Disability Rights California

UPDATE: The DRC intake line is available Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 9:00AM – 3:00PM. Our intake line is closed on Wednesdays.

Webinar TOMORROW! Learn more and register at the link: disabilityrightsca.org/events/evictio…

DRC wants to hear from you! You as our community are essential to our mission and work for 2027. If you have the time, please take the survey and give us your feedback on our action plans and future goals! Our annual survey has launched and we’re collecting responses until June 7, 2026. The survey also includes versions in Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). If you need help with the survey, please call (800) 776-5746 and say, “I need help with your survey.” Visit the link to participate: disabilityrightsca.org/latest-news/we… This is great opportunity to identify areas of improvement, provide outreach recommendations, and provide feedback to DRC’s planned work for 2027. We greatly appreciate those who are able to take the survey and give important feedback that will help shape next year’s goals. #DisabilityRightsCA #Survey #Recommendations #Feedback . . Image Description: Bold Text: Make Your Voice Heard at DRC. "DRC" is the blue/green logo with black text: Disability Rights California. Under, Text: Take the survey at the link! Behind, an illustration of a side profile face indicating shouting with noise marks around the mouth.

DRC's 2025 Annual Report is now LIVE. Dig into the full report on our website at the link: disabilityrightsca.org/2025-annual-re… Explore our year in review, impact data, and feature stories of DRC work in 2025. Our eight features this year include both written and video stories and cover a wide range of new work, wins with and for the community, and a lot of disability pride and joy. All of our feature story videos are available in the report in ASL and Audio Description versions. Last year, facing a challenging political and economic climate at all levels of government, DRC remained steadfast in our commitment to our mission, vision and values. We're incredibly grateful to serve Californians with disabilities by defending disability rights, advancing opportunities, growing power, and expanding public support for disability justice in the state and beyond. #DisabilityRightsCA #AnnualReport #2025 #YearInReview #Advocacy #ASL . . Image Description: Large background painting of a monarch butterfly and a pink flower. Title Text: DRC's 2025 Annual Report is now LIVE! Bottom text: Learn about DRC’s impact at the link. Bottom right, a blue/green DRC logo and text: 2025 Annual Report.

ProPublica @propublica released an article exploring the reality of people with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the great harm reducing these benefits would bring to families and people with disabilities. The Trump Administration is proposing a rule change which penalizes older adults and people with disabilities who live in the same home as their family. In these cases, the rule change would deduct the value of a disabled adult’s bedroom from their SSI allotment. Learn more and check out the full article at the link: propublica.org/article/trump-… This effort from the Trump administration marks another attempt to dramatically downsize disability benefit programs overseen by the Social Security Administration, despite those programs’ strict eligibility standards and minimal instances of fraud. People with disabilities already face a number of barriers to receive their SSI benefits. Programs like SSI make it possible for older adults and people with disabilities to take care of their everyday needs. Instead, the Trump administration would like to cut back on SSI payments and increase administrative costs to triple-check the already known income levels of people receiving benefits. This helps no one. #DisabilityRightsCA #SSI #Benefits #SNAP #SupplementalSecurityIncome

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision that significantly weakens a key protection in the federal Voting Rights Act. The Louisiana v. Callais decision makes it harder to challenge discriminatory voting maps and will make it far more difficult to stop states from creating voting maps that limit the political power of voters of color. Disability Rights California strongly condemns this decision, which moves our country backward at a time when access to the ballot remains unequal and under threat. Check out the full statement at the link: disabilityrightsca.org/latest-news/di… #DisabilityRightsCA #SupremeCourt #VotingRightsAct #Federal #Callais #Election #Voting

