As National Disability Employment Awareness Month concludes, a new coalition of disability-led organizations across the state identifies policy gaps and demands a disability-inclusive future.
Media Contacts:
Eric Harris, Associate Executive Director of External Affairs, Disability Rights California (916) 504-5940, Eric.Harris@disabilityrightsca.org
Tina Pinedo, Communications Director, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, (510) 225-7726, media@dredf.org
Russell Rawlings, Community Organizing Manager, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, (916) 291-9488, russell@cfilc.org
For Immediate Release
October 29, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the newly formed California Disability Leadership Alliance (The Alliance) published its first report: State of the State: California Disability Policy in 2024. The Alliance is comprised of disability and Deaf leaders from disability-led organizations. The goal of the Alliance is to build cross-disability collaboration, solidarity, and political power to influence and improve policies for disabled people in California. The State of the State report identifies the many policy areas in which lawmakers, state agency leaders, and advocates may partner to advance disability community interests. Disability-led organizations are uniquely positioned to comment on state policies because they have first-hand experience navigating California systems that directly impact their communities.
Although the report details complex policy issues, the overall message offered is straightforward: Good disability policy is made when disabled people have a seat at the table. “The State of the State was developed by bringing many different disabled policy leaders together, and that is how good policy gets made,” said Brett Eisenberg, Executive Director of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC). “The breadth of issues covered in the report reflects the expertise we have developed through both our lived experience as disabled people and our advocacy work.”
Over the past nine months, staff from several disability-led organizations and disability partners collaborated to identify the most pressing problems facing Californians with disabilities. The report provides a high-level overview of California’s gaps in disability rights, both in statute and enforcement. It covers topics such as health care, education, employment, transportation, and housing.
The State of the State report describes barriers to equal access faced by Californians with a variety of types of disabilities. For example, the education section includes recommendations specific to Deaf education, and the employment section details how some working disabled people cannot afford personal care attendants. All of the topics within the report are within the state’s jurisdiction to act on, whether by passing new laws, enforcing existing regulations, or changing state agency practices.
Equity is central to the report. “I am proud that the State of the State report reflects many of the intersectional identities in California’s disability community. Issues such as police violence, homelessness, and immigration disproportionately impact disabled people of color, and this report contains recommendations to address issues that involve the overlap of racism and ableism,” said Michelle Uzeta, Deputy Director for Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF).
The Alliance plans to use the State of the State report as a policy agenda for the growing coalition – and asks policymakers, advocates, and the public to read, engage with, and share the report. “We are excited to have gathered so many disability community priorities in one place,” said Andy Imparato, Executive Director for Disability Rights California (DRC). “Now, we are ready to work to make these recommendations a reality for disabled Californians.”
###
Members of the California Disability Leadership Alliance:
Cal Voices
California Council of the Blind
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
Choice in Aging
The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy and Innovation
Disability Rights California
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
National Federation of the Blind of California
NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Painted Brain
Youth Justice Education Clinic at Loyola Law School
If your organization supports the findings in this report and the need to prioritize disability rights in statute and enforcement, you can sign on using this form.
Reactions from Alliance members and disability leaders in California:
“This living document is a testament to unifying the Deaf & Disabled Community to take a stand on policy issues affecting all of us. More to come!” – Sheri Farinha, CEO, NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing
“While California is at the forefront of disability policy, we all have more work to do toward full and equal access for people who are disabled in our increasingly technology-dependent world.” – Tim Elder, President, National Federation of the Blind of California
“As California embraces some of the most restrictive behavioral health policies in modern times, it is an imperative call to action for disability advocates to organize with each other, to protect our most vulnerable Californians. Painted Brain is standing with DRC and other advocates in the fight to advance civil rights for individuals with disabilities particularly those with mental health disabilities.” – Rayshell Chambers, Co-founder and Co-Executive Director, Painted Brain
“This Alliance and report are very important for individuals with disabilities across California.” – Wesley Witherspoon, disability leader from Los Angeles
“We believe that true progress for California’s disability community comes when disabled people have an active role in shaping policies that impact their lives. This report is a call to action for policymakers and the public alike to champion inclusive policies across healthcare, education, employment, and beyond. California has long been a leader in creating disability inclusion, now we must once again rise up to be a state that that sets an example for true equity, dignity, and opportunity for all.” – Eli Gelardin, CEO, Marin Center for Independent Living
“Since 1934, the California Council of the Blind has been empowering people who are blind or have low vision through advocacy. The council has sponsored many initiatives that will enable Californians with disabilities to live independently in their own communities. We are excited to continue this work with these partner organizations in a united and inclusive voice.” – Sarah Harris, President, California Council of the Blind
“The Alliance’s State of the State report addresses many barriers that keep people with disabilities from living life to its fullest. I urge California’s leaders to read the report and begin prioritizing every issue within their sphere of influence, because Californians with disabilities have a right to be at the table.” – Anthony Sauer, EMMDS, Alliance member, Treasurer, Disability Rights California Board of Directors and Former Director, California Department of Rehabilitation
“As Chair of the California Foundation of Independent Living Centers (CFILC), I am proud to stand alongside our partners in the California Disability Leadership Alliance to call for transformative change in our state’s approach to disability rights. This report demonstrates not only the barriers our community faces, but also the solutions that are possible when disabled people are at the forefront of policy decisions. Now is the time for California’s leaders to step up, listen to the voices of people with disabilities, and commit to a future where inclusion and equity are at the heart of every decision.” – TJ Hill, Executive Director, Disability Resource Center
“The State of the State report reflects the work and expertise of disability leaders across California. It is a call to action for lawmakers to partner with us and enact policies that improve the quality of life for Californians with disabilities.” – Lisa Hayes, executive director, Rolling Start, Inc.