Federal Judge Allows Class Action Lawsuit Alleging that the Social Security Administration Discriminates Against People with Mental Disabilities

In The Spotlight

Support Needed for Returning Vets with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Breaking down Workplace Barriers for Vets Transitioning to Civilian Careers - Understanding Invisible (Mental) Health Needs

By PWDF Staff

A recent Pentagon study found about 38% of soldiers and 31% of Marines reporting psychological conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after returning from deployment. Unfortunately, the numbers are expected to grow because of repeated and extended deployments.

The actual number of cases of PTSD is also believed to be underreported for years, as many veterans are not diagnosed when first experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Some vets do not seek help, and others may be misdiagnosed before finally receiving the PTSD diagnosis.

continued »

Counsel's Corner

Returning to Work While on Social Security

By Steven Bruce, Esq.[1]

Persons with disability benefits have understandably been afraid of losing their benefits and their Medicare and/or Medicaid[2] coverage if they made good faith attempts to work. The Social Security Administration has revised its disability work incentive programs to make it possible for disabled beneficiaries to work under certain conditions but still retain some of their benefits, as well as their Medicare or Medicaid coverage.

1 Steven Bruce is the Managing Attorney of PWDF.

2 In many states, modifications to the Medicaid program are opted by the state. For instance, California's version of Medicaid is Medi-Cal.

continued »

Community Currents

San Rafael Psychologist Polices the Streets

An officer teaches other police officers how to effectively deal with the mentally impaired

By Phyllis Hayes, Contributing Writer

Earlier this year, two mentally impaired men suffering psychotic episodes, Jeremiah Chass[1] of Sebastopol, California, and Richard
Desantis[2] of Santa Rosa, California, were both killed by police officers. If either of them had had the good fortune to be in San Rafael, California, in their last minutes of life, the outcome may have been drastically different due to an innovative crisis intervention program headed by Joel Fay, a police officer with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

1 Teen Shot Dead By Sonoma Deputy Had Mental Illness, Associated Press, April 2, 2007.

2 Mentally Ill Man Killed by Police, Jim Doyle, San Francisco Chronicle, April 12, 2007.

PWDF News

PWDF Wrapping up Production of Our Next Training Video

PWDF is in the process of finalizing its second 30-minute training video on accommodating people with psychiatric disabilities in the workplace. We hope to have it ready for distribution by the end of this year. The video is meant to facilitate discussion in understanding the underlying pathology of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as these impairments relate to employment issues. PWDF will announce a 3-hour seminar on the same name as the working title of this production. (See PWDF events.) We are also completing a workbook to compliment both of the training videos.

PWDF Will Host Another Chinese Delegation Visit

After the success of the last visit, PWDF is once again sought by China as one of the stops on the Hunan Province's disability delegation for information and services provided. The delegation, comprising of fourteen governmental officials heading various municipal and provincial agencies providing services for the disabled, is tentatively scheduled to be here in November 2007.

Federal Judge Takes Jurisdiction of PWDF Class Action Complaint Against Social Security Administration under Section 504

PWDF filed a class action suit on behalf of individuals with psychiatric impairments who are alleging discrimination based on mental disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in SSA's work continuing disability reviews procedures. On July 18, 2007, U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn Hall Patel issued an Order to allow PWDF's complaint to go forward citing violations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. SSA denies all allegations.

For further information, please read PWDF's press releases.

more PWDF news »

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 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.