Disability Rights California Has Your Back, GET OUT AND VOTE
Date: Monday November 3, 2008Posted in: Civil Liberties
Tagged: Disability Rights California, Help America Vote Act, Vote
Oakland, CA – Californians with disabilities who are voting on November 4 have an ally in assuring full and equal access to the process. With funding from the Help America Vote Act, Disability Rights California, (formerly Protection and Advocacy, Inc.), is operating a toll-free hotline for voters with disabilities who have difficulty accessing polling places, casting ballots or have questions about voting.
The purpose of the hotline is to fix problems on Election Day that are causing barriers affecting a person’s ability to vote. Examples are: limited access for voters living in nursing homes and other residential facilities; polling places with inaccessible parking or steep curb ramps; narrow doorways and aisles; voting equipment placed on inaccessible tables or stages; poor disability trainings for poll workers; and, poll sites said to be “accessible” when they are not.
Our hotline is equipped to receive voice and TTY calls. The toll-free number for voice calls is: 800-776-5746. The toll-free number for TTY calls is: 800-719-5798. Individuals who speak languages other than English should state their language and an interpreter will be connected to the call. Callers who wish to use the California Relay Service, Speech to Speech Service or Video Relay can dial 711.
Our staff will also be working in collaboration with the Election Protection Coalition as special advisors to their Election Protection hotline to ensure that individuals with disabilities can get answers to their questions.
Disability Advocacy Groups Outraged at Challenge of “Right to Vote” of Californians with Developmental Disabilities
Date: Friday October 31, 2008Posted in: Civil Liberties
Tagged: California, Disability Rights California, People First, San Joaquin County (California), Tuolumne County (California), Vote
The California Republican Party has urged Secretary of State Debra Bowen to look into voter fraud by way of using adults with developmental disabilities. The party has suggested that programs such as Tuolumne County’s “Thumbs Up!” have coerced their clients into voting democratic. The program has said they were non-partisan while going over the ballots and issues. While the majority of the clients voted democratic, not all did.
Disability Rights California has issued a press release refuting the party’s probe into voter fraud stating “Every person, with or without disability, meeting eligibility requirements has the right to vote unless found incompetent by a court of law.” Other organizations such as People First of California have also cast down the alleged fraud by saying “Why should people with disabilities be treated any differently?”
Parents of adults with developmental disabilities aren’t too happy with programs (not specifically “Thumbs Up!” but others as well) registering their children to vote either.
The mother of another CAPS PLUS client was equally outraged. “It really made me mad,” said Diana Hanson.
“She doesn’t understand it. She’s not mentally capable of voting,” said Hanson of her daughter Kara, 23, who has Down Syndrome.
Parents say the registering and voting should have been left up to them as they know what’s best for their own child. However, many parents would not have registered and helped their adult children vote, which the programs say “is a shame.”
The whole Disability Rights California press release can be read here: http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/news/Press_Release_2008-10-30.pdf
The News10 VIDEO story on the “Thumbs Up!” program can be viewed here: State Republicans launch disabled voting probe
A follow-up VIDEO news story by News10 says it’s happening all over the state: Parents of Disabled Voters Angered over Balloting
A print news story covering the issue can be found here: Parents of Disabled Voters Angered over Balloting
Another story can be read here: Republicans question disabled votes
CDCAN Report #230-2008: Upcoming Meetings and Conference Updates
Date: Friday October 31, 2008Posted in: Funding, Health, Meeting
Tagged: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Budget, California Department of Health Care Services, California Disability Community Action Network, Disability Rights California, In-Home Supportive Services, Olmstead Decision, Sacramento (California), San Diego (California), San Diego Regional Center, San Jose (California)
UPCOMING MEETINGS & CONFERENCE UPDATE
- 11/4 – ELECTION DAY – VOTE! HOTLINE NUMBER FOR PROBLEMS!
- 11/5 – SPECIAL SESSION OF LEGISLATURE (FIRST DAY)
- 11/6 – SKILLED NURSING FACILITY QUALITY WORKGROUP MEETING
- 11/7- GOVERNOR’S DISABILITY & SENIOR RIGHTS ADVISORY GROUP MEETING
- 11/8-9 - CONFERENCE OF IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES (IHSS) ADVISORY COMMITTEES
- 11/17-18 – CONFERENCE OF END OF LIFE ISSUES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
SACRAMENTO (CDCAN) – This is an update of regarding hot line information for voting problems encountered by persons with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors, and also an update on several upcoming public meetings and two statewide conferences. For groups or organizations that have upcoming conferences and would like to be included in these regular CDCAN Upcoming Meetings and Conference Update, please send your information to Marty Omoto at martyomoto@rcip.com
California Exit Exam Disability Guidelines Unsettled
Date: Monday January 21, 2008Posted in: Advocacy, Education, Media
Tagged: California, Department of Education, Disability Rights California, Exit Examination, Jack O'Connell
The high school exit exam in place throughout California has hindered people with disabilities from obtaining high school diplomas. Advocates argue that the test is requiring too much of kids living with conditions, such as learning disabilities. State Superintendent Jack O’Connell says the exit exam is to maintain a level of skill and ability and to create special conditions for students with disability would lower the graduation bar.
The California Department of Education has been in talks with the Disability Rights Advocates to reach a solution. Though at least one previous attempt to provide adequate educational equivalents has been proposed, the Board of Education has rejected the proposal. Though, they are showing optimism for reaching an agreement later this year.
Source: Exit exam disability guidelines up in air provided by the Sacramento Bee.
