BACKGROUND

For people with disabilities, access to services is important to live safely in the community and lead full, productive lives. Public health emergencies are increasingly part of our world, and ensuring access to services is critical during these emergencies.

Disability Rights California (DRC) is committed to ensuring services and supports, and information about them, are available to people with disabilities regardless of income, race, language, immigration status, culture, religious/spiritual beliefs or irreligion, ethnicity, disability, health status, gender or gender identity, age, sexual orientation, location, or any other factor. DRC believes that no one should receive fewer or poorer services because of these factors. Services and supports should meet the needs of the individual and respect the individual’s culture. Information about the services and supports should be provided in plain language and in the language and format the person prefers. Documents should be translated and alternative communication services should be provided consistent with state law requirements so that individuals from ethnically diverse communities are provided with appropriate language access.

Principles

DRC will support legislative or policy actions that advance these principles and will oppose legislative or policy actions that weakens them.

1. Provision of Services and Supports
   All service providers, private agencies, schools, and governmental agencies serving people with disabilities must offer choices that accommodate those disabilities and provide services that are culturally and linguistically competent.
2. Information about Services and Supports
   Information about services and supports should be provided in clear and understandable language and at a reading level the recipient can understand, in the recipient’s language of choice, and in a format that is accessible to the recipient. This includes information about the intake or application process, and information about service and due process rights. Documents and information should be translated and alternative communication services provided consistent with state law to ensure that individuals from diverse communities receive necessary language access and culturally appropriate services.
3. Equity in Services
   People with disabilities, particularly people in the Black, Latino, Native American, Asian Pacific Islander, immigrant, and/or LGBTQIA2S+ communities encounter discrimination in accessing services at much higher rates. Departments, agencies, schools, and service providers must ensure equity and access to services and supports for people with disabilities from diverse cultural and language communities and take proactive steps to address systemic racism and service disparities.