Disability Rights California

10/12/2026

DRC's Intake line will be closed for Indigenous Peoples' Day.

We will be closed:
Monday October 12, 2025

Normal operations will resume on Tuesday October 13, 2025.

You can reach our intake line at the number 1-800-776-5746 or online at the link: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/get-help

Operating hours are Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 9:00AM – 3:00PM

Our intake line is closed on Wednesdays.


Image Description: Center Text: Intake Line Closed for Indigenous Peoples’ Day Monday 10/12. Above, blue/green DRC logo. Art in the background is a blue painting with flag banners and small jewels. Bottom Text: Art by Linda Yamane

10/10/2026

October 10th is the observance of World Mental Health Day, an opportunity to increase public awareness about the importance of mental health, mental health services, and mental health workers worldwide.

This year's theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), is focused on the power of peers and the importance of meaningfully engaging with people with lived experience (PWLE) of mental health conditions and to recognize their knowledge as a vital form of expertise. Too often, PWLE are asked to share their stories but excluded from decisions. Meaningful engagement extends beyond simply being heard.

Today we reflect, learn from each other, and make steps to strengthen efforts towards making mental health care person-centered, rights-based, and responsive to people's real needs and concerns.
Check out DRC's mental health resources at the link: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/resources/mental-health


Image Description: Text: World Mental Health Day. Illustration below of a head turned in a profile orientation with a visible brain in the head. There is an abstract shape, leaves, and a green ribbon around the head. Bottom Right, Blue/green DRC logo.

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

We're taking a look back at a few highlights from our team at Disability Rights California (DRC) during the month of September! Let's take a look at what everyone was up to in this DRC Monthly Wrap Up!

We look forward to continuing our work in partnership with disabled people to defend rights, advance opportunities, grow power, and expand public support for disability justice in California and beyond.

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) Haben Girma Eric Harris Andy Imparato

10/09/2026

As you make your voting plan for the November election, we want to help by sharing information about the rules and options for signing your ballot return envelope. This clip from our full video explains what to do if you receive a notice about a problem with the signature on your envelope.

This is a brand new video that we are excited to share! You can check out the full video with more tips on our YouTube channel, where we have versions in English and American Sign Language (ASL).
ASL Video Link: https://youtu.be/mMj57__0ktA

If you have a disability, you are allowed to receive help with voting, including signing your envelope and returning your ballot. To learn more about your options for returning your ballot, check out the video we released a few weeks ago: https://youtu.be/q2wGZRYSyhE

If you have questions or are having difficulty voting because of a disability, DRC's hotline for California voters with disabilities is open year-round on weekdays during business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) (and longer hours on Election Day). Call us at (888) 569-7955.

When we vote, we make decisions that impact the lives of everyone around us. Voters with disabilities, like all voters, have a right to vote for who represents us, how taxes are spent, and more. You should not face discrimination in the voting process simply because you have a disability. Make your vote count by this Election Day (November 3)!

We will continue to share voting resources on DRC social media as Election Day gets closer!


Video Description: Vertical video hosted by Tori (a Latina woman with layered dark hair and wearing a button shirt and seated at a table with a living room behind her) and Gracie (a white woman with long curly hairand wears glasses and a ruffled top and is seated on a couch with a dog, later she is seated at a desk). Video shows footage of ballot envelopes, signature boxes, and resources for voters.

10/09/2026

As you make your voting plan for the November election, we want to help by sharing information about the rules and options for signing your ballot return envelope. This clip explains how to find the correct place to sign, why your envelope has holes in it, the option to “sign” with a simple mark instead of your name, and how to have another person “witness” the mark you make so that your ballot gets counted.

