[Nfbc-info] Disability Rights of California needs your help

[Lisa Irving]

Your input is needed by Disability Rights California (DRC)!

 

Disability Rights California, California's Protection and Advocacy system,
is a nonprofit agency that advocates, educates, investigates, and litigates
to advance and protect the rights of Californians with disabilities.  We
envision a barrier-free, inclusive, diverse world that values each
individual and their voice. In this world, all people with disabilities
enjoy the power of equal rights and opportunities, dignity, choice,
independence and freedom from abuse, neglect, and discrimination.

 

In order to ensure all voices are heard, I am directly reaching out to the
sight-impaired community of California to seek input on the priorities DRC
sets for the next fiscal year.  Please review the following list of
priorities and then create your own list of three things you feel DRC should
prioritize.  Your priorities can come from those described below or be based
on your own knowledge and experience.  

 

Then, by June 15, 2014, please email that list of three items to 

 

jrestle at gmail.com

 

 

If you wish more information on DRC's current goals and objectives, please
see our 2013-2014 Advocacy Services Plan, at 

 

http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/connect/AdvocacyPlan/AdvocacyPlan20132017F
Y14Objectives.htm.   

 

Again, by June 15, please email your three items, which can be from DRC's
list or of your own creation.  They will be reviewed by a DRC board member
and be used as the foundation of an informed discussion as we move
forwarding determining DRC's focus in the next year.  

 

Thank you for your time and input.  

 

Best,

Jennifer Restle

Board, Disability Rights California 

 

 

 

  Abuse and Neglect

* Reduce abuse, neglect, and criminal victimization 

* Improve response by law enforcement

* Make programs, facilities, and institutions safer 

*Make sure programs, facilities, and institutions respect the rights of
people with disabilities, including their right to refuse treatment

 

Discrimination

* Improve technology in public places, businesses, and government programs

* Better access to public transportation, streets, and sidewalks

* Protect the rights of people in county jails

* Make sure information is available in native language of people served 

* Provide services to ethnically diverse communities

 

Employment

* Help people to get real jobs earning real wages

* Make sure employers don't discriminate against employees with disabilities


* Improve accessibility in the workplace 

*Help people get Department of Rehabilitation services

* Help people who get Social Security Benefits return to work 

 

Housing 

* More accessible, affordable housing 

* Increase types of housing available

* Make sure licensing rules don't limit housing available in the community

* Fight housing discrimination 

 

Living in the Community: Health Care and Long-Term Services 

* Make sure people with physical and sensory disabilities can live in the
community

* Improve access to affordable health care in the community

* Help people with disabilities to get access to community-based health
care, like in-home support

* Make sure Medi-Cal managed care plans give people the right services

 

Living in the Community: Lanterman Act Services

* Get people with developmental disabilities out of institutions

* Help people with developmental disabilities living in community to remain
there with the right supports and services

 

Mental Health

* Improve the quality of life for people with psychiatric disabilities in
institutions

* Improve access to affordable mental health care in the community 

* Make sure there are equal benefits for health and mental health through
private insurance coverage

* Make sure the rights of people with psychiatric disabilities are addressed
regarding forced treatment

 

Voting

* Make sure voting places or systems are accessible

* Host an election hotline

 

Youth

* Make sure children and youth with disabilities get coordinated services
from schools, mental health agencies, and regional centers

* Help young adults transition from school to employment or higher ed

* Make sure students have access to education in the least restrictive
setting

* Reduce the use of restraint and seclusion in schools

* Help schools positively address disability-related challenging behaviors