July 13, 2000
San Francisco, California — Ten plaintiffs will be filing a class action lawsuit in United States District Court on July 12, 2000, seeking access to community-based long-term care services to avoid unnecessary institutionalization in nursing facilities. The lawsuit alleges that the City and County of San Francisco, as well as several state agencies, are discriminating against people with disabilities by failing to utilize existing Medicaid funding and other funding sources for home and community-based services, instead committing the vast majority of available funding to institutional care. A de facto policy bias toward institutional care persists at the expense of home and community based alternatives.
Press Releases
California, Florida to Get First Bank of America Talking ATMs
March 15, 2000
San Francisco, California — Bank of America today announces a plan to install more than 2,500 talking ATMs in Florida and California its largest retail markets. The plan, reached in conjunction with the California Council of the Blind and several blind individuals, schedules installations of the talking ATMs over the next three years. Additional plans to install the ATMs in other states where Bank of America operates will be worked out early next year.
DREDF Government Affairs Director to Receive the George Bush Medal
February 24, 2000
Patrisha A. Wright, Director of Government Affairs at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, will be awarded the George Bush medal at a gala luncheon ceremony today in Houston. The award is presented to individuals who have "distinguished themselves in the movement for equal rights and opportunity for people with disabilities worldwide," writes the Bush Medal Committee. Past recipients include President Bush, Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Ed Roberts (founder of the first Center for Independent Living), and Bengt Lindquist (special envoy on disability to the United Nations.) It was first given in 1993.
President Bush to Award Bush Medal to Six ADA Advocates
January 31, 2000
Houston, Texas — President George Bush will present the George Bush Medal to six individuals, two posthumously, who have distinguished themselves in the movement for equal rights and opportunity for people with disabilities worldwide during a February 24 gala luncheon in Houston. "Lighting The Way," the theme of the luncheon, recognizes the inspired leadership of the six individuals being honored. Their passionate commitment to equality and opportunity for all has helped to make the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) a valuable part of the American culture.
Victory for Disabled Children in East Palo Alto
January 4, 2000
East Palo Alto, California — After a three-year legal battle on behalf of hundreds of children with disabilities in the Ravenswood Elementary School District in East Palo Alto, California, Federal Court Judge Thelton E. Henderson gave final approval yesterday to an unprecedented settlement agreement in Emma C. v. Delaine Eastin, et al., Case No. C-96-4179, and commented that the agreement is "very well done".
Oakland Coliseum Press Release
October 20, 1999
Notice of Cash Settlement Fund in Connection With Disability Rights Lawsuit Involving the Oakland Coliseum
To all persons with mobility, vision, or hearing disabilities who have been to the Oakland Coliseum
Citibank Takes Initial Steps Towards Installing “Talking ATMS”
July 8, 1999
Oakland, California — Citibank and the California Council of the Blind announced today that Citibank has agreed to pilot test "talking" automated teller machines ("ATMs") at five Citibank locations in California. This initiative will place Citibank at the forefront of the banking industry by testing ATM machines that can be used more effectively by persons with vision impairments.
Los Angeles Police Department Sued for Disability Discrimination
April 28, 1999
Los Angeles, California — A lawsuit will be filed on Thursday, April 29, 1999 in state court in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), alleging that the Department has violated employment discrimination laws by denying a job to an applicant with a disability who meets hiring standards set by the LAPD. The suit, which alleges violations of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), will be filed on behalf of named plaintiff Matthew Wayne Christensen. Mr. Christensen is represented by Larry A. Minsky, a Long Beach attorney who specializes in employment discrimination, and by the Berkeley-based Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF), a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of persons with disabilities.
National Agreement Reached to Improve Accessibility at Stations Owned by Chevron
February 2, 1999
San Francisco, California — Chevron and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) today announced a comprehensive agreement that will improve access for customers with disabilities at stations owned by Chevron throughout the United States.
Shell Gas Stations Press Release
September 11, 1998
San Francisco, California — United States District Court Judge Charles Legge today granted final approval to one of the most comprehensive agreements to date under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In issuing his Order, Judge Legge referred to the Consent Decree as a remarkable and outstanding achievement. The agreement with Equilon Enterprises LLC, and Shell Oil Products Company, two companies that now own, lease and/or operate over 3,000 Shell gas stations across the country, and plaintiffs in a national class action lawsuit, will substantially improve access for wheelchair users and other people with mobility disabilities across the country.