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Community CurrentsPWDF Spearheads Interdisciplinary Health Care Task ForceBy Sophia Hocini, PWDF Program Coordinator for Public Awareness and EducationIn December 2013, PWDF sent a request to the American Medical Association (AMA), American Dental Association (ADA), and American Psychiatric Association (APA) to join us in creating an interdisciplinary health care task force that would design protocols and procedures that address inequalities in treating the physical health of people with psychiatric, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities. The goal of the task force is to eliminate the disparities in access to physical health care services that affect such individuals (see prior PWDF article). The ADA has accepted membership on the task force and the APA is in the process of providing names of their representatives on the task force. PWDF is also working to add physical health care providers and individual psychiatrists to support the task force and provide medical expertise on procedures and protocols. The task force plans ultimately to establish protocols that could be followed by health care providers nationwide to ensure they are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The task force intends next to hold a preliminary meeting to establish its protocol. PWDF ProfileWho We ArePeople 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. ServicesAdvocacy: 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. |
Volume 18
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Our Mission is to provide education and advocacy for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities, with or without physical disabilities, so that they can achieve equal opportunities in all aspects of life. | |
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