One in five adults in the United States are unpaid family caregivers handling responsibilities ranging from grocery shopping to helping loved ones perform daily functions.

For 45 years and counting, Disability Rights California (DRC) has been advocating for and protecting the rights of all Californians with disabilities.

(Alameda County, CA) - Disability Rights California (DRC), the County of Alameda, California, and the United States Department of Justice have entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement addressing the provision of community-based behavioral health services in the County. The settlement strengthens and expands services available to people with serious mental health disabilities with the goal of preventing unnecessary psychiatric institutionalization and incarceration. 

Debra Roth
Senior Legislative Advocate, Disability Rights California
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California has seen a marked decline in the percentage of state employees with disabilities in recent years. According to the California Department of Human Resources website, the employment rate of disabled workers in the California state government dropped from 14.7% in December of 2017 to 8.8% in June of 2023 — a 40% decrease. Most of that decrease occurred during the administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

(Riverside, CA) - On October 13, 2023, Federal Court Judge Jesus Bernal ruled against Defendant Moreno Valley Unified School District (MVUSD), finding the district’s campus security program violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This ruling is significant as it holds MVUSD accountable for its systemic discrimination against the over 4,000 students with disabilities in its care. The ruling affirms that MVUSD’s school police must comply with federal law and cannot discriminate against students with disabilities.

Disability Rights California is deeply troubled that Governor Newsom signed sweeping and regressive mental health legislation that takes California back 50 years in helping people with mental illness and substance use disorders.

(Sacramento, CA) - Disability Rights California (DRC) is thrilled to announce that Governor Newsom has signed AB 545 (Pellerin) into law. This legislation brings improvements to voting accessibility, with a particular focus on curbside voting, taking an important step towards ensuring that all Californians have the opportunity to participate equally in our democracy.

Disability Rights California (DRC) is greatly disappointed by Governor Newsom’s signing of SB 43 (Eggman), which expands criteria for involuntarily confining people with disabilities. We’re further disturbed that the Governor signed this regressive legislation on World Mental Health Day.

(Sacramento, CA) – Disability Rights California (DRC) is pleased Governor Newsom signed AB 1418 (McKinnor) yesterday, limiting local “crime-free” housing programs and nuisance ordinances, which typically include harmful provisions such as requiring landlords to evict tenants for alleged criminal activity. These housing ordinances are intentionally discriminatory against tenants with disabilities and tenants of color, and in some cases allow for evictions if a tenant or a tenant’s family has had an interaction with law enforcement.

SB 43 expands the definition of “grave disability,” making it much easier to involuntarily commit people to locked facilities for behavioral health reasons.

Disability Rights California is excited to invite you to our second Annual Gala on February 28, 2024. Your sponsorship will help grow the impact of one of the largest disability rights organizations in the country, working to advance the rights and opportunities of all Californians with disabilities.

DRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 94-2505916).

In this, the 50th anniversary year of the landmark federal civil rights law for people with disabilities, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, we applaud the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra’s decision to update and strengthen the law’s healthcare-related regulations. Section 504 of the Rehab Act is a cornerstone of disability rights law, prohibiting disability discrimination by federal agencies and recipients of federal funding and providing the framework for The Americans with Disabilities Act.

(Sacramento, CA) – Disability Rights California (DRC) and Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) have released a report, “Youth in Crisis: How Kings County Locks Up Youth With Disabilities.” This report outlines findings from a multi-year investigation of the conditions at the Kings County Juvenile Center. DRC and DRA call on Kings County to reform the horrific conditions and needlessly punitive practices at the detention center. 

(Sacramento, CA) - In a report released today, “Restraint and Seclusion in California Schools: Findings and Recommendations from the 2021-22 School Year Data,” Disability Rights California (DRC) calls on California to enact greater protections for students against prone, or facedown, restraint and other dangerous techniques used in schools.