Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)

The latest Supreme Court rulings make it clear that the right to be included will be protected for some, while others can be categorically excluded from spaces.

Read DREDF’s statement: https://dredf.org/statement-on-scotus-july-2026/

For many, housing is the difference between the stability to effectively access treatment and support services and cycles of crisis.

CARE Court counsel and advocates need to know how to secure California's housing programs and supports for people with mental health disabilities.

Join DREDF's Claudia Center and Peter Talkington, with Kim Swain (former managing attorney with Disability Rights California, retired), for a practical training on housing advocacy for CARE Court counsel. Hosted by the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD), we'll review available housing programs and supports, recent developments, and strategies to help ensure clients receive the benefits and services for which they are eligible.

Tuesday, June 30, 2026
1:30 pm PT
Virtual
1.25 MCLE General Credits
ASL and CART provided

Register today: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XQXV1zuCQlOSJWwzLIOZuQ #/registration
Also, you can sign up for OSPD's ListServ/SharePoint by completing this form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hb2BXGyzkU6N9DCVsFHM7uRKNuGdk_JOn6e1SNFfAcxUOUFYMENXWU1XRTlJQ1ZFUUZJSFo5R0Q1QS4u

Lois Curtis kept asking her attorney, “Get me out of here. Would you please get me out of here? When am I getting out of here?” when stuck inside a state-run psychiatric facility, despite being cleared to leave.

Today, June 22nd, is the 27th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision holding that disabled people cannot be institutionalized when they want to and can live in the community with supports. Lois Curtis, Elaine Wilson, and their legal team brought this landmark case to secure their release from institutions.

Our right to live in the community is under attack. The U.S. Department of Justice just made it crystal clear they aren’t going to enforce decades of legal precedent of disability rights – their goal is to destroy our rights. This Olmstead anniversary, we’re angry, but we will not stop celebrating and protecting our right to community living. Share your story of why community living matters.

Since May, three more states have dropped out of the Texas v. Kennedy lawsuit. We're now down to just six. Disabled people, families, advocates, and allies have spoken up, contacted their Attorneys General, organized in their communities, and refused to stay silent.

And it's working. We must continue to protect disability rights from this attack. Rest, refuel, fire up – keep up advocacy in the ways you can.

Use the hashtag; we must keep gaining momentum.