April is Deaf History Month! Although this month is coming to a close, it's always a great time to get to know Deaf culture and history. To celebrate April is Deaf History Month, check out the powerful documentary, DEAF PRESIDENT NOW! The film explores the story of eight tumultuous days in 1988 at Gallaudet University where a student-led protest rallied together to demand Deaf representation, equity, self-determination, and the appointment of the university's first Deaf president. Check out the full film on Apple TV, Prime Video, or The Roku Channel! In March, DRC honored Nyle DiMarco, one of the Directors and Producers of this documentary. Nyle has been a tireless advocate in uplifting the Deaf community throughout his career. His directorial debut, DEAF PRESIDENT NOW!, earned Nyle and the team a Humanitas nomination and two Emmy Award nominations for the film (Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program -- making him the first deaf director ever nominated for an Emmy). Keep up with Nyle on social media where he shares his personal stories, advocacy, and explores great moments in Deaf history! #DisabilityRightsCA #DeafPresidentNow #Documentary #DeafHistoryMonth #Advocacy

Video Description: Podcast clip with speakers above and an ASL interpreter below. Frame text: The Game Plan A Disability Rights California Podcast. Video starts with Eric Harris through a Zoom call, he is a Black man with a shaved head and dark facial hair and wears glasses and a green sweater. He sits in a room with paintings hanging behind him. Eric is speaking to Marisa Hamamoto, a Japanese-American woman with long dark hair and a blue blouse, she is seated in a plain room. Video Transcript: Having dancers who are wheelchair users and non wheelchair users means a lot to so many folks who are wheelchair users who either assume that, “I'll never really be able to dance with, you know, non wheelchair users in a significant way. I'll have to figure out how to dance with other wheelchair users or it's going to be awkward.” But what would you say to that as far as that part of what you do being such a major part. [MARISA] I know that with a disability, whether you can see it or not comes with challenges. We need to acknowledge that. However, when I'm in the studio, you know, I let go of that. And I also do my best to the dancers that I'm working with to also let go of that. What if we used your wheelchair, Eric, as a tool for creativity? Because guess what? There's some stuff that you can do as a wheelchair user that I can't do on feet. So that's cool stuff. [ERIC] Yeah. Yeah.

The latest episode of The Game Plan podcast is out now! As a grassroots production, we greatly value your support. Please subscribe, comment, rate, review, and share The Game Plan. This time on The Game Plan, Eric is joined by two incredible disability leaders. First, Eric speaks to intrepid self-advocate Lisa Cooley, who discussed her long and rich career advocating on a variety of disability issues and reflects on the role that family plays in her journey. Then, Eric is joined by Marisa Hamamoto - choreographer, advocate, and founder of Infinite Flow Dance. Infinite Flow is a renowned professional dance company with a mission to advance disability inclusion and innovative, disability-led choreography. We’re proud to showcase these conversations with two dynamic leaders in our movement. Watch it on YouTube with ASL, at the link: youtu.be/Yb3y_ZFnH-o You can also access the audio version of the podcast at the platforms below! Substack: open.substack.com/pub/disability… Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/one… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6j2C2Q… Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/podcasts/e6d96… #DisabilityRightsCA #LisaCooley #MarisaHamamoto #Advocacy #Podcast #TheGamePlan

April is Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month! This year and everyday we're emphasizing acceptance. People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a wide range of different experiences and support needs. No matter where a person may land on the autism spectrum, all are deserving of inclusion, access, and self-determination. We're grateful for all the great value people with autism bring into our community by sharing their experiences, existence, and resilience. Get to know three fantastic disability activists with autism spectrum disorder and learn more about their advocacy! Marisa Hamamoto, she/her (Left): The founder of Infinite Flow Dance, an award-winning dance company and nonprofit that employs disabled and nondisabled dancers! Marisa is a spinal stroke survivor, was diagnosed with ASD as an adult, and is a proud fourth-generation Japanese American. Her mission is to advance disability inclusion in the dance world and beyond! @MarisaHamamoto Mychal Threets, he/him (Middle): Reading Rainbow's newest host, a PBS librarian, and an important voice online who brings joy, kindness, and a love of reading to millions. Mychal was recently diagnosed with ASD and ADHD and he has been very open about his own mental health journey. Mychal has been a powerful advocate for literacy, inclusion, and spreading library joy to everyone! Héctor Ramírez, they/them (Right): A California disability advocate who is an autistic person and greatly serves their community through volunteer work and serving on various boards throughout LA County and California. Héctor has served on the California Commission on Disability Access and on the Board of Directors for both DRC and the National Disability Rights Network. Héctor has been instrumental in increasing access to mental health services and financial safety nets for individuals with disabilities. #DisabilityRightsCA #AutismAcceptanceMonth #AutismSpectrum #Advocates #April . . Image Description: A bright patterned social media graphic with text: April is Autism Acceptance Month. Below are three cut out photo of advocates with autism. Left is Marisa Hamamoto, a Japanese-American woman with long dark hair and wearing a pink dress. Middle is Mychal Threets, an AfroLatino man who has a large afros and wears a patterned bandana and a shirt with text: Bans Off Our Books! Right is Héctor Ramírez, an indigenous Tongva two-spirit person with hair styled back and wearing glasses, a purple shirt, and a rainbow lanyard.

