San Francisco Mayor proclaims June 3, 2008, People With Disabilities Day in recognition of PWDF’s new video, Understanding Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities

Program Updates

Education Update

Premiere of Understanding Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities

On June 3, 2008, People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF) unveiled its newest training video, Understanding Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities, during a seminar on the topic in the theater of the Mission Campus of City College of San Francisco. The 100+ people in attendance included human resource professionals, representatives from disability rights organizations, vocational counselors, and other individuals interested in issues relating to people with mental disabilities.

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San Francisco Mayor proclaims June 3, 2008, People With Disabilities Day

Click here to view proclamation.

Advocacy Update

PWDF continues its pursuit of assuring meaningful access to the Social Security programs for people with invisible/mental disabilities with our current class action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration. Please visit http://www.pwdf.org/news/press.html for any new developments.

Counselor's Corner

Social Security’s Definition of Disability
The Five-Step Sequential Analysis

By Annie Hsia, Advocacy Program Manager

The Social Security definition of disability is not the same as that of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or that of Worker’s Compensation. The Social Security Act states that you are generally not considered disabled unless you are unable to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) devised the regulations at 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1505 et seq. in determining whether someone is disabled under the Act.

The Act defines work as substantial and gainful activity. The Act also requires that the disability be medically determinable and that the disability must be expected to either result in death or to persist continuously for twelve (12) months or more. Moreover, taking into account of your age, education level, and work experience, if there are any other jobs you could perform in your present condition, then you are not considered disabled.

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Community Currents

Shedding Light on Bipolar Disorder

By Jane Northrop

Originally published in the Pacifica Tribune on April 8, 2008, reprinted in shortened form with permission

The voices in her head told Kathleen Bernard to leave her home one February morning wearing nothing but a pair of cowboy boots on her feet and a towel around her neck.

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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.