Disability Rights Advocates

Thank you so much to the Harlem Independent Living Center for recognizing Disability Rights Advocates with the Partnership Excellence Award on Wednesday night of this week. We are so grateful for the game-changing work that you do every single day! And it’s been an honor to work alongside you for more than a decade as we make the local NYC community more accessible when it comes to emergency preparedness planning, transportation, and more! [Image ID: Yonette Lewis, Yaw Appiadu, Rebecca Williford, Victoria Pilger, and Aileen Parker smiling in front of the step-and-repeat banner with the green and white HILC logo. Victoria holds DRA’s Partnership Excellence Award.]

We are thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of DRA’s Board of Directors: James Ian!   James is an award-winning singer, songwriter, actor, writer, and graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (“SMA”) Type 3, and is a passionate advocate for authentic representation of disabled artists in music, TV, film, and other media.   We asked James some questions about his connection with DRA and #DisabilityRights: https://lnkd.in/gjguH5ag   Here is a preview:   Question: Why did you decide to join DRA’s board of directors?   Answer: I went to law school to do this kind of work. To change laws and advocate for people with disabilities. Once I learned more about DRA’s mission, I felt that with my legal background and DRA’s mission, there was a really good fit. I felt I could leverage my legal skills and my network and my artistry to elevate DRA’s mission. My parents are very happy about me coming home to the legal profession!   Read the rest of the conversation: https://lnkd.in/gjguH5ag Image: James Ian singing into a microphone at DRA's 2023 Gala

Check out DRA's Fall newsletter for case updates, a conversation with new board member James Ian, and a major update about this year's Nationwide Gala on November 13: https://lnkd.in/gU5pz2sc Image: "DRA Fall 2024 Newsletter"

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! The theme for #NDEAM 2024 is “Access to Good Jobs for All.”   DRA has been fighting for the civil rights of workers with #disabilities for over 30 years. Most recently, DRA secured a settlement agreement that will completely overhaul how Los Angeles County evaluates interns and applicants for Children’s Social Worker employment, ending decades of discrimination against people with mental health disabilities.   With your support, DRA will continue to ensure workers with disabilities have #EqualAccess to employment nationwide. Image: "October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month" + DRA logo

What a beautiful day for the NYC Disability Pride Parade! It’s always energizing to spend time with so many phenomenal community members as we move our work forward in NYC! [Image ID: DRA team members Rebecca Williford, Victoria Pilger, and Aileen Parker at a table in Union Square Park with the DRA banner, at the festival following the parade.]

Thank you to the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library and The New York Public Library for two fun-filled days of disability community at the Accessible Community, Culture, and Technology Fair! And to the amazing Sasha Blair-Goldensohn for a spectacular keynote address! [Image ID 1: Rebecca Williford and Aileen Parker sitting at a table with the DRA banner at the Accessible Community, Culture, and Technology Fair. Image ID 2: Sasha Blair-Goldensohn giving a keynote address at the Fair in front of screen with his presentation that with an image of a cycle that reads Visibility leads to Awareness leads to Access leads to Visability, and so on.]

Earlier this week, DRA and partners announced a landmark class action settlement that protects #SanDiego residents who rely on their vehicles as their only form of shelter from unjust enforcement and fines, including people with #disabilities!   Check out coverage from The San Diego Union-Tribune: https://lnkd.in/gRhXqQAT   The settlement marks a significant victory for equitable treatment and support for this vulnerable population, while setting a groundbreaking precedent for addressing the needs of unhoused individuals in urban areas.   Partners include Disability Rights California, Rachel Dreher, The Law Firm of, Fish & Richardson P.C., Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, Law Office of Ann Menasche, Manfred, APC, and National Homelessness Law Center.   #DisabilityRights #CivilRights #HomelessNotHopeless

LEGAL VICTORY: DRA and partners have secured a landmark class action settlement that protects #SanDiego residents who rely on their vehicles as their only form of shelter from unjust enforcement and fines, including people with #disabilities! Press release: https://lnkd.in/gcRTXqh7 The settlement marks a significant victory for equitable treatment and support for this vulnerable population while setting a groundbreaking precedent for addressing the needs of unhoused individuals in urban areas. Partners include Disability Rights California, Rachel Dreher, The Law Firm of, Fish & Richardson P.C., Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, Law Office of Ann Menasche, Manfred, APC, and National Homelessness Law Center. #DisabilityRights #CivilRights #HomelessNotHopeless Image: "Press Release: Housing. Landmark Settlement Secured in Class Action Lawsuit Advocating for Unhoused Individuals in San Diego" + Two white RVs and a red car parked in a parking lot + DRA logo

Last week we announced that a settlement agreement had been reached with the City of #Berkeley that provides significant policy changes for people who require remote meeting attendance due to their #disabilities. Check out East Bay Times/The Mercury News coverage: https://lnkd.in/dX4bp8qM Under the settlement, board members and commissioners with disabilities will be able to attend meetings remotely. People with disabilities who require remote attendance will no longer be excluded from participation and will be able to safely serve as commissioners. #DisabilityRights #DisabilityInclusion #EqualAccess

Legal Victory: A settlement agreement has been reached with the City of #Berkeley that provides significant policy changes for people who require remote meeting attendance due to their #disabilities!   Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/gVV3JGf5   Under the settlement, board members and commissioners with disabilities will be able to attend meetings remotely. People with disabilities who require remote attendance will no longer be excluded from participation and will be able to safely serve as commissioners.   #DisabilityRights #DisabilityInclusion #EqualAccess Image: “Press Release: Workplace Accessibility, Settlement Agreement with City of Berkeley Improves Accessibility for City Commission and Board Members with Disabilities” + Person's hands using a laptop on a desk, the laptop screen is a meeting with multiple participants + DRA logo