Disability Rights Fund’s Post

On April 3rd, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs-respondents in the upcoming landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Johnson v Grants Pass. Twenty-three disability rights organizations and scholars, including WID, signed on to the amicus brief, which was written with the help of pro bono partners from the international law firm O’Melveny & Myers. Johnson v. Grants Pass is the most important case regarding homelessness in the past 40 years. It will address the critical issue of whether laws punishing homeless individuals for sleeping outdoors with basic protections such as a pillow or blanket – when no safe and accessible shelter options are available – are violations of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court will hear argument in the case on April 22, 2024. DREDF's brief discussed how unique challenges and deep-rooted stigmas present people with disabilities with persistent challenges in accessing and navigating foundational systems for basic survival and place disabled people at increased risk of homelessness. The brief also discussed how grossly disproportionate the impact municipal prohibitions on sleeping in public spaces are on people with disabilities, and the significant harm criminalization based on housing status causes disabled people.

NEW on the Disability & Philanthropy Forum: our latest fact sheet highlights why funders must incorporate disability into their grantmaking if they are committed to furthering a thriving, just, equitable society. This is especially key to consider as we move into 2024. Image description: Text reads "Why Fund Disability Rights and Disability Justice? What Funders Need to Know." This text is printed on a green and blue billboard in front of city buildings. Below the image, text reads "Check out our fact sheet!"

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Philanthropy must shift the paradigm of a lack of funding for disability, because every social justice issue is a disability issue. Check out our fact sheet for more insights on how funders can move communities toward equity for disabled people. Image description: Text reads "Why Fund Disability Rights and Disability Justice? What Funders Need to Know." This text is printed on a green and blue billboard in front of city buildings. Below the image, text reads "Check out our fact sheet!"

The Importance of Authentic Advocacy: Why Genuine Understanding Matters in Disability Rights Advocacy Dear LinkedIn Community, In our collective efforts to advocate for disability rights, authenticity and genuine understanding are paramount. While technology offers incredible tools for communication, relying solely on AI-generated content without firsthand knowledge or expertise can inadvertently perpetuate misconceptions and undermine our advocacy efforts. Here's why: 1. **Lack of Context and Sensitivity**: AI lacks the nuanced understanding and empathy necessary to address the complex issues faced by individuals with disabilities. Without genuine insight into their experiences, AI-generated content runs the risk of oversimplifying or misrepresenting their challenges, hindering rather than advancing our advocacy goals. 2. **Misinformation and Stereotyping**: Inaccurate or uninformed portrayals of disability perpetuated by AI-generated content can reinforce harmful stereotypes and misconceptions. Without genuine understanding, there's a danger of unintentionally spreading misinformation or overlooking the diverse perspectives within the disability community. 3. **Loss of Authentic Connection**: Authenticity fosters genuine connections and trust within the disability community and beyond. When advocating for disability rights, it's essential to engage authentically with lived experiences, challenges, and triumphs. AI-generated content, devoid of personal insight and empathy, lacks the ability to forge meaningful connections or convey genuine solidarity. 4. **Ethical Considerations**: As advocates, we have a responsibility to ensure that our messaging is accurate, respectful, and inclusive. Relying solely on AI-generated content without the necessary expertise or sensitivity raises ethical concerns about representation, dignity, and the amplification of marginalized voices. In conclusion, while technology can augment our advocacy efforts, it must be wielded responsibly and complemented by genuine understanding and empathy. Let's prioritize authentic engagement, meaningful dialogue, and firsthand knowledge in our advocacy for disability rights, ensuring that our voices resonate with authenticity and respect. #DisabilityRights #AuthenticAdvocacy #InclusiveCommunication #EthicalRepresentation #AIinAdvocacy #EmpathyAndUnderstanding

A powerful, well-written story about the progress made by the disability rights movement globally.: "Much of the historical progress has come from local communities and organizations made of people whose loved ones had a disability. Today, advocacy communities made of these allies still influence larger policy changes. For example, in Canada, local advocates and their communities have called for international accountability when their provincial governments instate unequal pension policies and have continued pushing for specific changes to improve accessible infrastructure. This is only a small example of how years of advocacy have achieved tangible changes in how society operates to improve the lives of people with disabilities. " https://ow.ly/iiwy50ReswP movement, moving from inclusion towards leadership.

Housing Professionals Take Note -- For those who regularly assist clients with housing needs, and in particular those with disabilities, this will be a very educational Zoom webinar that you can attend from the convenience of your desk. #fairhousing #disabilityrights

How well do you know the history of the disability rights movement? In the United States, July 26 is recognized annually as National Disability Independence Day, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990. The landmark legislation has served as a de facto bill of rights for Americans with disabilities by assuring their access to economic and civic opportunities. Its passage represented an unprecedented bipartisan effort to acknowledge the centuries of discrimination suffered by the disability community, and a fundamental change to how they live their lives. The story of the ADA remains a significant chapter in U.S. history and the ongoing struggle for disability rights. On the 34th anniversary of this important civil rights law’s passage, let’s take a closer look at its origins and how it has changed the lives of so many for the better. #a11y #Accessibility #ADA #DigitalInclusion

Today, the Australian federal government has released its response to the disability royal commission, ten months after the final report was published. Having had time for a preliminary look with David Belcher, Kristy-Lee Trajcevski, Jamie Sonneveld for Community Disability Alliance - CDAH, here is an short overview of our discussions. Heartfelt thanks to people with a disability, families, carers, and allies for bravely sharing their stories. Immense courage was shown in submitting these stories. Gratitude to the commissioners for their time and consideration in delivering the 222 recommendations. Disappointingly, only a small number of recommendations have been accepted so far. More collaboration between state and federal governments is crucial. Clarity is needed, especially in foundational support, before firm responses are provided to shared issues between federal and state agencies. Despite highlights such as significant funding for disability advocacy, there seems to be a lack of commitment in critical areas like group homes, segregated education, and supported employment. Health issues impacting people with disabilities still remain inadequately addressed. The absence of a dedicated ministerial portfolio for disabilities, like those for Aboriginal Affairs and Aged Care, is disappointing. This marks the beginning of ongoing efforts. CDAH will collaborate with disabled peoples organisations, advocates, and community supporters to ensure decision-makers are held accountable and to drive action on other crucial reforms recommended in the DRC findings.

July is Disability Pride Month! ✨ Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to honor the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, 1990. 💫 This month aims to promote visibility and mainstream awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities. ✨ 🌱 At Mockingbird, we believe that discriminating against people with disabilities is a way to make individuals invisible, reducing their worth to mere productivity—a harmful function of capitalism. We also stand firmly against mask bans, which are a form of fascist oppression that endangers lives and limits accessibility. 🗓 This month, we're taking concrete steps to be better allies: 🌟Learning: We're educating ourselves about the different types of disabilities and how they impact people's lives. This month we are reading "Some of us Just Fall" by Polly Atkin, "How We Break" by Vicent Deary, and "The Lady's Handcook for Her Misterious Illness" by Sarah Ramey 🌟Talking: We’re engaging in open conversations about disabilities to break down stigmas. 🌟Promoting: We are highligthing and sharing the work of organizations support this work. @crps_warriors_foundation, @rplassociation, @huntersheartfoundation. 🌟Educating: We're ensuring our team is well-informed and equipped to support and advocate for disability rights. ➡ Join us in celebrating Disability Pride Month by learning, advocating, and promoting inclusivity. Together, we can create a world where everyone is valued and respected. 💪🌟 #DisabilityPrideMonth #InclusionMatters #Advocacy #MockingbirdIncubator #DisabilityAwareness #NonprofitLife #Allyship