Program UPDATE

Education Update

On March 17, 2016, PWDF Program Manager for Public Awareness and Education April Banerjee and Program Coordinator for Public Awareness and Education Laurence Jones met with Robert Fitch of the Disabled Students Program and Services department of City College of San Francisco (CCSF) to discuss the implementation of goals around AB 104.
(See related article).  Robert gave April and Laurence historical background information about the lack of funding and reduction of services in previous years to make AB 86 and AB 104 necessary steps to replenishing equitable education access to disabled adult students. We anticipate continuing these conversations about adult education for students with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities.

On March 23, 2016, PWDF staff Tom Ambrose, Sandy Lopez and Laurence Jones attended Project Homeless Connect (PHC). PHC enables nonprofit medical, social service, and other providers to serve homeless San Franciscans with comprehensive services.  PWDF staff interacted with approximately 20 people each, informing them of our services and signing them up for our newsletter. During the event, Sandy Lopez was interviewed by Gregory Richardson of SF Commons. SF Commons is San Francisco Public Access television, which provides public, educational, and government television services for San Francisco residents, ensuring that locally-produced, non-commercial media remain an essential component to free expression and engagement at a local level.

On April 6, 2016, PWDF Education Program Coordinator Laurence Jones attended SF Provider Connect. The focus of this Provider Connect was providing informed care for substance users. The forum consisted of speakers from three service providers, with a short question and answer period.

On April 18, 2016, the NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service Capstone Team visited PWDF offices. They presented an overview of their recommendations for PWDF to implement new strategies for increasing the reach of our Public Awareness and Education Program. For more information, see article in our previous e-newsletter. As of this writing, PWDF had recently received the full Capstone report.

We are beginning to plan upcoming public awareness seminars. The next topic will focus on mental health and related issues for seniors, then on Autism Part 2.

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.