Update

Education Program Update

By: PWDF Staff

On March 21, 2017, People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF) Legal Director, Steven Bruce, presented a workshop on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) (Title II) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Title XVI) Work Incentive Rules and Overpayments at NAMI San Francisco.  The workshop covered issues that may arise for beneficiaries with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities when undergoing a work review by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

In June 2017, PWDF will be meeting with disability leaders from the country of Georgia as part of the US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The visitors from Georgia want to discuss integration of those with severe mental illness into the whole of society.  We will report on this meeting in our next e-newsletter.

PWDF recently agreed to make a presentation in November 2017 to doctors at the University of California San Francisco’s Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics.  More information will be provided in our next e-newsletter.

On March 22, 2017, PWDF attended Project Homeless Connect 67 (PHC 67).  PWDF staff Tom Ambrose, Sandy Prieto, and Todd Leachman staffed a table in shifts at the event.  PHC enables nonprofit medical, social service, and other providers to serve homeless San Franciscans with comprehensive services.

PWDF Program Coordinator for Public Awareness and Education Laurence Jones went to The Alameda County Transition Information Faire on Saturday, March 24, 2017. The Faire was hosted by Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Council at the College of Alameda. PWDF was one of many organizations demonstrating and discussing services they provide for families and individuals in transitional age youth populations between 16 to 24 years of age.  In between workshops presented by peer organizations, approximately 40 individuals came to the PWDF booth to learn about our services, discuss their challenges and took information about how PWDF might be able to assist them.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest information and media updates from PWDF. For inquiries about PWDF’s Public Awareness and Education Program, please contact Executive Director April Banerjee at education@pwdf.org.

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.