least 1200 people pre-registered for Disability Capitol Action Day (DCAD) and more showed up for the morning march and afternoon rally. Several legislators addressed the awareness raising rally in front of the Capitol, outlining priorities for action and assuring participants that the roar of their voices could be heard inside where budget hearings were taking place.

The event is organized by the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) and Disability Rights California (DRC) is one of the main supporters. One of DRC’s intrepid photographers, Merle Levy, took these pictures showing support signs in Japanese and English, and one of the dancers who, along with the band, kept participants entertained during breaks. DRC legislative advocates who took part were Deborah Doctor, who helped organize the rally program and Brandon Tartaglia, helped organize visits to legislators; and DRC outreach staff gave away tables full of publications and talked with visitors in search of help with a disability issue.