November 27, 2007
San Francisco, California — Mitch Katz, San Francisco's director of public health, announced today that a preliminary settlement has been reached in the civil rights class action regarding expanded community-based living options for seniors and people with disabilities in San Francisco (Chambers et al. v. the City and County of San Francisco). The results will be improved coordination of care and greatly increased housing options and other services. The new program, called "Success at Home" will provide people with "a single door to independent living," said Katz. "We are very pleased to be taking this innovative next step."
Press Releases
Children With Diabetes Win Assurance of Legally-Required Services at School
August 8, 2007
Oakland, CA–State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell joined representatives of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) today to announce a landmark agreement that ensures California students who are classified as disabled because of diabetes will be safe at school and enjoy the same legally-required educational opportunities as their peers. The agreement clarifies the rights of eligible students with diabetes in every school district throughout the state.
Children With Diabetes Win Assurance of Legally-Required Services at School
August 8, 2007
Oakland, California — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell joined representatives of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) today to announce a landmark agreement that ensures California students who are classified as disabled because of diabetes will be safe at school and enjoy the same legally-required educational opportunities as their peers. The agreement clarifies the rights of eligible students with diabetes in every school district throughout the state.
Laguna Honda Press Materials
October 14, 2006
See the list of materials:
Laguna Honda Press Release
October 13, 2006
San Francisco, California — Six residents of Laguna Honda Hospital, joined by the Independent Living Resource Center (ILRCSF) in San Francisco, filed a class-action lawsuit, Mark Chambers et al. v. City and County of San Francisco, in federal court to challenge San Francisco's discriminatory actions resulting in their unnecessary confinement at Laguna Honda Hospital, a more than 1,000- bed nursing facility owned and operated by the City. The plaintiffs are capable of, and would prefer to live in their own homes or in the community.
24 Hour Fitness Welcomes Patrons with Disabilities
December 13, 2005
Through an amicable collaboration, the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, Inc. ("DREDF") and 24 Hour Fitness have reached consensus regarding issues concerning access for patrons with disabilities at 24 Hour Fitness clubs. The gym chain has confirmed its long-standing commitment to comply with disability rights laws by making reasonable modifications to club policies to enable people with disabilities to participate in fitness activities.
Blind Beneficiaries Sue Social Security Administration
November 16, 2005
SSA Fails to Provide Accessible Communications
The American Council of the Blind and a group of individuals who are blind or have vision impairments today filed a class action lawsuit against the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), alleging that the agency fails to provide the most basic accommodations to its blind applicants and beneficiaries.
Children With Diabetes Sue School Districts, State for Assistance
October 11, 2005
Oakland, California — Four elementary school-age students, along with the American Diabetes Association, filed an unprecedented civil rights complaint today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking class action relief against the California Superintendent of Public Schools, the California Department of Education, members of the California Board of Education, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, the Fremont Unified School District, and their Superintendents and Boards of Trustees. The suit asks the Court to compel public school officials to comply with federal law by providing the assistance that California students with diabetes require to manage their diabetes during the school day.
Laguna Honda Hospital Lawsuit Settles
December 18, 2003
Judge Saundra B. Armstrong of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, today preliminarily approved settlement of a class action lawsuit against San Francisco and several State agencies brought on behalf of present and potential residents of Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH) and the Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco (ILRCSF). "This settlement represents a positive first step in establishing the rights of people with disabilities, including seniors, to receive services in their homes and communities rather than in institutions," says Kim Swain, lead counsel in the case from the Oakland office of Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (PAI), a non-profit agency that works to advance the rights of people with disabilities.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2003
June 24, 2003
Washington D.C. — The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the most important civil rights law ever passed for children with disabilities in the United States. IDEA was reauthorized and strengthened in 1997. The law is again up for reauthorization and faces substantial threats. The House of Representatives passed a bill, HR 1350, on April 30, 2003 making sweeping changes that weaken services and protections for students with disabilities.