Now more than ever, it’s crucial the disability community join together in advocacy and solidarity! On May 26, join us for the 2nd annual California Disability Leadership Alliance (CDLA) Day of Action at the Capitol! Rally for disability rights! All are welcome to join us on the Capitol West Steps as we rally for disability rights and celebrate disability pride and power. We will demand affordable healthcare access, career and education support, physical and digital accessibility, and much more. The event also includes a resource fair, speakers and performers, and a space for the public to engage directly with their legislators. Nothing about us, without us! Learn more and register at the link: eventbrite.com/e/cdla-day-of-… CDLA Day of Action at the Capitol When: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM Where: Capitol West Steps (1315 10th St. Sacramento, CA) ASL, CART (live captions) and Spanish language interpreting provided. Contact cadlalliance@gmail.com for any accommodations you may need by Monday, May 18, 2026. Late requests may not be possible to fill. If you are having trouble with registration, contact cadlalliance@gmail.com with questions or to get help with registering #DisabilityRightsCA #CDLADay2026 #Rally #Sacramento #Capitol #DisabilityLeaders #CABudget #DayOfAction @CalVoices @ccb_org @cfilc_1982 @choiceinaging @thecoelhocenter @dredf @nfb_cal @thepaintedbrain

Are you a person with disabilities that needs to make changes to your housing rules or to your home’s physical structures to make it more accessible? Please join us at this virtual workshop to learn about your rights to do so. Join us to learn about your right to ask for a “reasonable accommodation” or “reasonable modification” – adjustments to rules, policies, services, and even the physical layout of your home to make it more accessible for you. We will review best practices, discuss potential costs, and go over what to expect once you have made your requests. Interpretation will be provided if requested at least 1 week before the event date. When: Tuesday, May 12th at 1pm PT Learn more and register at the link: disabilityrightsca.org/events/reasona… #HousingResource #DisabilityRightsCalifornia #Webinar #VirtualWorkshop . . . Image Description: Top image of a person smiling and seated in a wheelchair in a decorated living room. The person has long braids tied back and wears a pink striped sweater. Header Text: Virtual Workshop. Title Text: Reasonable Accommodations in Housing May 12, 2026 at 1:00pm. Blue/green DRC logo.

Recently, DRC joined a broad coalition of voting rights, disability rights, community and labor organizations, vowing to defeat an anti-voter proposition that is headed for the November ballot. This measure would make it harder for millions of eligible Californians to vote, expose voters to potential identity theft, and cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. We know that barriers to voting already disproportionately impact disabled people. Learn more and check out the full press release at the link: disabilityrightsca.org/press-release/… This initiative is part of a dangerous national trend of anti-voter laws, meant to incite fear and distrust in our elections. We, as a coalition, promise to defeat this measure by exposing the false claims behind the initiative and the very real harms it would inflict on voters across California. #DisabilityRightsCA #PressRelease #VoterFraud #AntiVoter #Advocacy @ACLU_CalAction @ACLU_SoCal @AsianLawCaucus @CACommonCause @CHIRLA @CourageCA @eqca @LWV @NextGen_Policy @VoteRiders . . Image Description: Header Text: Press Release. Blue/green DRC logo. Title Text: Voting Rights Groups Vow to Defeat Measure Restricting Ballot Access. Below is a photo of a Black individual with long braids, wearing a black hat, and a black medical mask dropping a ballot into a yellow "Vote By Mail" Ballot box. Photo is taken outdoors under a tent cover with tables nearby.

