Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

Disabled people are disproportionately impacted when immigration enforcement disrupts healthcare, medications, housing, communication access, and community supports. We’re uplifting this important @accessliving webinar exploring disability, immigration enforcement, family separation, and community impact. CART, ASL, and Spanish interpretation provided. Register at the link in bio.

Imagine arriving at a medical appointment only to discover: - There is no way to communicate with medical staff - You can’t access basic health support equipment like scales and examination tables - Staff ignore your needs and look past you to family, friends, or your spouse to talk about your health - Inaccurate or inappropriate things are entered in your medical record It would be disempowering, frustrating, humiliating, and ineffectual. Yet, for many disabled people, this is the reality of their healthcare experience. Healthcare organizations have the power to change this with some simple practices, tools and strategies. The Disability Equity Collaborative’s new Implementation Guide for Healthcare Organizations offers a roadmap for creating more effective and inclusive healthcare for people. It offers concrete tools and approaches to help healthcare systems of all sizes move beyond compliance and toward real accessibility. Access the guide at the link in our bio

Families are struggling to afford health care, groceries, gas, and utilities. Meanwhile, Republicans are pushing $70 billion into ICE and Border Patrol to terrorize, abuse, and imprison people across the country, including disabled people, members of their families, and caregivers. This bill hands them another blank check to expand harm in our communities. Since Trump took office, at least 49 people have died in ICE custody because of neglect, abuse, and inhumane conditions. That’s one life lost every 10 days. Many more have suffered trauma, medical neglect, and denial of their rights and protections. It must stop. On May 20, hundreds of immigrants, allies and working families affected by the cuts on SNAP, Medicaid and ACA are coming together in D.C. to say enough! We need you there with us.: https://www.mobilize.us/cpda/event/940959/?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=dredf ASL will be provided. @Indivisibleteam @fobaction @letkidsthrive

Last week, two leading disability rights organizations hosted an education summit in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Disability Rights California (DRC) and the Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund (DREDF) brought a panel of leading experts in the disability education space to reflect on the history of education for students with disabilities and to look ahead to building a more inclusive educational future for students across the disability community. Check out the full press release at the link in our bio. It was an incredible experience to discuss how far we have come and strategize together to overcome current barriers. Our work continues as we navigate through slashed funding and staffing in the Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights. Together we will protect IDEA and ensure all students with disabilities have access to quality, public education and services regardless of their background. DRC's Senior Attorney in the Youth Practice Group Allegra Cira Fischer shared about this anniversary, "the IDEA is a defining civil rights law that ensures students with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate public education. While our current system is far from perfect, before the IDEA, millions of disabled young people were regularly institutionalized in unsafe settings and unable to attend school at all. As federal civil rights protections for schoolchildren are dismantled, we must remain vigilant to protect the gains made over the past 50 years and also fight for greater equity as we look to the future of education for students with disabilities." @allegraciraf #DisabilityRightsCA #IDEA50 #Anniversary #Summit #IDEA @marylandschoolfortheblind @thisiscsd @blackorganizingproject

Protecting democracy means protecting every community’s ability to be heard. DREDF joins The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) in raising the alarm against the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. This ruling has weakened protections against discriminatory voting maps which undermine the power of marginalized communities to use their vote to enact change. The right to vote only matters if every vote can truly count. Read ASAN’s statement at the link in bio.

For some people with disabilities, accessing reproductive health care through telehealth is not merely important — it is the difference between life and death. Our access to this essential medication for abortion and miscarriage care must be protected.

Please join us in welcoming Shirley Carrillo to DREDF as our new Development Associate! Shirley brings experience in disability advocacy, accessible communication, fundraising, and nonprofit outreach. Her work has focused on advancing equity, inclusion, and access for disabled communities. We’re excited to have her on the DREDF team. Shirley’s bio can be found at the link in our bio.

