Program UPDATE

Education Update

On March 5, 2016, Steven Bruce, PWDF Legal Director, presented a workshop at the Support For Families Of Children With Disabilities Information and Resource Conference at the 19th Annual Golden Gate Self-Advocacy Conference at John McConnell High School. The topic of the workshop was child’s Social Security disability benefits. It entailed the steps, regulations, and challenges when seeking SSI for minor and adult children.  PWDF Program Manager for Public Awareness and Education, April Banerjee, and Staff Attorney James Gilyard staffed an information table about PWDF services.

On December 11, 2015, April Banerjee attended the monthly meeting of the San Francisco chapter of People First at The Arc of San Francisco. The People First Chapter of San Francisco is headed by Jennifer Walsh. Approximately 7 members of People First, plus one attendant, were present.  People First has two chapters: one in San Francisco and one in the East Bay.

PWDF Education Program Manager April Banerjee with members of the San Francisco Chapter of People First

The group’s purpose is to engage in self-advocacy and advocacy for others. April attended the meeting to tell People First members about PWDF, the advocacy services we offer, the activities of the Education Program, and the work we have done.

On February 11, 2016, April Banerjee and Laurence Jones, PWDF Program Coordinator for Public Awareness and Education, went to the monthly meeting of Social Workers in Senior Housing (SWISH) to provide information about PWDF’s mission and services.  SWISH members are social workers who work with seniors and adults ages 18-64 with disabilities. Case Workers from Mercy Housing, Glide, Meals on Wheels and Laguna Honda Hospital were present. April and Laurence also provided information about PWDF’s past work on behalf of people with mental and/or developmental disabilities.

PWDF is available for speaking engagements and training sessions on reasonable accommodations, employment, housing and other issues concerning people with mental and/or developmental disabilities. We have particular expertise in Social Security/SSDI and SSI disability post-entitlement / eligibility issues for beneficiaries with mental and/or developmental disabilities.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest information and media updates from PWDF. For inquiries about PWDF’s Public Awareness and Education Program, please contact Program Manager April Banerjee at education@pwdf.org.

PWDF Profile

Who We Are

People With Disabilities Foundation is an operating501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, which focuses on the rights of the mentally and developmentally disabled.

Services

Advocacy: PWDF advocates for Social Security claimant’s disability benefits in eight Bay Area counties. We also provide services in disability rights, on issues regarding returning to work, and in ADA consultations, including areas of employment, health care, and education, among others. There is representation before all levels of federal court and Administrative Law Judges. No one is declined due to their inability to pay, and we offer a sliding scale for attorney’s fees.

Education/Public Awareness: To help eliminate the stigma against people with mental disabilities in society, PWDF’s educational program organizes workshops and public seminars, provides guest speakers with backgrounds in mental health, and produces educational materials such as videos.

Continuing Education Provider: State Bar of California MCLE, California Board of Behavioral Sciences Continuing Education, and Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.