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Image: "Celebrate the 34th Anniversary of the ADA Americans with Disabilities Act" + Portraits of DRA clients + US Congress building + Disability Pride flag
Image: "Celebrate the 34th Anniversary of the ADA Americans with Disabilities Act" + Portraits of DRA clients + US Congress building + Disability Pride flag
In This Issue
* Letter from the President & CEO (#President)
* A Conversation with Emily Ladau (#Conversation)
* 2024 Annual Nationwide Gala (#Gala)
* Impact Report (#Impact)

Letter from the President & CEO

Dear DRA Supporters,

July is here which means two very important things: Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). And given recent Supreme Court decisions, celebrating this month is ever more important! Disability Pride Month is a time where communities across the nation celebrate the many ways people with all types of disabilities contribute to society. DRA has joined disability pride celebrations across the nation in recent weeks, and we want to thank each and every one of you who has come out to commemorate this important month that brings visibility to so many of us living with disabilities and highlights all of our talents and gifts.

Today, July 26^th, marks the 34^th anniversary of the ADA, and anyone who knows DRA history understands how deeply entwined and symbiotic DRA (founded three short years after the ADA’s passage) and the ADA have always been. The vision of the ADA, a robust federal civil rights law, is prohibition of discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADA, on paper, guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else when it comes to many spheres of life—employment, healthcare, technology, entertainment, recreation, and transportation just to name a few. But in order to make that vision a reality, the ADA has always required enforcement through the court system. That’s where DRA comes in!

DRA’s founders created this organization to tackle systemic, illegal barriers facing people with disabilities. For the last three decades, together with disability community organizations across the country, DRA has identified healthcare providers, higher education institutions, municipalities, employers (and the list goes on) who illegally discriminate against people with disabilities. And through one precedent-setting lawsuit after another, DRA uses the ADA (and other laws) to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities—requiring those discriminating entities to remove barriers and move towards inclusion.

Recently the Supreme Court released its decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, overturning the 40-year old Chevron doctrine. This doctrine required federal courts to afford deference to federal agencies that had reasonably interpreted ambiguous laws when they created federal regulations governing civil rights, disability rights, health care, emergency preparedness, recreation, and more. Federal courts now will no longer need to grant deference to longstanding regulations and regulatory guidance that that provides important detail that informs the broader statutory language.

The implications of this decision could be devastating for people with disabilities if we are not vigilant in counteracting attacks on important regulations and longstanding precedent. Fortunately, DRA is here, with our 31 years of expertise fighting in the courtroom for the rights of people with disabilities, to make certain that devastation does not come to pass.

In this new, post-Chevron doctrine reality, DRA can and will protect the ground-breaking precedents we have set. And DRA is remaining vigilant to ensure that future regulations, decided through the federal courts, uphold our vision of equality for people with disabilities in all key areas of life.

On that note, to celebrate the ADA’s anniversary, I’m proud to share that DRA today has filed a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles ([link removed]) for denying equal access to the City’s newly constructed and renovated public park facilities. People in Los Angeles with disabilities deserve to be able to safely access their neighborhood parks and DRA can and will fight to make sure that park facilities comply with the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and California Law.

This type of legal advocacy is what we were built for in 1993, shortly after the ADA was passed. We will continue, as we have for more than three decades, even without the Chevron doctrine in place, to ensure a world free from discrimination, where people with disabilities are valued members of their communities with equal access to opportunity.
Rebecca Williford holding the disability pride flag at the 2023 Chicago Disability Pride Parade

Happy ADA Day and Disability Pride Month,
Rebecca Williford signature
Rebecca Williford
President & CEO, Disability Rights Advocates

Image: Rebecca Williford holding the disability pride flag at the 2023 Chicago Disability Pride Parade
Three DRA staff wearing DRA t-shirts sitting at the DRA booth at 2024 Chicago Disability Pride Parade

Two DRA staff wearing DRA t-shirts sitting at the DRA booth at Disability Unite Festival NYC 2024

Image 1: Three DRA staff wearing DRA t-shirts sitting at the DRA booth at 2024 Chicago Disability Pride Parade
Image 2: Two DRA staff wearing DRA t-shirts sitting at the DRA booth at Disability Unite Festival NYC 2024
A Conversation with Emily Ladau
Image: Portrait of Emily Ladau

Portrait of Emily Ladau

We’re thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of DRA’s Board of Directors: Emily Ladau ([link removed]) . Emily is a passionate disability rights activist, writer, storyteller, and digital communications consultant. She is the author of Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally ([link removed]) .

How did you first learn about DRA?

I’ve long known of DRA’s vital work, but officially connected with them as they began to seek out media ambassadors for the 2023 Gala. This connection continued to grow as we found ways to collaborate and amplify DRA’s work, particularly through a monthly column that Rebecca Williford, DRA’s President and CEO, writes for Able News ([link removed]) , where I serve as Editor.

Why do you think DRA’s work is urgent and important?

It seems that disability rights—and more broadly, civil and human rights—are being rolled further back every single week. DRA’s work is giving disabled people, especially those who hold multiple marginalized identities, a fighting chance to survive and thrive in an increasingly tumultuous time.

Read the rest of the conversation here ([link removed]) .
Join Us for DRA's November 13th Gala!
“Disability Rights Advocates – 2024 Nationwide Gala, November 13, 2024, San Francisco and New York City” + Colorful abstract shapes
Image: “Disability Rights Advocates – 2024 Nationwide Gala, November 13, 2024, San Francisco and New York City” + Colorful abstract shapes

On Wednesday, November 13th, Disability Rights Advocates will host our second Annual Nationwide Gala. Building on the enormous success of our 30th Anniversary Gala last year, DRA’s 2024 celebration includes in-person gatherings in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, as well as a livestream that allows us to welcome our entire community of supporters.
Learn More About DRA’s Gala ([link removed])
Purchase Your Table or Tickets Today ([link removed])
Can't Attend? Make a Donation ([link removed])
Impact Report
DRA staff, clients & co-counsel gathered outside the courthouse in NYC holding a large banner saying "Elevators Are For Everyone"

DRA staff, clients & co-counsel gathered outside the courthouse in NYC

DRA client Sasha Blair-Goldensohn being interviewed by a man with a camera and microphone outside the courthouse in NYC

Images from outside the courthouse in NYC after a May 2024 court hearing
Image 1: DRA staff, clients & co-counsel gathered outside the courthouse in NYC holding a large banner saying "Elevators Are For Everyone"
Image 2: DRA staff gathered outside the courthouse in NYC
Image 3: DRA staff, clients & co-counsel gathered outside the courthouse in NYC
Image 4: DRA client Sasha Blair-Goldensohn being interviewed by a man with a camera and microphone outside the courthouse in NYC
Access to Los Angeles Public Parks for People with Mobility Disabilities

Today, DRA filed a class action lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles ([link removed]) for denying full and equal access to newly constructed and renovated public park facilities to people with mobility disabilities.

Denial of Accommodations for Deaf Prisoners in Tennessee

In July, a judge ruled that the Tennessee Department of Correction violated federal law ([link removed]) by failing to provide sign language interpreters and videophones to deaf prisoners. (Tennessean ([link removed]) )
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