Members of the media who are interested in accessing the extensive disability-related knowledge of Disability Rights Florida attorneys, policy specialists, or staff are encouraged to contact our Communications Director at 800-342-0823 ext 9762 or press@DisabilityRightsFlorida.org to schedule an interview at least 24 hours in advance.

When reporting on people with disabilities, consider disability-inclusive and sensitive language.  For instance, statements like “people with disabilities” and “uses a wheelchair” are preferred instead of “the disabled” or “wheelchair bound.” For more information, see Communicating About People with Disabilities from the National Disability Rights Network and review the National Center on Disability and Journalism’s Style Guide.

 

Celebrating 50 years of the Rehabilitation Act

Friday, September 22, 2023

September 26, 2023, marks 50 years since the passing of the Rehabilitation Act. This Act, also known as the 'Rehab Act,' was the first major disability rights law, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities…

P.A.S.C.O. Coalition Urges DOJ to End Support of Harmful Predictive Policing Program

Friday, September 15, 2023

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – In a letter sent on Tuesday September 12, 2023, the P.A.S.C.O. (People Against the Surveillance of Children and Overpolicing) Coalition asked the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to end its support of Pasco County’s discriminatory predictive…

DRF Advocacy Specialist Amanda Baker Receives Prestigious Self-Advocacy Award 

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Amanda Baker, Advocacy Specialist at Disability Rights Florida, has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Zack Gottsagen Aspire, Advocate, Achieve (A+) Award. Amanda's immense impact, dedication,…

Palm Beach County School District To Revise Its Baker Act Policy After Federal Court Judgment

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

A case against the Palm Beach County School District has ended with the District agreeing to pay $440,000 to students and parents. PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – On July 19, the Palm Beach County School Board…

Why Student Debt Forgiveness and Affirmative Action are Disability Issues

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Recent Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action in college and university admissions and on student debt forgiveness highlight difficult issues regarding race and economic access in higher education.  When we discuss issues of race and…

Disability Rights Florida applauds the introduction of the SAFE Through Medicare Act

Friday, June 30, 2023

DRF Senior Public Policy Analyst Olivia Babis speaking at the SAFE Through Medicare Act event.  Regardless of the state or type of disaster, whenever a natural disaster occurs seniors and people with disabilities remain the most…

Disability Rights Florida Releases Brand New Transition Toolkit Website for Students with Disabilities

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Disability Rights Florida has created a new resource for students with disabilities in their teens. The toolkit, Preparing for Your Successful Transition to Adulthood, gives students with disabilities, their supporters, families, care team, and school…

Disability Rights Florida Sessions at The 2023 Family Café

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Our staff will be at the 2023 Family Café! We are hosting a public forum along with many presentations. View the our presentations list for more information.

DRF Opposes DeSantis Administration’s Plan to Defund Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives and Demands Clarification on Repercussions for Disabled University Students and Staff

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

May 15, 2023 Update -- Senate Bill 266 was passed and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.  We are deeply concerned about the repercussions this will have on students with disabilities amongst other marginalized…

Disability Rights Florida is first disability organization to add American Sign Language (ASL) to website using Signly

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Disability Rights Florida (DRF) recently contracted with UK-based Signly to be the second known US website and first known US disability organization to use Sign Language as a Service (SLaaS) to provide American Sign Language…

Returning to Pre-COVID Medicaid Eligibility: What you should know now about Medicaid Unwinding

Thursday, March 09, 2023

About Medicaid Unwinding  In March of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic started, it was important that people could get medical care. The government created something called the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)”. This gave…

Honoring a Disability Rights Movement Legend: Judith Heumann

Monday, March 06, 2023

Today our hearts are saddened by the passing of legendary disability rights activist and leader Judith (Judy) Heumann. Considered “The Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” Judy was essential to disability rights advocacy and progress.…

Disability Rights Florida calls on AHCA to revise Transition Plan to comply with new federally mandated Home and Community Based Services Settings Rule

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Jan. 19, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Tallahassee, FL -- On December 28, 2022, Disability Rights Florida (DRF) provided detailed comments to the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) raising critical concerns and questions related to…

Help Us Protect Housing Rights: Submit Comments about Florida’s Statewide Transition Plan Home and Community Based Settings Rule CMS 2249-F

Tuesday, December 06, 2022

Floridians with disabilities need your help to protect their housing rights.  The Agency for Healthcare Administration is accepting comments about Florida's Statewide Transition Plan, Home and Community Based Settings Rule CMS 2249-F.  Floridians living in…

Board Member Dr. Elizabeth Perkins Receives Prestigious Disability Award

Friday, December 02, 2022

Congratulations, Dr. Perkins!  We are so proud to share that our board member, Dr. Elizabeth Perkins, is the 2022 recipient of the prestigious George S. Jesien Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of University Centers…
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