Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

Care, not coercion. Support, not punishment. California can and should invest in voluntary mental health care, resources, and community supports for disabled Californians instead of less effective and more costly forced treatment and incarceration. Explore the report: bit.ly/CA-state-of-state-2026

Repeated harassment impacts a sense of safety and the ability to learn. A disabled student should not have to lose every educational benefit before schools act. DREDF is supporting a federal appeal to hold schools accountable for addressing bullying of disabled students: https://tinyurl.com/4upf9ukw

Equal access applies online, too. California government websites still have accessibility barriers that prevent disabled people from accessing essential information and services, and it is getting worse - not better. Explore the full report: https://bit.ly/CA-state-of-state-2026

Voting is a fundamental right. Ahead of the Nov. 3 election, a voter guide to help voters with mental disabilities exercise their fundamental right to vote has been released: https://tinyurl.com/VotingAccessMD  California DOJ has also issued a guide: https://bit.ly/VotingAccessGuide

This Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day, let's make a plan to do something to close the gap that holds disabled women back.  Register to vote, explore voting options, and make a plan to vote for candidates who will take action for disabled women and help us survive and flourish.

Health care isn't accessible if disabled people have to face barriers at every turn: from getting the coverage they need to inaccessible medical equipment, facilities, and communication. California can and must do better. Explore the full report: https://bit.ly/CA-state-of-state-2026

DREDF’s Federal Affairs and Partnerships Director, CT, recently joined ADAPT activists in DC to defend affordable, accessible, integrated housing and our right to live in our communities. Full remarks + action: https://tinyurl.com/5n7kfk6y

150+ disability organizations and community members urged San Francisco to withdraw legal arguments that could weaken the ADA and its enforcement. The City refused and declined to meet. Tell San Francisco: Don't threaten accessibility: https://dredf.org/kirola-cta-october-2026/

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying can interfere with a disabled student's right to an education. An updated toolkit can help families understand their rights, schools' responsibilities, and how to take action. Read it: https://bit.ly/bullyingToolkit

Housing is essential to community living. Yet, disabled people face significant barriers to housing, with a severe lack of affordable, accessible housing and income that has not kept up with prices. Explore the full report: https://bit.ly/CA-state-of-state-2026

Every student should have the opportunity to learn. Right now, disabled students in California are separated from their peers, experiencing disproportionate discipline, and facing a shortage of trained staff. Explore the full report: https://bit.ly/CA-state-of-state-2026

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Millions of disabled Californians continue to be excluded from the workforce, and our representation is critical. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/CA-state-of-state-2026

Being out in the community is more important than ever. On October 10, Disability Night Out is inviting disabled people, families, friends, and allies to gather at restaurants across the country and celebrate our right to participate fully in community life. Learn more at: disabilitynightout.org

California has long been an epicenter of civil rights progress. But for millions of disabled Californians, equity remains out of reach. DREDF is highlighting findings from the 2026 State of the State: Disability Policy in California report: https://bit.ly/CA-state-of-state-2026

Thank you, AG Rob Bonta, for affirming his commitment to “upholding the law and will use the full force of my office to protect the rights of Californians with disabilities.” Now we urge him to Sign the Commitment to Community Integration: https://dredf.org/september-2026-tell-bonta-to-sign/

At a time when our freedom to live in our communities is under attack, Congress can reaffirm it with H.R. 1586, a bipartisan House resolution that sends the message that disabled people belong in our communities.  Urge your representative to cosponsor it: https://dredf.org/take-action-res-1586/

We make the choices about our own lives that most people never think twice about: where we live, who we live with, and how we spend our days. Help defend that freedom by taking action with our new guide: https://dredf.org/community-living-is-a-civil-right-2026/

The federal government has erased an important tool for enforcing our right to live in our communities. But it has not taken that right away. DREDF and several organizations condemn this administration’s abandonment of disabled Americans. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4dVqM8m

Sept. 21–27 is International Week of Deaf People. This year’s theme, “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights,” reminds us to celebrate the rich history, culture and impact of Deaf people who have shaped disability rights across generations and advanced human rights. More: https://tinyurl.com/3jrysben

Join us on Oct. 8 for Readily Accessible Lawyering, a training on practical ways attorneys can reduce access barriers and better serve disabled clients. 12 - 1:15 pm PT  MCLE credits available. Register: https://bit.ly/4xunIae

We’re joining AAPD in #DisabilityVotingRightsWeek, a cross-disability, cross-movement week of nonpartisan action and celebration. Join us in becoming an Accessible Democracy Defender: https://www.aapd.com/disability-voting-rights-week/

A public space isn’t truly public if disabled people can’t use it. In Kirola v. San Francisco, the City is making legal arguments that could weaken ADA and Section 504 protections far beyond the city. Learn more: https://dredf.org/kirola-cta-september-2026/

Voucher programs funnel resources away from students with disabilities, complex medical needs, or behavioral challenges to schools that refuse to serve them. DREDF shares insights in this ProPublica article:

