March 5, 2023
There’s a larger-than-life photo of Judy Heumann in the rotunda of the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, California, where DREDF’s office is located. We have rolled or walked past her image thousands of times, but the photo never just blends into the background—like Judy, it always draws our attention.
Author: susan
DREDF’s Open Letter to CDC and Director Rochelle P. Walensky
January 9, 2022
Dear CDC and Director Walensky:
During an interview on Good Morning America on January 7, 2022, in response to a question about the encouraging findings from a study showing that severe COVID and death were rare among people who are fully vaccinated, you responded […]
DREDF Comments on Proposed Amendments to the California Building Code
May 26, 2020
People with disabilities and their families have faced a longstanding shortage of accessible and affordable housing in California. We know that people with disabilities often experience poverty, thus increasing the likelihood that we rely on affordable, accessible housing to thrive in our communities. […]
DREDF Comments Regarding Issues Addressed in a Bicameral, Bipartisan AV Bill
February 6, 2020
Nearly 1 in 5 people in the U.S. has a disability (more than 57 million). In 1990, Congress passed the bipartisan Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In enacting the ADA, Congress sought to “provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.” As a result, 99% of public buses are equipped with ramps, far more curb ramps benefit the public, and there is improved provision of accessible transit to people with sensory disabilities. Yet, significant barriers to accessible, affordable transportation remain across modes. […]
DREDF Submitted Comments to the USDOT AV Inclusive Design Challenge RFI
February 6, 2020
DREDF submitted comments in response to the USDOT AV Inclusive Design Challenge Request for Information. Ensuring access is easier, and cheaper in the long run, if it is integrated at the outset. Yet, news accounts of AV testing and deployment timelines often fail to mention accessibility. DREDF knows well that if access is not baked into technology, history will likely be repeated. Accessible vehicles will be needed, and retrofitting will be more expensive for providers in the long run. DREDF supported the design challenge, and encouraged USDOT to require applicants to engage with disability advisors and hire disabled professionals for their projects. DREDF recommended priority be given to fully inclusive vehicle designs. […]
DREDF Submitted Comments January 31 on Proposed SSA Rule to Increase Continuing Disability Reviews
February 4, 2020
DREDF submitted comments January 31 advocating against a proposed federal rule that would allow the Social Security Administration to increase how often many who are receiving Social Security disability benefits would have to undergo review for a continuing disability. Currently, people with disabilities have routine disability reviews or at set intervals to maintain their benefit eligibility. Under the proposed rule, SSA would review most people every two years. Not only is this review process extremely stressful and burdensome for people with disabilities, disability policy experts calculate that 2.6 million people, many of whom remain eligible, could be at risk of losing benefits with implementation of this new policy. The proposed rule would disproportionately harm adults nearing retirement age, children, people with serious behavioral health disabilities, and people who have cancer. DREDF urges SSA to withdraw this rule immediately. […]
Comments Concerning Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0
November 30, 2018
The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) is pleased to submit comments in response to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Office of the Secretary’s request regarding the recent guidance, Preparing for the Future, AV 3.0. DREDF recognizes Secretary Chao’s expressed commitment to ensuring improved mobility for disabled travelers. DREDF also commends the Office of the Secretary and all agency staff for the particular attention paid to AV accessibility for disabled passengers over the course of the year, their work with the US Department of Labor (USDOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), and their willingness to engage. AV 3.0 raises awareness, and calls on the industry and policymakers to prioritize accessibility. Additional and immediate measures must be taken to fulfill the promise of innovation and mobility for all.
DREDF Comments in Response to National Park Service Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Special Events and Demonstrations in the National Capital Region
October 17, 2018
DREDF submitted comments October 15, 2018 in response to National Park Service proposed rulemaking regarding special events and demonstrations in the National Capital Region. DREDF strongly opposed the rules which would restrict constitutional rights to free speech by limiting access to the White House sidewalk, assessing fees, and limiting rapid response actions.
DREDF Comment in Support of the Preservation of the Existing Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule
October 15, 2018
DREDF joined advocates across the country in filing comments to support the preservation of the existing Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule, finalized in 2015. The AFFH Rule is vital to ensure that all people, including people with disabilities, have fair and equal access to the affordable housing opportunities that we need.
Comments on Proposed Information Collection on 2020 Census
August 8, 2018
DREDF filed comments urging the Census Bureau, in the strongest possible terms, to remove the proposed citizenship status question from the 2020 Census form.