This is a brand new video that we are excited to share! You can check out the full video with more tips on our YouTube channel, where we have versions in English and American Sign Language (ASL).
ASL Video Link: https://youtu.be/mMj57__0ktA

The full video also mentions using a signature stamp as another option when you can’t sign your name. Here’s where you can find more information about signature stamps: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/you-can-vote-even-if-you-cant-sign-your-name

If you have a disability, you are allowed to receive help with voting, including signing your envelope and returning your ballot. To learn more about your options for returning your ballot, check out the video we released a few weeks ago: https://youtu.be/3Rx6OKe9ceI

If you have questions or are having difficulty voting because of a disability, DRC's hotline for California voters with disabilities is open year-round on weekdays during business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) (and longer hours on Election Day). Call us at (888) 569-7955.

When we vote, we make decisions that impact the lives of everyone around us. Voters with disabilities, like all voters, have a right to vote for who represents us, how taxes are spent, and more. You should not face discrimination in the voting process simply because you have a disability. Make your vote count by this Election Day (November 3)!

We will continue to share voting resources on DRC social media as Election Day gets closer!

10/08/2026

As you start making your voting plan for the November election, we ...

10/08/2026

Every student should have the opportunity to learn alongside their peers in an inclusive and supportive school setting.

Still, too many disabled students are separated from their peers, face a shortage of trained staff, and experience disproportionate discipline at school.

The new California Disability Leadership Alliance’s 2026 State of the State: Disability Policy in California reports where we’re at and where we need to go.

Inclusion is a right. California can and must do better for our children.

Explore the full report: https://cadisabilityalliance.org/2026-state-of-the-state-disability-policy-in-california/

Cal Voices California Foundation for Independent Living Centers CCB Network Choice in Aging Disability Rights California National Federation of the Blind of California NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Painted Brain

10/08/2026

Disability Rights California (DRC) and the Law Office of Aaron J. Fischer have issued a findings letter identifying significant deficiencies in Butte County’s treatment of incarcerated people with disabilities. The letter concludes that the County fails to provide adequate care and meaningful access to programs and services at the Jail and upon release to the community, in violation of anti-discrimination laws and other constitutional and legal requirements.

You may learn more about the investigation, our findings, and Butte county's response at the full press release at the link: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/press-release/disability-rights-californias-investigation-finds-serious-deficiencies-in-butte

DRC opened its investigation in 2025 after receiving complaints about Jail conditions, services, and inadequate coordination with behavioral health care. DRC found that many people with behavioral health needs were instead held in highly restrictive and dangerous isolation settings, worsening existing conditions and heightening the risk of su***de and self-harm.

The County has stated that it plans to expand Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services at the Jail. We will continue to monitor the County’s Substance Use Disorder (SUD)-related services and programs, including implementation of the County’s MAT expansion.

10/08/2026

If you haven’t made your plan yet for voting in this November’s election, we hope our resource “Make a plan for successful voting!” will help you. This resource is now available in American Sign Language (ASL)!

This 4-page tool guides you through the questions to think about as you make your own voting plan, and it includes a form for you to write your plan. To help you make decisions, it tells you about your different options, including options specifically for voters with disabilities, and it has links to more information.

You can write your voting plan on your computer, using the fillable PDF form, or you can print the form and fill it out on paper. Once you’ve made your plan, you can choose to share it with others who might be helping you to vote.

You can find links to all versions here: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/make-a-plan-for-successful-voting. This resource is available in English and 11 other written languages: Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Persian/Farsi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. It’s also available in American Sign Language (ASL). Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page for your preferred language to access the PDF version, which is formatted for completing it online and/or printing it.

If you have questions or are having difficulty voting because of a disability, DRC’s voting hotline is open year-round on weekdays during business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) (and longer hours on Election Day). Call us at (888) 569-7955.

We will continue to share voting resources on DRC social media as Election Day gets closer!


Image Description: Header Text: Voting Resource. Blue/green DRC logo. Title Text: Make a plan for successful voting! Photo below of a Black man with a dark beard and wearing a beanie, glasses, and t-shirt. He sits in a wheelchair and places his ballot into a box with an American flag and text: Vote. In the background is an electronic ballot marking device. It open from a suitcase-like case and is placed under a tented area.