I wanted to share some fabulous news: The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement with the District government to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in the District's homeless shelters! More information, thanks to Amber Harding of the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, is below (links to a press release, a Washington Times article, and copies of the DOJ settlement documents).
Also, below is a link to a recent Washington Post article that features Jim Dickson of AAPD. The article talks about the failure of DC taxi cabs to stop for people who use service animals and/or wheelchairs. You can contact Jim at jdickson@aapd.com if you are interested in working with him on ways to address this problem.
Finally, I wanted to make you all aware that the District now has a state-level chapter of The Network on Employment, formerly known as the Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE). You can visit their web site at http://www.dcapse.org to get more information on activities and how to join. Thanks to DC-APSE President, Shonda McLaughlin!
Please share this information with anyone who may be interested.
Many thanks to all and warmest regards, T.J. Sutcliffe, The Arc of DC
LINKS:
1)
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/December/08-crt-1096.html
http://www.ada.gov/dc_shelter_factsheet.html
http://www.ada.gov/dc_shelter.htm#settlement
2) Washington Post article, "On D.C.'s Streets, Blind Injustice"
