Newsroom (entry)
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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.
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…DRF Joins National Partners in Opposing the Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Disability Rights Florida joined national, state, and local medical, legal, service provider, child advocacy, individuals with lived experience, and disability rights partners in submitting comments to Congress opposing the Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster…Contact Your Representatives to Pass Supported Decision-Making: HB 73 and SB 446
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Two bills that would recognize Supported Decision-Making as an alternative to guardianship in Florida law are currently making their way through the Florida legislature. HB 73 (the House bill) - Supported Decision-Making Authority (Representatives Tant…Stop These Bills That Allow Vehicle Owners to Identify People with Disabilities on Vehicle Registrations
Friday, February 02, 2024
What do these bills do? HB 341 and SB 288 allow the owner of a car or other motor vehicle to share on their motor vehicle registration whether they have any of the following disabilities, or if they…DRF Submits Comments Opposing AHCA's Language Changes to the Developmental Disabilities Individual Budgeting (iBudget) Waiver
Monday, January 08, 2024
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has proposed significant language changes to its Medicaid Developmental Disabilities (“iBudget”) Waiver. These proposed changes include: Changing the title of the iBudget Waiver from the “Developmental Disabilities…DRF Commends the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Effort to Enhance Nursing Home Care Quality through Minimum Staffing Standards & Medicaid Payment Transparency
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Disability Rights Florida submitted comments to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in November regarding their initiative to set minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities and bring transparency to institutions' Medicaid payment…DRF Joins National Partners in Support of Implementing Section 504 Regulations on Discrimination in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities
Friday, December 08, 2023
On November 13, 2023, Disability Rights Florida joined national, state, and local partners in commenting on the proposed rule, Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities. This long-awaited…Appeals Court Reviewing Florida's Wet Signature Voter Registration Rules
Thursday, December 07, 2023
Earlier this year, Disability Rights Florida and three other disability voting rights organizations, including Vote.org, the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, and the Florida State Conference of the NAACP, filed a lawsuit challenging Florida's "wet…Disability Rights Florida Solidarity with LGBTQ+ Community
Wednesday, November 08, 2023
Disability Rights Florida strongly condemns discrimination and bigotry against the LGBTQ+ community, including individuals with disabilities identifying as LGBTQ+. We believe that protecting the civil and human rights of all people is of utmost importance,…DRF Endorses Federal Legislation Protecting the Critical Needs of Disaster-Impacted People With Disabilities
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Disability Rights Florida (DRF), Florida’s designated protection and advocacy agency, joins with other disability and aging leaders and community stakeholders in calling on the federal government to address the critical needs of disaster-impacted people with…