PWDF News: Program Updates

PWDF has continued holding a monthly Legal Clinic for Social Security Beneficiaries with Post-Entitlement / Eligibility issues. The clinic is being held the fourth Thursday of every month. The issues have ranged from questions about being over the resource limit from both earned and unearned income to requests for advice regarding the effect marriage would have on a claimant's benefits. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the next clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, 2013.

The advocacy program welcomes a new staff attorney who has approximately 15 years of legal experience, Janelle Caywood. PWDF has hired a new Advocacy Program Manager, who will start in December.

You can support our litigation against the Social Security Administration by donating to our cause.

Education Update

The Education Program has been very eventful the last few months. Activities have included trainings, holding a free public seminar, international dialogue, outreach to prospective clients, networking with other agencies, and a brief appearance on local television.

We provided two education activities, one at the 2013 NAMI California Conference in Burlingame and the other at the Bar Association of San Francisco. Both addressed SSDI and SSI post-entitlement / eligibility work reviews for beneficiaries with mental and developmental disabilities.

In August, we attended the Project Homeless Connect (PHC) at the San Francisco Civic Center. PHC enables nonprofit medical, social service, and other providers to serve homeless San Franciscans with comprehensive services.

On August 15, 2013 we hosted a very enjoyable visit from the Honorable Kelly Vincent, member of the South Australia Legislative Council, the Upper House of South Australia's Parliament, representing the Dignity with Disability Party. Ms. Vincent's visit to PWDF was sponsored by the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. The theme of the visit was the role of non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing policy concerning the equality of persons with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities. Ms. Vincent and PWDF staff discussed issues related to client advocacy for disability benefits in the US, reasons for and methods of governmental change in policy, a recent Australian report about early intervention and prevention of incarceration, institutional abuse, and access to physical health care services for people with mental impairments.

On September 30, 2013 we held a free 3-hour public seminar entitled "Overcoming Barriers to Physical Health Care Access – People with Mental Disabilities Have Shorter Life Spans" at the San Francisco Public Library's Koret Auditorium (see photo). Research has shown that, as a group, persons with severe mental illness have a 13-30 year shorter life expectancy than that of the general population. This shorter life span is primarily due to physical illness. PWDF's seminar identified barriers to physical health care access and provision of service for people with mental disabilities and discussed methods of overcoming those barriers.

We are very interested in hearing from consumers in particular about specific topics of interest. Check our website for event updates or send us your email address to be added to our contact list for event notification.

PWDF is available for speaking arrangements and training sessions regarding reasonable accommodations, employment, housing and other issues regarding the mentally and/or developmentally disabled population. We have particular expertise in Social Security/SSDI and SSI disability post-entitlement / eligibility issues for beneficiaries with mental and developmental disabilities.

For inquiries about the public awareness and education program, please contact our Program Manager for Public Awareness and Education, April Banerjee at education@pwdf.org

PWDF is pleased to announce that attorney Michael Demian recently joined PWDF as its new Deputy Director of Development and Administration. Michael comes to PWDF with several years of experience in non-profit management and fundraising, as well as more recent experience in employment law and housing litigation. Michael will oversee all development, administrative/human resources, and outreach for PWDF.

PWDF Profile

Who We Are

People With Disabilities Foundation is an operating 501(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.