Today April 28 marks the 49th anniversary of the end of the 1977 Section 504 Sit-ins. Activists organized 10 protests across the U.S, with the San Francisco protest lasting the longest for 26 days, demanding the signing and enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, along with Section 504, addressed basic needs like access to education and employment that disabled people were fighting for. People with disabilities grew impatient, however, because even four years after its passage, Section 504 was still not addressed or enforced, in large part because businesses and organizations lobbied that it would be too difficult to implement. The organizers that occupied 50 UN Plaza were united in their effort. Their collective support for each other ensured their protest stayed strong and persistent until demands were met. Today and beyond, we are reminded that democracy, civil rights, enhanced protections, and progress is made possible with community power and action. Our work continues to defend the rights, advance opportunities, grow power, and expand public support for disability justice in California and beyond! #DisabilityRightsCA #Section504 #Protest #ADA #Advocacy . . Image Description: Top Text: Anniversary of the end of the 1977 Section 504 protests. Two photos overlayed. The front photo is a black and white photo of 4 Section 504 advocates Hale Zukas, Ron Washington, and Judy Heumann responding to a question at a press conference held at the San Francisco airport before protesters leave for Washington. Lynette Taylor provides American Sign Language interpretation. Behind is a yellow filtered photo of advocates holding signs celebrating the signing of Section 504 in Washington DC. There is a large banner that says "VICTORY". Blue/green DRC logo.

Voters who have been displaced by wildfires, such as last year’s fires in Los Angeles County, or other emergencies have additional options to make sure they receive their election materials and can vote on the contests and ballot measures affecting the place they call home. Guidance from the Los Angeles County elections office appears here: lavote.gov/recovery. Guidance from the California Secretary of State appears here: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/trusted-i…. If you have questions, DRC’s voting hotline is open year-round on weekdays during business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) (and longer hours on Election Day). Call us at (888) 569-7955. We will continue to share voting resources on DRC social media as Election Day gets closer! #DisabilityRightsCA #LAfire #ElectionDay #VoterResource #California . . Image Description: Header Text: Voting Resource. Blue/green DRC logo. Title Text: Are you a voter who has been displaced by wildfires or other emergencies? Blue-filtered photo of a large voting area in Los Angeles with voting booths to the right and voting staff to the left. Bottom Text: Learn how you can receive your election materials!

Virtual Workshop TOMORROW! Learn more and register at the link: disabilityrightsca.org/events/know-yo…

Now is a great time to make sure your voter registration is up to date for the statewide primary election on June 2! Register to vote or check your voter registration status at the link: registertovote.ca.gov Even if you voted in a recent California election, knowing everything is in order can give you peace of mind, and the process is straightforward. This will ensure that your ballot and other important election materials are sent to the correct address. You also can choose your preferred language and how you want to receive your state and county voter information guides. If you would like more information about voter registration, visit this link: sos.ca.gov/elections/vote… If you have questions, DRC’s voting hotline is open year-round on weekdays during business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) (and longer hours on Election Day). Call us at (888) 569-7955. We will continue to share voting resources on DRC social media as Election Day gets closer! #DisabilityRightsCA #VoterRegistration #ElectionDay #VoterResource #California . . Image Description: Title Text: Make sure your voter registration is up to date! Blue/green DRC logo. Blue filtered image below of an official California Voter Registration form.

Are you a renter with a disability in California and have questions about evictions? Learn about your rights in this workshop, which will cover eviction notice requirements, what to do if you receive an eviction notice, and tips for resolving or even preventing these issues. When: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Time: 1 p.m. PT Learn more and sign up at the link: disabilityrightsca.org/events/evictio… #DisabilityRightsCA #Housing #Eviction #Webinar #May #Rent #Resource #Disability . . . Image Description: Graphic image with abstract background. Cut out photo of a Black male-presenting person seated with legs crossed and has a serious expression. He holds a paper in one hand and eye glasses in another hand. Header Text: Virtual Workshop. Title Text: Eviction Notices in California. Text: May 5, 2026 at 1:00pm. Blue/green DRC logo.