Disabled people's access to voting is essential to representative democracy. Join the National Coalition on Accessible Voting Sept. 15 for Voting EVE, a virtual event about the midterms, accessible voting options, voter rights, assistance & resources for disabled voters:

Disabled people have the right to live in our own homes with the support we need. But the federal government is trying to weaken that right.  When 78 organizations asked AG Rob Bonta to sign a commitment defending community living, he didn't respond.  Urge him to sign: https://bit.ly/3TnzxRG

Gregory Kase should still be here. A Deaf man in crisis told deputies, “I can’t hear you.” In less than a minute, he was shot and killed.  We are in solidarity with Gregory’s family and Rochester’s Deaf community as they gather Sept. 9 to mourn, demand accountability & change: https://bit.ly/3SMhfcF

Join World Institute on Disability and @domesticemployers.bsky.social Sept. 15 for Two Sets of Rules, One Household, a free training on benefit rules, DB101 California, and fair home care employment. 1 to 3 pm PT | Virtual Register:

Latest from #TexasVKennedy: The Department of Justice is asking a court to eliminate community integration provisions from Health and Human Services’s Section 504 regulations. We strongly condemn this action.  Read our statement: https://dredf.org/statement-texas-v-kennedy-september-2026/

DREDF and 12 disability and civil rights organizations filed a Supreme Court brief defending protections that help overcome historic discrimination so disabled preschoolers can access equal educational opportunities. Read more: https://dredf.org/smcp-v-roy-amicus-press-release-2026/

Every child should be treated fairly and have the opportunity to learn and build their future.  But new federal guidance makes it harder to address systemic racism impacting who is disciplined, excluded from class, and denied opportunities to learn. Read our response: https://tinyurl.com/5d6z7fym

Disabled people face barriers to dating, relationships and marriage that go far beyond stigma. A new NYT article featuring DREDF's Ayesha Elaine Lewis explores these challenges. Love shouldn't cost someone the supports they need to live. Read:

If disabled people are denied care, housing, mental health services, and supports while discrimination and assisted suicide laws push them down the path of killing themselves, is that really a choice? Learn more about this issue and how to document discrimination: https://tinyurl.com/yc2za78n

September 10th, we're gathering to celebrate the people, creativity, relationships, and shared experiences that make Disability Culture extraordinary. Laugh. Cheer. Connect. And celebrate being loud, proud, and unstoppable! Reserve your spot: https://dredf.org/event/47th-gala/

DREDF opposes the federal “Treatment First” toolkit, which conditions housing on treatment and compliance while ignoring proven evidence of effective Housing First strategies and fundamental human rights. Read more: https://bit.ly/3S3UfWi

DREDF and 70 other CA organizations are asking Gov. Newsom and AG Bonta to publicly affirm California's support for the disability integration mandate. Our freedom was hard won. Defend it.  Read our action alert and letters: https://dredf.org/defend-olmstead-v-lois-curtis/

Disabled people fought for generations for the freedom to live in our communities rather than institutions. Threats to Medicaid, community-based services, and disability civil rights put that freedom at risk. We cannot go backward. Read the TIME article:

Taking away someone's shelter does not solve homelessness. California’s AB 647 would expand authority to tow and destroy RVs people use as homes - putting disabled unhoused people at greater risk. Learn more and take action AB 647 before Aug. 13: https://bit.ly/4wVYLFr

One year ago, the National Guard and expanded federal law enforcement entered DC. Resources should support housing, health care, education, transit, and community for disabled, immigrants, and all community members. DC belongs to the people of DC. Tell your member of Congress: https://bit.ly/4cykzyu

Thank you to DREDF's 2026 summer interns! We're grateful for your hard work, thoughtful contributions, and commitment to disability rights. It has been a privilege to learn alongside you and support your journey. Wishing you all the best as you continue advancing disability rights and justice.

We're excited to welcome Leah Kang to DREDF as our new Supervising Senior Attorney. Leah brings extensive experience in disability rights, civil rights, and racial justice advocacy, and we're thrilled to have her join our team. Learn more about Leah: https://dredf.org/person/leah-kang/

Tell your Senators to support the bipartisan Protecting Students with Disabilities Act (S. 5046) to keep special education and rehabilitative services in the U.S. Department of Education.  Education is a right, and the key to our future. Defend it. Read the statement: https://tinyurl.com/ppnm9wem

Join us tonight for an evening of conversation and connection with author and disability activist Dara Baldwin. Register now!: https://dredf.org/event/lets-talk-about-the-problem-with-author-dara-baldwin/

It's the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA was won through decades of organizing by disabled people, parents, advocates, attorneys + allies. We're proud to have been part of that history + continue to defend the rights the ADA secured. dredf.org/the-making-o...

Disability rights extend to the immigration system. Section 504 protects accessibility rights of disabled people interacting with USCIS, ICE, CBP, and immigration courts, ensuring reasonable accommodations and equal access. Our new guide these protections: https://bit.ly/4fadGW6

No one should have to choose between their basic needs and their future. Reviving the harmful public charge policy will make many immigrant families with disabilities afraid to access essential services.  DREDF opposes this harmful policy. Learn more: