Program Updates

Education Update

By PWDF Staff

As of September 20, 2010:

On September 7, 2010, new Staff Attorney Jennifer Willis began working for PWDF. While we are still looking for a permanent Education Program Manager, Jennifer will fill in and supervise activities in this program.

PWDF continues to make a presence in the community. On August 27, 2010, Steven Bruce and Monika Eskridge were featured speakers at this year’s conference by California’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The audience consisted of consumers and their questions included inquiries about employment, vocational rehabilitation and Social Security work incentive programs.

On July 28, 2010, Staff Attorney Zoya Yarnykh gave a presentation on reasonable accommodations in the workplace for people with mental disabilities to members and invited guests of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance San Francisco for their Education Night.

On April 28, 2010, PWDF gave a brief training to staff members at Progress Foundation’s Progress House. It was a broad overview of what they could expect for their clients who are on supplemental security income (SSI). Progress House is a 10 bed psychiatric transitional residential treatment program with an in-house day treatment program. Progress House offers DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) Skills Training and specializes in services to dual-diagnosis clients. The target length of stay is 3 months.

On March 20, 2010, staff members had an information exhibit at the Information & Resource Conference hosted by Support for Families of Children with Disabilities.

In December 2009, PWDF Interim Executive Director, Steven Bruce and PWDF Advisory Board member, Monika Eskridge, were interviewed by the TV program Disabilities NOW on Access SF station, channel 29. Disability NOW is a San Francisco Bay Area show that showcases services for people with disabilities and how those services can be utilized. Steven and Monika answered questions about PWDF and discussed the services offered. The interview generated several inquiries and DVD sales.

We continue to provide information and resources for the community and make ourselves available for speaking engagements and collaborations. Please contact us at education@pwdf.org for more information. 

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.