Disability Rights California

05/30/2026

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! This month and beyond, let's celebrate the AANHPI community for the incredible value they bring to all our lives!

We'd like to uplift a few key activists, community organizers, educators, and organizations in the AANHPI community! May this serve as an introduction into learning more about the great work so many activists with disabilities and organizations accomplish!

Beyond this month, let's continue to uplift and ensure all communities are included and applauded for their work and existence.

05/30/2026

DRC wants to hear from you! You as our community are essential to our mission and work for 2027. If you have the time, please take the survey and give us your feedback on our action plans and future goals! Our annual survey has launched and we’re collecting responses until June 7, 2026.

The survey also includes versions in Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). If you need help with the survey, please call (800) 776-5746 and say, “I need help with your survey.”

Visit the link to participate: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/latest-news/we-want-to-hear-from-you-2026-disability-rights-california-survey

This is great opportunity to identify areas of improvement, provide outreach recommendations, and provide feedback to DRC’s planned work for 2027. We greatly appreciate those who are able to take the survey and give important feedback that will help shape next year’s goals.


Image Description: Header Text: 2026 Survey. Blue/green DRC logo. Title Text: We’re Reaching Out! Text: Visit the link and give DRC your input as we review and revise the priorities of our work for 2027. Cut out group photo of smiling children in a big group hug. Scribble pattern behind.

05/30/2026

Starting tomorrow (May 30), additional vote centers open for in-person voting and other voting services in counties running their elections under the California Voter's Choice Act (VCA). They will be open every day from May 30 through Election Day (June 2). Find the list of VCA counties at the link: https://www.sos.ca.gov/voters-choice-act/vca-participating-counties

In addition, all non-VCA counties will have at least one location open for in-person voting and other voting services on Saturday, May 30.

To learn the hours of operation of these voting locations, check the materials your county elections office mailed to you, your county’s elections website, or https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.

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 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day). Call us at (888) 569-7955.

This is our last social media post sharing voting resources before Election Day. If you haven't voted yet, make sure you have a plan!

05/29/2026

Town Hall on MONDAY!

Learn more and register at the link: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/events/Learn-About-How-the-Governors-May-Budget-Revision-Impacts-People-with-Disabilities

Governor Newsom’s May Revision of his proposed 2026–27 state budget was recently unveiled. The budget includes several concerning cuts to critical programs Californians with disabilities depend on. Join us for a virtual town hall with DRC’s public policy experts to learn about the latest updates to the state budget and how it may impact people with disabilities.

The town hall will explore topics such as regional center services, Medi-Cal, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), housing, mental health, and education. There will also be a Q&A portion at the end of the town hall.

Register for this virtual town hall at the link: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/events/Learn-About-How-the-Governors-May-Budget-Revision-Impacts-People-with-Disabilities

Conrad Crump
Image Description: Header Text: Virtual Town Hall. Title Text: Learn About How the Governor's May Budget Revision Impacts People with Disabilities. Text: June 1, 2026 at 5:00PM. Blue/green DRC logo. Graphic image of the California Capitol building and a seal of California.

05/29/2026

In recognition of May Mental Health Awareness Month, we put together a collection of moments from our past guests who shared their wisdom and personal experiences with Mental Health. We're proud to uplift Vanessa Clementine Ramos, Kelechi Ubozoh, Roque Bucton, Yolo Akili Robinson, and Dolores Canales.

Although this month will soon come to an end, we must continue to share our stories and lend each other support.

Watch the full episodes at the links below!
Vanessa Ramos, Episode 101, A World Where We Get to Be Right Together: https://youtu.be/yLxp62wQwYQ?si=elrwSK4P7C07v73i
Roque, Episode 104, A Glittering Realm: https://youtu.be/CDPP10AUw2Y?si=H-QOeUpTq-T1bjCT
Kelechi and Yolo, Episode 107, Growing Into Gardens: https://youtu.be/J1BF_hYcWpc?si=Nd0mOzr4o5B9XZ4D
Dolores, Episode 106, Absolute Deprivation is Not the Solution: https://youtu.be/CYazWGJWT9o?si=v4NgiNV7oscWXwgq

Content warning: This video contains mention of su***de. If you are experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, you can call 988 anytime. Help is available, and you are not alone.

