Newsroom (P60)
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.
Returning to Pre-COVID Medicaid Eligibility: What you should know now about Medicaid Unwinding
Thursday, March 09, 2023
About Medicaid Unwinding In March of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic started, it was important that people could get medical care. The government created something called the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)”. This gave…Honoring a Disability Rights Movement Legend: Judith Heumann
Monday, March 06, 2023
Today our hearts are saddened by the passing of legendary disability rights activist and leader Judith (Judy) Heumann. Considered “The Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” Judy was essential to disability rights advocacy and progress.…Disability Rights Florida calls on AHCA to revise Transition Plan to comply with new federally mandated Home and Community Based Services Settings Rule
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Jan. 19, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tallahassee, FL -- On December 28, 2022, Disability Rights Florida (DRF) provided detailed comments to the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) raising critical concerns and questions related to…Help Us Protect Housing Rights: Submit Comments about Florida’s Statewide Transition Plan Home and Community Based Settings Rule CMS 2249-F
Tuesday, December 06, 2022
Floridians with disabilities need your help to protect their housing rights. The Agency for Healthcare Administration is accepting comments about Florida's Statewide Transition Plan, Home and Community Based Settings Rule CMS 2249-F. Floridians living in…Board Member Dr. Elizabeth Perkins Receives Prestigious Disability Award
Friday, December 02, 2022
Congratulations, Dr. Perkins! We are so proud to share that our board member, Dr. Elizabeth Perkins, is the 2022 recipient of the prestigious George S. Jesien Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of University Centers…Disability Rights Florida stands in solidarity with Florida's transgender and gender non-conforming youth in response to Florida's gender-affirming healthcare ban
Wednesday, November 09, 2022
Disability Rights Florida stands in solidarity with transgender and gender non-conforming people who were recently stripped of their right to access essential, medically-necessary gender-affirming healthcare. Disability Rights Florida is disheartened and deeply disappointed by the…Disability Rights Florida submits comments opposing proposed amendments to the Florida Administrative Code Rule 59G-1.050 which excludes gender-affirming care from Medicaid coverage
Thursday, July 07, 2022
The Amendments proposed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which exclude gender-affirming care from Medicaid coverage, are discriminatory and motivated by politics rather than medicine. The Amendments will cause unnecessary and disproportionate harm…Disability Rights Florida responds to the recent decision by the Supreme Court
Friday, June 24, 2022
Disability Rights Florida advocates for the rights of people with disabilities. Our mission includes a commitment to protect and advance the rights of all people with disabilities, including the right to bodily autonomy, the right…Comment Regarding Florida’s Statewide Transition Plan Home and Community Based Settings Rule CMS 2249-F and CMS 2296-F
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Floridians living in Home and Community Based Settings (HCBS) like assisted living facilities and group homes currently have few protections from unlawful, arbitrary, and discriminatory eviction. A federal rule (the HCBS rule), effective in March…Disability Rights Florida argue for protection of the rights of people with mental illness at Florida Supreme Court
Thursday, February 10, 2022
People with mental illness have a constitutional right to be in the same courtroom with the judge who will decide whether they will be committed to a mental health facility against their will. During the…Disability Rights Florida Reaches Settlement with Florida Department of Corrections Requiring Systemic Reforms to Treatment of Incarcerated People with Disabilities
Thursday, November 18, 2021
November 19, 2021, TALLAHASSEE – Disability Rights Florida, the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy system for individuals with disabilities, has reached a settlement with the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) requiring the FDC to improve…Advocacy Groups, Parents and Students Sue Palm Beach County School District for Harmful, Illegal Use of the Baker Act
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – Today, a group of Palm Beach County parents and students, Disability Rights Florida, and the Florida State Conference of the NAACP sued the School Board of Palm Beach County and…Message from our Executive Director: Disability Rights Florida now accepting responses for 2022 Public Input Planning Survey!
Friday, May 14, 2021
Each year, Disability Rights Florida (DRF) is federally required to conduct a Public Input Survey. The purpose of this survey is to gather information and opinions that will assist our organization’s leadership in setting its…Disability Rights Florida joins 161 organizations calling for the rescission of the Interim Final Rule “Temporary FMAP Increase During the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19"
Friday, April 09, 2021
Disability Rights Florida (DRF) joined 161 other organizations serving individuals with disabilities to ask the Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to rescind an Interim Final Rule…DRF Public Testimony for HB1221: Disability Abortions
Tuesday, April 06, 2021
Delivered by Olivia Babis, Senior Public Policy Analyst, Disability Rights Florida I have worked with many of you for three sessions now. To get to committee meetings and one-on-one meetings with you I have had to…