Navigating the Regional Center Fair Hearing Process
Navigating the Regional Center Fair Hearing Process
Join us for a live webinar
This webinar is part of a monthly series hosted by the Advocacy and Community Engagement (ACE) Team. The series explores a wide range of topics, from tools to support school-aged children with disabilities to resources that help adults navigate employment and public benefits. Each session is guided by direct feedback from community partners, ensuring the webinars address the issues they consider most important.
Disclaimer: The following presentation is meant for education only and does not constitute legal advice nor counsel. Your situation may be unique and require careful attention.
Keep in mind that the information in these slides could become out of date, as the laws and local practices relating to these matters are constantly developing.
Note: We may cancel or reschedule workshops based on enrollment levels. We may adjust dates and times to accommodate participant availability and ensure optimal group dynamics.
When:
Thursday, May 21, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Pacific Time
This event will also be offered in Spanish on May 19, 2026.
Click here to register for the Spanish event.
About the webinar:
Navigating the Regional Center Fair Hearing Process
This training will help you understand your right to appeal decisions made by your Regional Center—especially if you’ve been denied services, had services reduced, or were found ineligible. The Fair Hearing process is how you can formally challenge those decisions. While the system can feel confusing and overwhelming, this training will break it down step by step.
What you’ll learn in this training:
- What a Fair Hearing is and when you can request one;
- The difference between a Notice of Action (NOA) and a Notice of Proposed Action (NOPA);
- How to file an appeal and what forms to use;
- What to expect during the hearing process;
- Your legal rights and how to prepare; and
- Where to get advocacy support and resources.
Speakers:
Maria Iriarte is a Senior Attorney for Disability Rights California, Her expertise is in the area of public benefits. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University Long Beach and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School.
Daniel Hernandez (he/him/his) is an attorney with the non-profit organization Disability Rights California (DRC), which provides legal assistance to people with disabilities in California. He has been part of the organization since 2022 and is based in San Diego, California. In his role serving people with disabilities across the state, Daniel conducts outreach, develops legal clinics, and engages in direct client services. He is a generalist with legal experience in the following areas: healthcare and related programs; social security; special education; housing; and civil rights.