Assistant U.S. Attorney Maligns People with Mental Illness and Developmental Delay Based on Stereotype and Stigma

OP-ED: COUNSEL'S CORNER

Reduce Loughner’s Impact: Dispelling the Myths of Violence and Mental Illness

By Annie Hsia, Program Manager

Because of the recent tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, there is a national conversation about the root cause or causes for the shooting. What are people saying? Are they bemoaning the politicization of the nation? Or are they shaking their heads because yet another “crazy lunatic” got hold of a gun and injured so many innocents? It is part of the mission of People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF) to remove stereotype and stigma through education and public awareness.

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COMMUNITY CURRENTS

A One Way Bus Ticket: Is This the Right Way to Help the Homeless?

By Ross Pudaloff, Contributing Writer

Google the words "homeward bound San Francisco Bay Area." You might see a mention of a San Francisco program named “Homeward Bound.” That program provides bus tickets to send the homeless back to their hometowns.

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PWDF NEWS: PROGRAM UPDATES

Advocacy Update

By PWDF Staff

As of February 15, 2011:

1. In our discrimination lawsuits against the Social Security Administration (SSA), Davis v. Astrue and Doe v. Astrue (case nos. 6-6108 MHP and 9-980 MHP), a hearing on our motion for partial summary judgment was held on November 1, 2010. Hon. Marilyn H. Patel decided to put the ball back in SSA’s court. They are ordered to file briefs on the bifurcated issues relating to Plaintiffs’ standing and other jurisdictional concerns. SSA will be filing their first brief by March 11, 2011.

For more information, please see our press release.

2. PWDF participated in the latest Project Homeless Connect event in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on December 8, 2011. We provided on-the-spot advice and referrals, as well as follow-up appointments for those with complex issues regarding their Social Security SSI disability benefits.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Better Late than Never: SFPD Overhauls Crisis Response Training

By Daniel Michael, Interim Deputy Director

In two recent separate incidences in December of 2010, the San Francisco Police Department shot and killed two people with severe mental disabilities who turned out not to be armed and dangerous. The San Francisco Police Commission voted to overhaul the SFPD crisis response training that will direct them to create a crisis-intervention team similar to the Memphis Police Department implemented in the 1980s. Around 25 % of SFPD officers will become part of a specially trained team in response to recent potentially dangerous situations involving the mentally ill.

Next E-Newsletter: The second installment in PWDF’s continuing coverage of relations between law enforcement and people with mental disabilities.

PWDF Profile

Who We Are

People With Disabilities Foundation is an operating 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, which focuses on the rights of the mentally and developmentally disabled.

Services

Advocacy: PWDF advocates for Social Security claimant's disability benefits in eight Bay Area counties. We also provide services in disability rights, on issues regarding returning to work, and in ADA consultations, including areas of employment, health care, and education, among others. There is representation before all levels of federal court and Administrative Law Judges. No one is declined due to their inability to pay, and we offer a sliding scale for attorney's fees.

Education/Public Awareness: To help eliminate the stigma against people with mental disabilities in society, PWDF's educational program organizes workshops and public seminars, provides guest speakers with backgrounds in mental health, and produces educational materials such as videos.

Continuing Education Provider: State Bar of California MCLE, California Board of Behavioral Sciences Continuing Education, and Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.