News Room
Members of the media who are interested in accessing the extensive disability-related knowledge of Disability Rights Florida attorneys, policy specialists, or staff are encouraged to contact our Communications Director at 800-342-0823 ext 9762 or press@DisabilityRightsFlorida.org to schedule an interview at least 24 hours in advance.
When reporting on people with disabilities, consider disability-inclusive and sensitive language. For instance, statements like “people with disabilities” and “uses a wheelchair” are preferred instead of “the disabled” or “wheelchair bound.” For more information, see Communicating About People with Disabilities from the National Disability Rights Network and review the National Center on Disability and Journalism’s Style Guide.
Disability Rights Florida Warns Against Broad Medicaid Fraud Claims That Could Put Home and Community-Based Services at Risk
Friday, March 13, 2026
Disability Rights Florida is urging policymakers to protect home and community-based services as Congress holds a hearing March 17, 2026, on Medicaid fraud. The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations announced a…Disability Rights Florida Joins 173 Organizations Urging HUD to Preserve Key Protections Against Housing and Lending Discrimination
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Fair Housing Alliance® (NFHA™), leading a coalition of 174 civil rights, fair housing, fair lending, and social justice organizations, filed a comment asking the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)…Disability Rights Florida: Preventable Deaths Continue in State Mental Health Hospitals
Monday, February 23, 2026
A new report from Disability Rights Florida raises urgent concerns about patient safety inside Florida’s state-run mental health treatment facilities, concluding that staff negligence played a significant role in at least six patient deaths over…What the End of the Government Shutdown Means for People with Disabilities
Monday, November 17, 2025
The recent government shutdown has ended, and funding for vital programs is back in place. This is a relief for many people with disabilities and their families who rely on federal programs to meet their…Osceola County families, students, and school staff: Disability Rights Florida wants to hear from you
Friday, November 07, 2025
Disability Rights Florida is watching recent changes in Osceola County schools with concern. This summer the district announced a restructuring of special education that moves many specialized classrooms into a smaller number of hub schools…Update: Government Shutdown and Essential Benefits
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
The federal government shutdown is now in its fourth week, with no clear end in sight. As we explained earlier, Congress has not passed a funding bill, leaving millions of people without access to critical…Disability Rights Florida Signs Coalition Statement Urging Reversal of Department of Education Layoffs
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Disability Rights Florida has joined a broad coalition of national, state, and local disability, civil rights, and education organizations today in signing a joint statement calling for an immediate reversal of recent layoffs at the…What the Government Shutdown Means for People with Disabilities
Friday, October 03, 2025
When the federal government “shuts down,” it means Congress has not passed a budget or temporary funding plan. Without this funding, many government offices and programs cannot keep running normally. Some services stop or slow…Disability Rights Florida Opposes Legislation that Threatens Community-Based Mental Health Services
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Disability Rights Florida joins the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Rights Task Force in opposing H.R. 4022, the Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act. If passed, this bill would direct tens of billions of dollars…Cherie Hall Named Executive Director of Disability Rights Florida
Tuesday, June 03, 2025
TALLAHASSEE, FL— Disability Rights Florida (DRF), the state’s Congressionally mandated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cherie Hall as its new executive director. Hall brings over…Disability Rights Florida Speaks Out Against HUD’s New Housing Rule
Tuesday, May 06, 2025
Disability Rights Florida has submitted a formal comment opposing a new proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The rule, called the 2025 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Interim Final Rule…450+ Organizations Join AAPD In Letter to Congress re: HHS Restructuring
Wednesday, April 02, 2025
On Friday, March 28, Disability Rights Florida joined the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and more than 450 disability, civil rights, aging, mental health, and patient organizations sent a letter to majority, minority,…Social Security Administration Launches New Applicant Survey
Thursday, January 16, 2025
The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Office of Retirement and Disability Policy (ORDP) will soon send applicants a New Applicant Survey (NAS) to collect important information about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income…DRF Joins National Coalition for Gender Justice in Health Policy Calls on Congress to Protect Medicaid
Thursday, January 09, 2025
On January 8, 2025, 134 members of the National Coalition for Gender Justice in Health Policy and allied organizations called on Congress to protect Medicaid from any cuts, such as per capita caps, block grants,…Disability Rights Florida Files Lawsuit Against Florida Department of Children and Families for Unlawfully Failing to Track Baker Act Use
Friday, December 13, 2024
Helpful Terms Involuntary Psychiatric Examination: a legal process where a person is taken to a mental health facility for evaluation against their will, typically when there is a reasonable belief that they have a mental…