Eric Harris

05/29/2026

On May 14, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom released the May Revision of his proposed 2026-27 state budget. We are disappointed that Governor Newsom’s May Revision reduces access to the services many people with disabilities need to survive and thrive in California.

Last year, Congress passed H.R. 1 which made extreme cuts to funding for vital health and human services. As a result, California could lose up to $30 billion in funding for Medi-Cal each year, with as many as 3.4 million people losing coverage. The governor’s proposed budget still does not account for these federal cuts or backfill these services.

Learn more and explore DRC's full summary of the budget at the link: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/latest-news/disability-rights-californias-summary-of-the-governors-proposed-may-revision-2026-27

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

More photos from this week's 2nd Annual CDLA Day of Action at the Capitol! This year's rally was energizing; over 500 advocates, disabled community members, and elected leaders gathered outside the State Capitol to demand NO balancing the budget on the backs of people with disabilities. We were joined by a number of incredible advocates who spoke passionately on the various issues of the day, and we thank Assemblymembers Bryan, Tom Lackey, and Jeff Gonzalez for joining us and offering their remarks in support of disabled people.

Thank you to all who came out to join us and raise our demands! NO CUTS at the expense of the disability community!

Assemblyman Tom Lackey Eric Harris Andy Imparato

05/28/2026

ABC10 covered disability advocates' current fight against Governor Gavin Newsom's May Revise Budget. This year for the second California Disability Leadership Alliance (CDLA) Day of Action at the Capitol, we showed up over 500 people strong to demand NO cuts to health care, special education, and NO to the reinstating of the asset limit test.

For seniors and people with disabilities who receive Medi-Cal linked with their Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Newsom proposes reinstating strict limits on how much money they could have in their bank accounts ($2,000 for an Individual and $3,000 for couples) to remain eligible for benefits and services.

People with disabilities and older adults are forced into poverty, otherwise they risk losing access to health care and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). IHSS makes it possible for people with disabilities to live in their homes, independently, and in their community. When people lose IHSS, that can mean not being able to go to the restroom, not being able to access medication, risking injury, and potential death. These services are essential to Californians with disabilities. Governor Newsom does not get to balance the budget on the backs of people with disabilities!

Check out the full article at the link: https://www.abc10.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/to-the-point-ott-kxtv/its-so-unreasonable-advocates-lawmakers-fight-strict-financial-limits-for-medi-cal-eligibility-for-disabled-seniors/103-20e5ae50-f2b0-4905-ad0b-bb81c6588e2e

05/28/2026

In honor of May Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re proud to present Eric’s conversation with Jason Robison, the Director of Advocacy at SHARE!, the Self-Help and Recovery Exchange. SHARE is a very special and impactful peer-run organization in Los Angeles County. Together, the two discuss Jason’s 30-year journey in recovery from drug abuse and mental health, they talk about how the peer-to-peer model is an antidote to shame, and break down how the CARE Act is a step in the wrong direction for California. Jason brings his sage-like energy to everything he does, from mental health and recovery advocacy to gardening, creative writing, and surfing. This episode is one big wave, and we hope you enjoy the ride. As a grassroots production, we greatly value your support. Please subscribe, comment, rate, review, and share The Game Plan.

Watch it on YouTube with ASL, at the link:

You can also access the audio version of the podcast on the platforms below!
Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/disabilityrightscalifornia/p/its-just-healing-the-game-plan-episode?r=5wqpd0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-just-healing-the-game-plan-episode-13/id1833321524?i=1000770046924
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7fFWfUFx577I8OgJSfuSMr?si=ehBJnYyXQr-P0cyUPqZYng
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e6d9616d-4b76-4e14-a135-93ce68735417/episodes/586bdb64-1591-414e-a32b-166962782dbb/the-game-plan-a-disability-rights-california-podcast-it%E2%80%99s-just-healing-the-game-plan-episode-13

Eric Harris SHARE Self-Help
Image Description: Large image of podcast cover art. Text: The Game Plan A Disability Rights California Podcast. Illustration of an outline of a wheelchair basketball athlete tossing a ball in the are. Game play doodles in the background. Bottom Text: It's Just Healing | The Game Plan Ep. 13 with Jason Robison. Check it out!