Join us for a virtual discussion

Join us for an important conversation about public safety from a disability justice perspective. DRC invites disabled individuals and their families to come together, share experiences, and envision safer, more inclusive communities for all. 

About the Event:

This event will center the voices of people with disabilities, highlighting the barriers faced in interactions with law enforcement and exploring non-carceral, community-based alternatives to policing. Through storytelling, community discussions, and collective vision-building, we will explore ways to ensure that disabled people can live, work, and move freely without fear of harm or discrimination. 

Event Goals: 

• Elevate the lived experiences of people with disabilities in conversations about public safety 
• Inform Disability Rights California’s work across investigations, litigation, policy development, and direct services 
• Build community power by centering disabled individuals as leaders and change-makers 
• Raise public awareness of the unique challenges disabled people face when interacting with law enforcement 

Disability and Law Enforcement Survey

Disability Rights California would like to understand the impact of law enforcement on the disability community. The goal of this survey is to gather valuable information that will help guide our initiatives, advocacy, and priorities moving forward. Your voice is crucial in shaping a more inclusive and accessible environment for all people with disabilities.

Your experience matters – Take part in our survey today

Our Facilitators 

Megan Buckles (she/her/hers), Public Policy Attorney

Megan's work focuses on public safety and accessibility issues. She was previously a Staff Attorney with the Civil Rights Practice Group at Disability Rights California (DRC), focusing on the intersectionality of race, poverty, and disability in education, housing, and the criminal legal system. She also previous served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Disability Justice Initiative at the Center for American Progress (CAP), where she advocated and advanced policy priorities related to the intersectionality of disability justice, racial justice, and economic mobility.

Prior to CAP, Megan was a Clients' Rights Advocate at DRC, where she advised and represented clients on a variety of matters including eligibility for public benefits, regional center services, and special education. 

Paula Sandoval (she/her), Supervising Investigator

Paula joined DRC in 2017 and the Investigations Unit in 2022. She is responsible for conducting complex and sensitive in-field investigations, inspection of facilities, reviewing records, and creating detailed case notes of findings and recommendations.

She has experience working with individuals receiving services from the CA Regional Center system, residents of Skilled Nursing Facilities and connecting community-based organizations to drive systemic change.

Wesley Witherspoon (he/him), Board Member at Disability Rights of California

Wesley Witherspoon was born in Los Angeles. As a native-born Angelino, he navigated the Special Education system. Non-verbal until the age of 4, Wesley have worked his way through school and other activities. Wesley was a star student when he was school. He was good in track and a very nice person.

Wesley won the award in Food class for mainstream class in high school, as a sophomore He received a AA degree from El Camino College and a BS degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He was a former direct service worker, former family member of a person with a disability as well. He currently works with the USC UCEDD for the last 19 years. He formerly served on the CA State Council of Developmental Disabilities for over 6 years, he served 4 years as the Council Chair of Developmental Disabilities. He was invited to see the White House in 2023 and 2024. Wesley currently serves on the Board of Directors at Disability Rights of California. He is also a member of Los Angeles County Regional Advisory Committee SCDD as of April 2025.