We want YOU to join us for a rally to defend and strengthen the disability community! On May 26, join us for the 2nd annual California Disability Leadership Alliance (CDLA) Day of Action at the Capitol! Rally for disability rights! Together we will rally for disability rights and celebrate disability pride and power on the Capitol West Steps. We will NOT accept harmful healthcare cuts, the weakening of civil rights protections, institutionalization, and inadequate accessibility. The event also includes a resource fair, advocates 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 in our bio. 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] with questions or to get help with registering #DisabilityRightsCA #CDLADay2026 #Rally #Sacramento #Capitol #DisabilityLeaders #CABudget #DayOfAction @cal_voices @cfilc_1982 @choiceinaging @thecoelhocenter @dredf1979 @norcaldeafsvcs @thepaintedbrain @lls_yjec . . Image Description: Flyer with California Disability Leadership Alliance’s logo that has a circle of a rising sun with 4 silhouettes of people with different disabilities. Title Text: Day of Action at the Capitol. Text: REGISTER NOW! Tuesday, May 26, 2026. 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM California State Capitol, West Steps. 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Capitol Annex Swing Space, 1021 O Street. Left, a QR code with text: Learn More and Sign Up Today. Text: For additional questions or accommodations, please contact [email protected]. Illustration of several people with varying disabilities together in front of the California Capitol. Bottom Text: Join us and demand: - Healthcare Protection - Strengthening of Civil Rights - Language Access - Accessibility - MORE!

Families are struggling to afford health care, groceries, gas, and utilities. Meanwhile, Republicans are pushing $70 billion into ICE and Border Patrol to terrorize, abuse, and imprison people across the country, including disabled people, members of their families, and caregivers. This bill hands them another blank check to expand harm in our communities. Since Trump took office, at least 49 people have died in ICE custody because of neglect, abuse, and inhumane conditions. That’s one life lost every 10 days. Many more have suffered trauma, medical neglect, and denial of their rights and protections. It must stop. On May 20, hundreds of immigrants, allies and working families affected by the cuts on SNAP, Medicaid and ACA are coming together in D.C. to say enough! We need you there with us. Sign up at the link in bio.

An accessible education depends on accountability when schools deny services, ignore accommodations, or exclude disabled students. But weakening the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforcement leaves many families without meaningful pathways to resolve discrimination and protect their children’s rights. We’re partnering with Parents Helping Parents and others in calling on Congress to restore OCR and strengthen protections for disabled students. Families should not have to defend their disabled child’s right to an education alone. Take action at our link in bio. #DisabilityRights #Section504 #IDEA #SpecialEducation

Los desafíos de comportamiento en la escuela pueden ser complejos; sin embargo, comprender lo que exige la ley y lo que esto implica para su hijo puede ayudarle a aprovechar al máximo el proceso. Acompáñanos en el taller virtual «Navegando comportamientos y disciplina en la escuela» del Centro de Capacitación e Información para Padres de DREDF, en el que un defensor tratará los siguientes temas: Cómo IEP (Programa Educativo Individualizado) y los planes 504 pueden brindar apoyo en materia de comportamiento. Qué deben de tener en cuenta las escuelas antes y durante la aplicación de medidas disciplinarias Cuándo las medidas disciplinarias dan lugar a protecciones adicionales. Consejos prácticos de defensa para ayudarle a tomar medidas. 11 de mayo de 2026 7:00 – 8:45 p.m. hora del Pacífico Ya sea que esté iniciando el proceso o que esté respondiendo a un problema disciplinario, esta sesión le ayudará a comprender sus derechos y los pasos a seguir. Regístrese hoy mismo: https://dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eKrY5RzKThOc-E0pye7K4w

Your perspective matters. A research team at @syracuse is inviting adults (18+) to take a short survey (about 10 minutes). Whether you identify as having a disability or not, your voice can help inform more inclusive research and policy. Please consider taking a few minutes to participate—and share with others. Link to the survey is in our bio.