Author: FREED

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Disability Rap

Disability Rap – March 6, 2023

Self-Acceptance and Inclusion: A National Disability Awareness Month Special

We mark National Disability Awareness Month by chatting with our FREED colleagues about the journey of self-acceptance as people with disabilities and the pride they feel as part of the disability community. Our guests share what it means to have disability pride in a world where we are still fighting for awareness and inclusion, and they discuss the importance of people with disabilities supporting each other. We’re joined by Brian Snyder, FREED’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Lindsay Wells, our Information and Referral Specialist, and Jennique Lee, the Program Manager for our Yuba City office. We also mark the passing of legendary disability rights activist Judy Heumann, who died on Saturday at the age of 75.

Click here to listen to the show and/or read the transcript.

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Disability Rap

Disability Rap – July 4, 2022

Inclusivity in the California Court System

On today’s show, we’re joined by Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Andi Mudryk, the first openly transgender person in California history to be appointed by a governor to a seat on the California bench. Disability Rap listeners may remember that Andi joined us on the show last year when she was Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Rehabilitation. In that interview, we talked with Andi about her career in civil rights law, primarily focusing on advocacy for people with disabilities, as well as her personal experiences as someone with a physical disability. On this episode of Disability Rap, Judge Andi Mudryk speaks to us about the intersection of LGBTQIA+ Pride and Disability Pride and about how representation in the courts builds trust with communities and helps create a more just and equitable future.

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Disability Rap

Disability Rap – November 1, 2021

Ford Foundation’s Rebecca Cokley on the Infrastructure Bill and the State of the Disability Rights Movement

As Congress and the White House actively negotiate the terms of the Build Back Better package, we spend today’s show with Rebecca Cokley, a Program Officer in the President’s Office at the Ford Foundation, where she develops the US disability rights program strategy for the Foundation. On the show, Rebecca provides analysis on how some of the proposed elements of the Build Back Better package would greatly improve the lives of people with disabilities in this country. She also tells us about her ground-breaking work at the Ford Foundation, supporting disability rights and justice initiatives throughout the United States.

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Vaccines for People with High-Risk Medical Conditions or Disabilities

As of March 15, 2021, COVID 19 vaccines are available to people with disabilities above the age of 16.  All consumers of Regional Centers, Independent Living Centers, and In-Home Supportive Services are eligible for the COVID vaccine. FREED advocates for individuals to “self-certify” their qualifying disabilities, but if documentation is needed, FREED will provide such documentation to its consumers if requested.  If you want such documentation, please contact Jessica at 530-477-3333, jessica@FREED.org, in the Grass Valley office or Karen James, 530-742-4474, karenj@FREED.org in the Yuba City office.

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Black ink cartoon image from the Monopoly card “go directly to jail”: Mr. Monopoly being dragged on his back by a police officer carrying a billy club.
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Jail & Bail 2021!

On Tuesday, March 17th FREED Board members, along with Executive Director Ana Acton, will be thrown in jail! KNCO Jail that is! You can bail them out and support FREED!

 

 

 

 

 

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EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AND COVID-19 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DRIVE-THRU PICK-UP

FREED in collaboration with community partners is supporting personal emergency preparedness and COVID-19 protection efforts for people with disabilities and older adults with two Emergency Supplies/COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Drive-Thru Pick-up events in Grass Valley on February 16 and February 18 in Grass Valley and February 23 and February 25 in Yuba City.

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FREED Supports the Community During COVID-19

“In the midst of every crisis
lies great opportunity.”
~Albert Einstein

2020 has undoubtedly been a time of crisis.  Together we have experienced a world-wide pandemic, social unrest, wildfires, and public safety power shut offs.  We have seen issues that have always existed for people with disabilities and older adults intensified by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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What do Businesses Need to Know About COVID-19 & Masks

FREED Statement on COVID-19 & Masks

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law thirty years ago to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities and to extend opportunity and promote inclusion of people with disabilities in society. Here in Nevada County, people with disabilities play an important role in all facets of life and social discourse. We as a community must do what we can to slow the spread of the coronavirus and protect those of us who are at higher risk for serious complications from COVID-19.

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Disability Rap: August 28, 2020

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Last month was the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA was a landmark civil rights law that affirmed the inherent dignity of every person, regardless of disability. On this episode of Disability Rap, we’re spending the hour celebrating the ADA, its effects on people with disabilities and all Americans, and its impact right here in Nevada County.

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