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.
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…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…