News Room (entry)
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.
US Department of Labor (DOL) invites public comment on proposed regulation to stop Subminimum Wage
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
An American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) press release recently announced, “the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), inviting public comment on its proposed regulation to stop the…DRF joins 194 other organizations calling on the FDA to release the final rule banning electrical stimulation devices
Monday, December 09, 2024
Disability Rights Florida (DRF) deeply appreciates the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) continued efforts to ban the use of electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) used to treat self-injurious or aggressive behavior, and we urge the FDA…Florida Medicaid Now Covers Incontinence Supplies
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Background The Florida Health Justice Project and Disability Rights Florida brought a class action lawsuit against Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). AHCA, as the state’s Medicaid agency, was refusing to cover medically necessary…New law will soon enroll Medicaid Recipients into statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Plans
Monday, October 14, 2024
On Medicaid? Expect a notice from Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) soon about enrolling in a Statewide Medicaid Managed Care plan. This year, AHCA will automatically enroll you in a Managed Care plan,…Voting Rights Groups Call for Extension of Florida Voter Registration Deadline
Monday, October 07, 2024
Press release provided below is from the League of Women Voters of Florida website. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today is the deadline to register to vote in Florida. But many communities across the state are still struggling…Disability Rights Florida Signs onto the End Subminimum Wage Coalition Letter to Congress
Friday, September 27, 2024
Disability Rights Florida joins 96 other disability advocacy organizations in its support of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA). TCIEA is the rare kind of legislation that is a win-win-win-win for legislators, state…DRF Investigation Shows Monroe County School District Violates Disabled Students’ Rights
Monday, September 16, 2024
On June 7, 2024, Disability Rights Florida (DRF) filed a state complaint against the Monroe County School District. We found that the district is violating several federal disability civil rights laws, including the Individuals with…Disability Rights Florida Celebrates Disability Voting Rights Week with New Resources and Unprecedented Mail-out
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) is a nonpartisan movement hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP. DVRW is about advocacy, celebrating community, and building power. This year, Disability Voting Rights…Disability Rights Florida Joins Calls to Establish Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program to Fight Food Insecurity
Monday, July 22, 2024
Disability Rights Florida recently signed onto a letter urging the state of Florida to participate in the 2025 Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program (Summer EBT) to help fight food insecurity among low-income children. "Summer EBT is a…Governor Ron DeSantis Officially Signs Supported Decision-Making into Law
Monday, June 17, 2024
On Friday, June 14, 2024, the Florida Governor signed Supported Decision-Making (SDM) into law! Florida joins the 23 other states and the District of Columbia that have passed SDM laws. Now that SDM is law, Florida courts must consider SDM before more restrictive options like…New HHS Regulations Protect Against Discrimination and Improves Language Access
Monday, June 03, 2024
In April, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized regulations to protect people from discrimination and improve language access. The rule is called "Section 1557 (Non-discrimination) of the Patient Protection and…Disability Rights Florida Submits Comments Opposing the Use of Electrical Stimulation Devices on People with Disabilities
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
On behalf of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and the undersigned organizations we write to comment on the proposed ban on electrical stimulation devices (ESD). For decades, disability professionals, provider associations, family groups, consumer-run…Disability Rights Florida’s 2024 Family Café Conference Presentations
Friday, May 24, 2024
Our staff will be at the 2024 Family Café Conference in Orlando, Florida this June! We are hosting a public forum along with many presentations. View the our presentations list for more information. View the entire 2024 Family Café Conference…New DOJ Ruling Clarifies & Enforces ADA Digital Accessibility Requirements
Friday, April 12, 2024
In a historic and exciting ruling, the United States Department of Justice bolsters the digital accessibility requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).DOJ Reaches Settlement with Pasco County School District Following Investigation into Disproportionate Expulsion and Use of Baker Act on Students with Disabilities
Friday, March 08, 2024
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) found that Pasco County School District discriminated against students with disabilities through its use of school discipline, threat assessment practices, and referrals of students to law enforcement. The DOJ will monitor…