Newsroom (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.
Disability Rights Florida's Statement Regarding the Stoneman Douglas Tragedy
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
The staff of Disability Rights Florida are heartbroken by the tragedy at Stoneman Douglas and our thoughts are with all the students and their families during this difficult time. The state protection and advocacy system's…Disability Rights Florida Negotiates Settlement Providing Comprehensive Reform to Florida’s Prison Inpatient Mental Health Care System
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
TALLAHASSEE – Disability Rights Florida, Florida’s Protection and Advocacy organization for individuals with disabilities, is announcing a settlement agreement signed with the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) which will have widespread impact on the care…Read our 2017 Annual Report
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Disability Rights Florida is pleased to announce the release of our 2017 Annual Report (PDF). You can download our report and many other documents on our Publications page. Read about some of our successes from…Success Story: Jared Martin
Monday, December 11, 2017
The guardian of Jared Martin, an individual with an intellectual disability, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy, contacted Disability Rights Florida about a denial for an increased level of Residential Habilitation services through the iBudget Waiver. The additional Residential…Disability Rights Florida Settles Landmark Lawsuit Against Florida Department of Corrections for Systemic Violations of Disability Laws
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
July 7, 2017, TALLAHASSEE – Disability Rights Florida, Florida’s federally funded Protection and Advocacy organization for individuals with disabilities, has settled an historic federal lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) over its systemic…June 22 is 18th Anniversary of Landmark Olmstead Decision
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Today marks the 18th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Olmstead v. L.C., in which the Court held that unjustified segregation and institutionalization of individuals with disabilities amounted to a form of…Managing Attorney Peter Sleasman Honored by Florida Bar
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
The John J. Copelan, Jr., Award is presented to a member of the Florida Bar who has made significant contributions to the field of public interest law. This year’s award will be presented to Peter Sleasman…City of Jacksonville Settles Housing Discrimination Suits, Agrees to Zoning Revisions and Supportive Housing Options
Friday, May 26, 2017
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA (May 30, 2017) – The City of Jacksonville has agreed to settle lawsuits alleging violations of federal housing and disability regulations stemming from its determination that a proposed housing redevelopment project in the…2018 Public Input Survey: Help Us Plan for Next Year and Beyond
Friday, May 05, 2017
This year, Florida’s statewide Protection and Advocacy system is celebrating 40 years of service to Floridians with disabilities. As we develop our goals and priorities for the upcoming 2018 fiscal year starting October 1, 2017, we…2016 Annual Report Now Available
Friday, February 24, 2017
Disability Rights Florida is pleased to announce the release of our 2016 Annual Report (PDF). You can download our report and many other documents on our Publications page. Read about some of our successes from…Home Care For Seniors And Disabled Must Be Enough To Prevent Nursing Home Entry
Thursday, February 09, 2017
Tallahassee, FL – In her 90s and unhappy with nursing home care, Josephine Hollister, wanted only to go back to her home of forty years to live out her life. Like more than 45 thousand…Big Changes Coming to Florida’s Medicaid Long-Term Care Program
Tuesday, January 03, 2017
After more than a year of litigation, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has settled with four Plaintiffs who challenged AHCA’s management of the Medicaid Long-Term Care (LTC) Program. As of December 1,…Disability Independence Group and Disability Rights Florida Resolve Lawsuit against Miami-Dade Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to Provide Services to Deaf Inmates
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
MIAMI – Disability Independence Group, a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities, and Disability Rights Florida, Florida’s federally-funded Protection and Advocacy system for individuals with disabilities, have resolved a lawsuit…Disability Rights Florida Saddened By Loss of Staff Attorney Bryan Funk
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
We are saddened to announce the loss of a valued member of the Disability Rights Florida team. Bryan Funk passed away on Friday evening, August 19, 2016, surrounded by his wife, family and friends. Bryan…Disability Rights Florida Letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch Regarding Arnaldo Rios
Friday, August 12, 2016
August 5, 2016 The Honorable Loretta Lynch Attorney General United States Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington D.C. 20530-0001 Re: Support for Request for Investigation of Arnaldo Rios Case and Florida's Medicaid Waiver…