Disability Rights California

In 2014, California took a giant step forward when it passed Proposition 47, a ballot measure that removed thousands of felonies from people’s records and reduced the jail and prison footprint across California. But now Proposition 47 is under attack. This November, law enforcement and the corporate retail lobby will be aggressively pushing Proposition 36, which seeks to unravel the progress made by Prop 47 by creating longer sentences and enhanced punishment for theft and drug-related offenses. Their proposal uses expensive band-aids such as “treatment-mandated felonies" for repeated drug possession and sends people to prison for shoplifting instead of investing in people who are simply fighting to survive. Proposition 36 is a step in the wrong direction for California. Disability Rights California and Civil Rights Corps oppose Proposition 36 and any legislative concessions that harm this state’s most vulnerable residents. Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/gD6cvtDD

Eric Harris, DRC’s Associate Executive Director of External Affairs was a featured speaker at a White House Disability Pride Month Convening this week! Eric joined other disability advocates for a conversation about the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability pride, and the shared commitment to build a nation where people with disabilities are afforded the opportunities, independence, and respect we deserve. During the conversation, Eric shared, “I decided to take my journey as a black disabled man to influence every space I was in, to lift up people with disabilities.” Watch the full convening: https://lnkd.in/gfXKvqVp 

Last month Governor Newsom and the Legislature reached an agreement for the California 2024-25 Budget. Disability Rights California applauds state leaders for retaining crucial programs used by people with disabilities while the state faces a $46.8 billion deficit. Read DRC’s budget summary: https://lnkd.in/gAJirYYM

Disability Rights California (DRC) and Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) are urging lawmakers to not pass laws against wearing masks during public protests. People with disabilities have the right to participate in the community safely during the ongoing pandemic. State and local governments are increasingly proposing mask bans as a response to public protest. Mask bans are laws that make it illegal for people to wear masks in public. These laws make it harder and even impossible for disabled people and their allies to access public spaces – including collective actions for the expression of constitutionally protected speech – without fear and harassment. They put disabled people and their family members at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Wearing a mask is not a crime. People who wish to wear a mask to protect themselves from infectious diseases at protests or anywhere else have the right to do so. Read the full statement: https://lnkd.in/gXnWEgiK

This week, after nearly eight years of heavy litigation, a federal judge ordered West Los Angeles College (WLAC) to restore an on-campus shuttle assistance service, so two disabled student plaintiffs will be able to access WLAC’s steep, hilly campus by the start of the Fall 2024 semester. The case was filed in 2016 on behalf of three students with mobility issues against WLAC, part of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). When WLAC abruptly stopped providing a longstanding on-campus shuttle service, the students struggled to access classes and services across the uneven terrain and long distances of the Culver City, California campus. Without the shuttle service, plaintiffs have experienced extreme hardship, humiliation and physical injuries as WLAC students. “Our clients asked LACCD to restore access to the WLAC campus for disabled people like them, and school officials told them that it would take a court order to bring the campus shuttle back,” said Autumn Elliott, Litigation Counsel at Disability Rights California. “I’m thrilled that these two students will finally get their access restored, and I look forward to the day when everyone with a disability has access to campus.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gFkGQUda

Save the date for Disability Rights California's third annual gala! Join us on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the beautiful Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Downtown Sacramento for an evening celebrating the power of the disability movement together. The evening will feature a special performance by Matt Maxey from DEAFinitely DOPE and music by DJ ELEMENTS. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

DRC’s Associate Executive Director of External Affairs Eric Harris will be a featured speaker at today’s White House Disability Pride Month Convening! Eric will join Biden-Harris Administration leaders and advocates for a conversation about the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability pride, and the shared commitment to build a nation where people with disabilities are afforded the opportunities, independence, and respect we deserve. Lead on! WHAT: White House Disability Pride Month Convening WHEN: Jul 29, 2024, 12:30 P.M. Pacific Time WHERE: Register in advance for this webinar: https://lnkd.in/gtSiNbfy ASL and CART will be provided. Access StreamText: https://lnkd.in/eACPxssz

Today, July 26, 2024, marks 34 years since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was signed into law to ensure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. We’ve come a long way since before the signing of the ADA, but DRC and the disability community continue to fight for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Today we celebrate this landmark bill and encourage everyone to reflect on what the ADA means to us and the community. https://lnkd.in/gVhEmFZH

You may be able to continue seeing your existing Medi-Cal health care providers even when your existing providers are not enrolled in your new managed care plan. This is called “continuity of care.” You have the right to continue getting the same care, meaning either the same provider or the same services, even though your Medi-Cal coverage has changed. Learn more in our self-advocacy resource here: https://lnkd.in/gcUSi9dw

Recently, members of Disability Rights California’s outreach team and Healthcare/HCBS practice group attended the California State University Northridge (CSUN) Assistive Technology Conference in Orange County. Through attending the conference, both groups were able to connect with members of the disability community and their support systems about DRC’s services. “Meeting people in-person helps them understand that many of our employees also have disabilities. We want to work together to impact their lives, and work alongside people, and empower people to be better self-advocates.” - Bhumit Shah, DRC Community Advocate Learn more in our story here: https://lnkd.in/g9R7mZbC