Impact of California budget cuts on people with disabilities

- Disability Rights California budget analyses -
- Analyses by other organizations -
- News items - Announcements of meetings about budget cuts -

Disability Rights California needs to hear from you!

Disability Rights California, California’s Protection and Advocacy system, is developing its Advocacy Plan. This Plan shows the priorities and activities that we will work on during the next year. We would like you to tell us what is important to you. Please take a few minutes and complete our survey. Click HERE to begin.

State justices to examine disability damages

Small businesses are urging the California Supreme Court to reduce the amount of damages available for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a move they say will cut the number of greedy plaintiffs using the law for personal gain. But advocates for people with disabilities say the threat of substantial penalties is crucial in getting businesses to improve access.

"What we have is massive violations of the ADA and we need every tool we can get," said Ann Menasche of Disability Rights California. Read more here about why we need substancial penalties to convince business to provide access for everyone ...

Abusive restraint and seclusion tactics widespread, says report

In more than 70 percent of cases where abusive interventions were used with children with disabilities at school, parents did not consent to seclusion and restraint tactics, according to a report released this week by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). The report is based on a national survey by the group of parents, advocates and attorneys who advocate for appropriate educational services for those with disabilities. Learn more here about current seclusion and restraint practices in schools ... and read the complete COPAA report here ...

Social Security settles lawsuit, agrees that effective April 1 it will no longer deny or stop benefits because of an outstanding warrant in most cases

Social Security law says that to deny or stop benefits because of an outstanding felony warrant, it must be determined that the person is "fleeing" to avoid prosecution or confinement. Disability Rights California joined other organizations in Martinez v. Astrue, a class action challenging SSA's policy of refusing benefits on the basis of a warrant, without checking if the person was also "fleeing." SSA has now agreed to provide back benefits to some who were denied or lost benefits due to the incorrect policy.
* Learn more about the settlement and what you can do to help those hurt by Social Security’s illegal policy ...
* Social Security policy instruction #EM-09024, 3/31/09 - Suspension of Representative Payee/Fugitive Felon Match Process ...
* Social Security policy instruction #EM-09025, 4/1/09- Fugitive Felon: Stop Suspension or Denial of Individuals with Felony Warrants Affected by the Martinez Settlement ...
* Keep checking this website for updates on the settlement.

Events

Don't miss Disability Capitol Action Day - May 27, 10:00 to 3:00

Celebrating Community & Pride - on the west steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento. Activities will include an educational rally, march, resource fair, legislative visits and more! Click here for more information and a 2009 Disability Capitol Action Day flyer ...

Find hundreds more events, trainings and conferences on our Meetings & Trainings pages.

Recommended viewing

“Sight Unseen” photographs at the California Museum of Photography. Photo by Kurt Weston, "Peering Through the Darkness." Weston is one of twelve artists whose work is presented in the show, Time Magazine, 5/13/09

Recommended reading

Protesters of Campbell's Psycho Donut shop focus on mental health issues in demonstration, San Jose Mercury News, 5/11/09.
Letters from the mental health community: OP-ED piece Psycho Donuts, 4/29/09; Emerging issue of stigma and discrimination against people with mental health disabilities, 4/9/09.

A San Jose special education program has been honored with international recognition, PR Newswire, 5/12/09

Accessible Air Travel - New with updated regulations, United Spinal Association, 5/11/09

Groups campaign to stop use of 'retard' as insult, The Sacramento Bee, 5/11/09

Alzheimer's: A Baby Boomer epidemic, Huffington Post, 5/8/09

California's regional centers see big jump in clients with autism, California Healthline, 5/7/09

The Susan Boyle story: If only she could freeze-frame this moment, New York Daily News, 5/4/09