May 2018 E-Newsletter

In This Issue

Re-Introducing Stuart Seaborn

Stuart SeabornDRA’s team is busier than ever tackling inequities and bringing about justice for people with disabilities across the nation. To help lead this charge in California, we’re thrilled to welcome Stuart Seaborn back to DRA. Stuart has worked for DRA as an administrator, a lawyer, a Director of Litigation and now, after a short stint away, Stuart is DRA’s Managing Director, Litigation—joining Sid Wolinsky, Michelle Caiola and Kate Hamilton in guiding the organization forward. A seasoned litigator and passionate civil rights advocate, Stuart spoke with Kate Hamilton about what he learned while he was away, DRA’s current work and what is ahead.

Our New Manhattan Office

On May 16th, we welcomed more than 40 of our supporters to our new, expanded Manhattan offices. Guests enjoyed beautiful artwork (created by people with disabilities and made possible through the generous support of Evan Davis, Stephen and Elizabeth Foresta, Jean Mitchell and Fred Cannon, and Outten & Golden), delicious food, and a wine tasting led by friends from Wheeling Forward.

Thanks to your generous support, DRA is now equipped to accommodate new growth, better serve our clients, and ensure all New Yorkers have equal opportunities. See below for more images of the new space!

 

Sid Wolinsky, Co-Founder and Managing Director, sits beneath artwork generously donated by friends of DRA.

DRA staff and Alex Elegudin, co-founder of Wheeling Forward, enjoy food and conversation.

Advisor Steve Foresta and board member Nana Antwi-Ansorge smile for a photo.

 

Rebecca Rodgers, Staff Attorney, and Kate Hamilton, Managing Director, Development & Operations, enjoy the evening.

Sponsor DRA’s 25th Anniversary Gala Today!

An rendering of an eagle with the text: DRA 25 years, Four Seasons, San Francisco, Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Now is the time to show your support for DRA by becoming a sponsor of our 25th Anniversary Gala!  The gala is DRA’s annual fundraising dinner, celebrating disability rights heroes and raising critical funds to support DRA’s ongoing work.  The soiree, which will take place on Thursday, October 25th at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco, will help DRA establish, in perpetuity, the Larry Paradis Legacy Fund. Event sponsors and guests will enjoy conversation, drinks and appetizers overlooking the San Francisco skyline followed by a seated, sumptuous dinner and inspiring stage presentation.

Complete the sponsorship form today or email Kate Hamilton at khamilton@dralegal.org for more information.  Individual tickets will be available for purchase in September.

Impact Report

DRA fights discrimination against college students with mental health disabilities
the archway at Stanford University's "oval"On May 17th, DRA filed a class action lawsuit against Stanford University for violating the rights of students with mental health disabilities. Stanford routinely responds to student mental health crises by barring students from campus and evicting them from on-campus housing.
The Department of Justice agrees: MTA neglected accessibility at a Bronx station
Concrete stairs inside a subway station, flanked by metal handrails and tiled walls. A sign above says "Exit, 72 Street & Central Park West, SW corner."On March 13, 2018, the Department of Justice joined DRA’s suit Bronx Independent Living Services v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which takes on the MTA’s failure to install an elevator in the Middletown Road subway station. On April 27th, 2018, a federal judge certified a class in the same case.
DRA takes on Uber and Lyft–on their home turf
Traffic on San Francisco's Bay Bridge.As the ridesharing industry grows, it continues to leave customers with disabilities behind. Uber and Lyft advertise wheelchair-accessible service, but the service is almost never available. This spring, DRA sued both companies on their “home turf”–the Bay Area.
DRA documents mistreatment of youth with disabilities at California correctional centers
A close-up picture of a wire fence.On February 22, 2018, DRA and our partners at Disability Rights California released a 50-page report, based on months of research, alleging that Kern County’s juvenile correctional facilities discriminate against youth with disabilities.