Disability Rights Louisiana

This morning, the federal court in Shreveport issued an opinion and remedial order holding that conditions and care at David Wade Correctional Center, near Homer, Louisiana, continue to violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Today’s ruling from the court followed a 14-day bench trial in January and February 2023. The Court has now ordered that the State must remedy the unconstitutional conditions and will appoint experts to ensure that it happens. Disability Rights Louisiana is gratified that the Court has today entered an order that should now force the State to remedy the conditions, previously described as physical and mental torture, and finally provide adequate mental health care, in appropriate conditions of confinement, to men who are incarcerated at David Wade. Melanie Bray, DRLA Director of Legal Programs and Advocacy and lead counsel, stated, “When people with mental illness are sent to a state prison as punishment for a crime, the state has an obligation to provide baseline mental health care to them. The Court has found that mental health care at DWCC remains below minimally acceptable standards, and that men there are continuing to suffer greatly as a result of the state’s indifference. Today’s decision affirms that the state did little to correct the conditions of care even after the Court’s 2022 ruling finding unconstitutional violations. Now, the Court has ordered the appointment of experts to oversee the remedy of those deficiencies.” https://lnkd.in/gWezdDkf

"I’m afraid y’all will forget about me." These heartbreaking words came from a 16-year-old boy with a disability who has spent over a year in an institution—far from his family and the support he needs.? We’ll keep standing with him.?Will you join us? https://lnkd.in/dbzp4en8 He’s one of hundreds of children with disabilities hidden behind institutional walls across Louisiana. Many face neglect, abuse, and are left without access to the mental health care or education they deserve. Without advocates, they risk being left behind—out of sight and out of mind.? We refuse to let that happen.? Through our?Justice Behind Walls?project, we visit these children, listen to their stories, and fight for their rights.?Every visit brings us closer to creating lasting change through legal action and policy reform.? But?we need your help. Your support ensures we can continue this vital work and let these kids know they are not forgotten.? ? $25 helps us travel to meet these children.? ? $50 supports the time we spend documenting their experiences and building a case for change.? ? $100 helps us develop systemic solutions that can protect all children in institutions.? No child should feel invisible.?Together, we can make sure they are seen, heard, and protected.? Donate now?https://lnkd.in/dbzp4en8

Election Day is here! DRLA is offering our Voter Hotline to answer your questions about voting and polling place accessibility issues. Call our toll free number: 1-800-960-7705 Our staff attorneys and advocates are on hand today from the time polls open at 6:00am until closing time at 8:00pm. DRLA's phones lines will be fully dedicated to the Voter Hotline on Election Day, and closed for all other calls. Our regular intake lines will be open again on Wednesday, November 6th at 9am.

Thank you to National Disability Rights Network for featuring our FAIR team on their most recent National Disability Radio podcast! You can listen by clicking the story attached to this post, or click here: https://lnkd.in/eirqNVg7 The Financial Access Inclusion and Resources (FAIR) Program provides support to formerly incarcerated people with disabilities to assist them in achieving their employment, financial, and reentry goals. As National Disability Employment Awareness Month has come to a close, we would like to invite you to learn more about FAIR and our programs that advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to seek competitive employment, and maintain access to relevant services and information, by visiting our website: https://lnkd.in/g_XmjXMS #NDEAM2024

Come out to the Inclusive Halloween Party hosted by Autism Society of Greater New Orleans in Westwego tomorrow (10/19) from 11am to 2pm! DRLA advocates will host a booth with goodies and helpful info--make sure to stop by! More information below: Westwego Farmers Market 484 Sala Ave Westwego, LA 70095 Free Admission provided by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust. Presented by Healthy Blue Louisiana. This event will be inclusive of all dietary restrictions, sensory needs, and age of trick-or treaters. Costumes are encouraged but not required! The event will also include: ? Resources and community organizations ? Free Admission! ? Inclusive Halloween fun! ? Booths required to have both food and non-food treats available

Have you checked to make sure that you are registered to vote in the November 5th Congressional and Presidential Election? Today, October 7th, is the last day to register to vote in person, by mail or at the OMV Office. October 15th is the deadline to register to vote through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s GeauxVote Online Registration System. To check and complete your registration, you can use the free GeauxVote Mobile App--or visit GeauxVote.com. There you can also find your sample ballot, polling place, other deadlines and more.

NOTICE OF RFP Disability Rights Louisiana is seeking proposals from qualified media advertising agencies to provide comprehensive media advertising services. Our goal is to educate people with disabilities regarding their voting rights and procedures for voting leading up to the 2024 U.S. general election. The scope of services includes media buying and content creation across various platforms including television, radio, social media, print media, and other relevant channels. To view the full RFP, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eQNfiN-H - Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by September 27th, 2024 - Format: Submit proposals via email to [email protected] - Questions: Direct any questions or requests for clarification to [email protected] by September 27th, 2024

NOTICE OF RFP Disability Rights Louisiana is seeking proposals from qualified media advertising agencies to provide comprehensive media advertising services. Our goal is to educate people with disabilities regarding their voting rights and procedures for voting leading up to the 2024 U.S. general election. The scope of services includes media buying and content creation across various platforms including television, radio, social media, print media, and other relevant channels. To view the full RFP, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eQNfiN-H - Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by September 27th, 2024 - Format: Submit proposals via email to [email protected] - Questions: Direct any questions or requests for clarification to [email protected] by September 27th, 2024

From September 15th - October 15th we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month! We will highlight events, community members and resources focused on the intersectional experiences of Hispanic and Latino individuals living with disabilities. From the Office of Minority Health - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: On September 18th, from 1-2 pm Central, you can join their bilingual discussion on Twitter to discuss the impact one social determinants of health in #Hispanic/Latino communities, featuring the @CDC Office of Health Equity, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Health Equity, and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Follow OMH and co-hosts on X (Twitter) to join the conversation and use the hashtag #SourceForBetterHealth to participate. For the X chat in English follow: https://lnkd.in/gdhMNbjW For the X chat in Spanish follow: https://x.com/OMH_Espanol

Help Us Improve Wheelchair Repair Services in Louisiana! Have you or a loved one experienced delays or challenges when getting your wheelchair repaired? We want to hear from you! Disability Rights Louisiana is collecting your experiences in order to advocate for better repair services and ensure everyone has timely access to the mobility equipment they need. Share Your Experience: Tell us about your journey with wheelchair repairs—whether it’s been a struggle with long wait times, lack of communication, difficulty in finding or accessing a qualified service technician or any other issues. Your voice can help bring about change and improve services for all. How to Share: Submit your experiences by ? scanning the QR code ? visiting https://lnkd.in/g_rkpdzV ? or contacting Ashley Volion at [email protected]. Together, we can make a difference! #DisabilityRights #WheelchairRepair #AccessibilityForAll