Latest News
DRC's opposition to the California Department of Public Health's Updated Guidance on Ending Mask Requirements in Health Care Settings
Tomás J. Aragón, M.D., Dr. P.H.
Director and State Public Health Officer
California Department of Public Health
Mark Ghaly, M.D., M.P.H.
Secretary, California Health and Human Services Agency
Dear Dr. Aragón and Dr. Ghaly:
Disability Rights California Hosted our Inaugural Gala, Celebrating the Art of Disability Justice!
We hosted a historic evening gathering people from the disability community, policy, social justice leaders, and representatives from our state government.
The gala offered a chance to be in the same space, connecting through live music, art, and a shared mission to advance disability rights for all Californians. The evening put the “art” in Disability Justice through engaging live performances from members of the disability community at the beautiful Crocker Art Museum!
Disability Rights California is Saddened by the Loss of Disability Rights activist Judy Heumann
DRC is saddened by the loss of disability rights activist Judy Heumann who was considered the “mother of the disability rights movement” because of her longtime advocacy for the disability community.
Learn about AB 280 (Holden) California Mandela Act of Solitary Confinement
Solitary confinement is one of the most severe and destructive practices used in detention facilities. The World Health Organization, United Nations, and other international bodies have recognized solitary confinement as greatly harmful and potentially fatal. People with disabilities, pregnant people, youth, and the elderly are all at heightened risk from the harm caused by solitary confinement inside jails, prisons, and immigrant detention centers in California.
Candis Bowles Appointed to California Racial Equity Commission
Disability Rights California (DRC) is proud to announce that Candis Bowles, our Associate Director of the Legal Advocacy Unit (LAU), was recently appointed to serve on the California Racial Equity Commission.
The commission, established in 2022 under Governor Gavin Newsom, is tasked with producing a Racial Equity Framework of resources to promote racial equity and address structural racism.
2022 Legislative Awards
It takes a unique kind of lawmaker or staffer to champion laws that positively impact Californians with disabilities. That’s why DRC is proud to honor legislators and legislative staff who worked and advocated on behalf of persons with disabilities.
Each year, we hold an event to recognize selected legislators and staff for their outstanding legislative work toward advancing disability rights. The 2022 Legislative Awards ceremony was held in-person for the first time since 2019 at Fox and Goose Public House in Sacramento, CA.
Disability Rights California Welcomes Poet Alice McCullough to California!
Alice is a poet, visual artist, and filmmaker based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, who has lived experience with bipolar disorder.
Disability Rights California’s Summary of The Governor’s Proposed 2023-24 Budget
City of Seal Beach Upcoming Run-Off Election on 1/31
On January 31, 2023, the City of Seal Beach is holding a run-off election for the Councilmember seats for Districts 3 and 5. In addition to receiving a mail ballot automatically for this Election, voters will have two options for in-person voting:
Uplifting Voices, Demolishing Stigma
Finding a community of support is a valuable tool in navigating challenging systems. Knowing that you’re not alone, and that others have faced the same issues as you is invaluable towards overcoming obstacles.
What Matters to You: Disability Community Share Priorities at DRC’s Town Hall
When was the last time your state representative discussed disability rights? Or have you been in a room where disability activists shared about collective liberation? All these topics and more were covered at Disability Rights California’s virtual town hall.
Disability Rights California’s Voting Hotline Is a “Lifeline” for Voters with Disabilities
A quarter of all Californians have a disability,1 and it is estimated that close to four million of them are eligible to vote.
From Navigation to Transformation: Addressing Inequities in California’s Regional Center System Through Community-Led Solutions
This policy brief makes the case for community-led solutions to address longstanding racial and ethnic disparities in California’s regional center system and offers four key strategies to make the system more equitable for disabled people of color.
Settlement Reached to Ensure Adopted Children with Disabilities are Provided the Benefits Needed to Pay for their Care and Support
Sacramento County Must Act Now to Significantly Reduce Its Jail Population and to Meet Its Legal and Constitutional Duties in the Treatment of People with Disabilities
Clerk of the Board
700 H Street, Suite 2450
Sacramento, CA 95814
BoardClerk@saccounty.gov
Re: Sacramento County Must Act Now to Significantly Reduce Its Jail Population and to Meet Its Legal and Constitutional Duties in the Treatment of People with Disabilities
[For: Sacramento County Board of Supervisors 12/7 Meeting Agenda Item # 2 (Report on Population Reduction Efforts and Request for Direction on Steps to Address Jail Facility Deficiencies for Mays Consent Decree Compliance)]