Federal Judge Will Hear 2 Trials for SSA Discrimination Against People with Mental/Developmental Disabilities

In the Spotlight

Federal Judge Allows Doe v. Social Security Administration (SSA) Case to Go to Trial.

John Doe alleges that SSA discriminates against people with developmental disabilities.

Meet John Doe

By PWDF Staff

We want to take this opportunity to provide readers some background information on "John Doe," a plaintiff in our lawsuit against the Social Security Administration (SSA). We first introduced you to John via our March 9, 2009 press release. John is the plaintiff in our latest lawsuit, filed March 6, 2009 (Case No. 09-980 MHP), against SSA. We are alleging that SSA notices and other methods of administration discriminate against John and others like him with mental and/or developmental disabilities in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.

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Counsel's Corner

Least Restrictive Environment for Disabled Students, Parents, and School Districts

By Jeff Weber, PWDF Summer Law Student Intern

Educating children with special needs presents a unique challenge for educators and parents. Schools struggle to provide individualized and efficacious curricula within their budgetary constraints. Parents seek to enhance their child's ability to interact with non-disabled peers. The benefits of more segregated, individualized educational programs may or may not be greater than the value of cultivating social skills and increasing non-disabled children's exposure to children with disabilities.

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Program Updates

Education Update

By C. Monica Eskridge, Interim Program Manager for Education

As of December 3, 2009:

PWDF EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP

On May 15, 2009, PWDF sponsored an open public forum to discuss employment issues for persons with mental disabilities. We focused on employment supports for people with mental and/or developmental disabilities. Our panel of experts included:

Darlene Rutkowski, District Administrator, CA Dept. of Rehabilitation, San Francisco & Mistress of Ceremonies;

Claudia Center, Senior Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Society/Employment Law Center in San Francisco;

Janice E. Cohen, M.D., Psychiatrist;

Anita Gilbert, Ph.D., Psychologist; and

Dan Daniels, Assistant Program Director, Buckelew Employment Services.

Our forum attracted an audience of 75 people and included providers, employers, employees, consumers, and volunteer organizations.

DISABILITY SERVICES IN MEXICO

On September 30, 2009, PWDF staff welcomed to our office Sra. Estela Villarreal Junco, the Founder and former Executive Director of Unidos Somos Iguales. We exchanged ideas and strategies for providing services to people with disabilities.

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Advocacy Update

By PWDF Staff

PWDF welcomes two new Staff Attorneys: Zoya Yarnykh and Howard Stern. For more information about our new Staff Attorneys, please see our Staff Page.

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.