Brennon B. v. Superior Court

August 17, 2022
The California Supreme Court issued its decision in Brennon B. v. Superior Court, S266254, significantly compromising California's long-standing role in the vanguard of civil rights.  The 7-0 decision holds that California public schools are not covered by the Unruh Civil Rights Act, one of the state's key civil rights statutes. [...]

Public Hearing California State Assembly, Human Services Committee 6-28-22. Testimony of Ayesha Lewis, DREDF Staff Attorney

June 28, 2022
Social Security benefits are a key resource for many people with significant disabilities, but due to current federal law and policy, recipients often cannot marry without reducing or losing their benefits. Disabled Adult Child, also known as DAC, is a Social Security benefit for adults who became disabled prior to the age of 22. DAC is available for people who have disabilities so serious that they cannot substantially participate in the workforce. DAC provides a monthly stipend, Medicare and a special pathway for Medicaid. Under federal law, DAC recipients automatically lose benefits if they marry. [...]

DREDF Statement on the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights

July 15, 2022
DREDF applauds the US Department of Transportation's (USDOT's) recent release of its "Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights."  The living document outlines 10 fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities and the obligations of airlines (including their employees and contractors) under the Air Carrier Access Act. While the Bill of Rights does not establish new requirements for airlines, it does clarify and remind all stakeholders that disabled travelers have the right, first and foremost, to be treated with dignity and respect. [...]

Laguna Honda Residents Have Rights

July 14, 2022
In April, Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH) was decertified by the federal government because of a finding that LHH violated quality of care standards. This means that LHH will stop receiving Medi-Cal and Medicare payments after September 13, 2022. LHH also had to create a closure plan to show the federal government how it would transfer and relocate all of its patients and residents. Our colleagues at Disability Rights California have created a fact sheet for LHH residents to explain their rights during the closure process.

DREDF Applauds District Court Decision Dismissing Complaint Seeking To Eliminate Fundamental Protections in California’s End of Life Options Act

June 23, 2022
DREDF applauds the June 22, 2022, decision by federal district court Judge Vince Chhabria to dismiss the complaint in Shavelson v. California Department of Health Care Services, a case that seeks to eliminate the self-administration requirement of California's End of Life Options Act (EOLA). [...]

DREDF Statement on Recent Gun Violence

May 31, 2022
DREDF is deeply saddened by the recent deadly shootings in Buffalo, NY; Laguna Woods, CA; and most recently Uvalde, TX. Our hearts go out to the survivors, the loved ones of those lost, and the communities in mourning across our country. These acts of violence have also been particularly hard for those who fear violence because of their race, nationality, or simply because they attend or work at a school. Gun violence has remained a national crisis for far too long. More than 45,000 people are killed by guns each year in the US, a figure which includes over 1,000 people killed by law enforcement and over 100 unintentionally shot by children. These deaths represent a rate far higher than exists in other developed countries. Many more than these enormous numbers killed are survivors of gun violence. Survivors often have physical and psychological disabilities that are caused or worsened by their encounters with gun violence. [...]