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dralegal.bsky.social
Disability Rights Advocates
@dralegal.bsky.social
140 followers 180 following 110 posts
Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is a non-profit legal center dedicated to securing the civil rights of people with disabilities. https://dralegal.org/
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dralegal.bsky.social
Huge thank you to everyone that joined us yesterday for our celebration of DRA’s work in Los Angeles!

Our steadfast ally Loreen Arbus opened her beautiful, art-filled home for an intimate and inspiring get together to celebrate the impactful work DRA is doing in the LA area.
DRA’s Kate Hamilton, Rebecca Williford, and Sean Betouliere pose and smile with event host Loreen Arbus. DRA’s Kate Hamilton, Rebecca Williford, Sean Betouliere, and Shawna Parks pose and smile with DRA board member Sofia Vergara. DRA’s Rebecca Williford speaking to a room full of seated guests. DRA’s Shawna Parks poses and smiles with Olivia Almalel, a client in DRA’s LA parks lawsuit.
January 23, 2026 at 10:31 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
Last week DRA, @lawfoundation.bsky.social, King & Spalding, & Goodwin secured a landmark decision ensuring government agencies in #California are held accountable when they improperly withhold records that are, by law, the people’s records.

Read Law.com coverage: www.law.com/therecorder/...
California Supreme Court Opens Door to Declaratory Relief in Public-Records Disputes| Law.com
The unanimous justices said the potential for declaratory relief, which can trigger fee awards, can encourage public agencies to fully comply with California's records law.
www.law.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:34 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
LEGAL VICTORY: DRA, @lawfoundation.bsky.social, King & Spalding, and Goodwin Procter have secured a landmark decision ensuring government agencies in #California are held #accountable when they improperly withhold records that are, by law, the people’s records.

dralegal.org/press/califo...
California Supreme Court Clarifies Limits of Court Enforcement Under Public Records Act - Disability Rights Advocates
Decision in City of Gilroy v. Superior Court has major implications for public accountability and record preservation January 15, 2026 — San Jose, CA — The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley secured a l...
dralegal.org
January 16, 2026 at 10:53 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
DRA is hiring for a Senior Staff Attorney in our New York office!

DRA is looking for experienced litigators excited to work on our groundbreaking, #DisabilityRights impact litigation in #NewYork and across the country.

Spread the word or apply today! dralegal.org/jobs/senior-...
DRA logo + "DRA Is Hiring! Senior Staff Attorney (NY), https://dralegal.org/category/jobs/"
January 14, 2026 at 12:09 AM
dralegal.bsky.social
DRA is hiring for a Directing Attorney in our #NewYork office!

This is an incredible opportunity to build and litigate some of the most blockbuster #DisabilityRights cases that are happening in this country.

Spread the word or apply today! dralegal.org/jobs/directi...
DRA logo + "DRA is hiring! Directing Attorney, New York. https://dralegal.org/jobs/"
January 12, 2026 at 11:05 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
We are proud to present DRA's 2025 annual report!

Learn how we spent 2025 advancing the rights of people with #disabilities through our work on architectural barriers, the criminal legal system, civics, education, healthcare, housing, pedestrian access, and transit.

dralegal.org/featured/202...
"2025 Annual Report" + DRA Advisory Board Member Xian Horn, DRA Board Member Emily Ladau, and DRA President & CEO Rebecca Williford pose together at DRA’s 2025 NYC Celebration + Group shot of 11 DRA staff members sitting around a table at a staff gathering in Berkeley, CA + DRA’s Rachel Weisberg presenting an award to Proskauer at DRA’s 2025 Chicago Celebration + Group shot of 28 of DRA’s staff and clients posing together at DRA’s 2025 NYC Client Appreciation Event + DRA logo
December 22, 2025 at 5:22 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
What makes DRA worth investing in this giving season? Our #impact.

Read DRA’s end-of-year appeal and give today to fuel DRA’s ongoing fight for #DisabilityRights:

mailchi.mp/dralegal/202...
DRA logo + Group shot of 28 of DRA’s staff and clients posing together at DRA’s 2025 NYC Client Appreciation Event + Support DRA's Fight for Disability Rights With a Year End Donation!
December 17, 2025 at 5:36 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
DRA's 2025 #SanFrancisco Celebration was a huge success!

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for DRA's final event of the year. Your presence made the night truly special, and together we lifted up the importance of #DisabilityRights and the power of legal advocacy.
President & CEO Rebecca Williford smiles with honorees Janni Lehrer-Stein and Proskauer’s Stephen Hibbard in front of a sunset and San Francisco skyline. President & CEO Rebecca Williford poses with an event guest. Eight DRA staff posing together and smiling. Award presenter Ann O'Leary poses with awardee Janni-Lehrer Stein and three other event guests smiling broadly.
December 4, 2025 at 8:57 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
This #GivingTuesday, consider a gift to DRA, an organization with incredible impact. Our mission is to safeguard the #CivilRights of people with #disabilities and our country needs this work now more than ever!

Donate today: dralegal.org/donate/
Giving Tuesday logo + DRA's Rebecca Williford at the DRA booth at the 2025 NYC Disability Pride Parade + DRA’s Rachel Weisberg posing with two DRA clients and two co-counsel members from Proskauer outside a Chicago courtroom following a successful hearing + DRA’s Victoria Pilger posing with nine DRA clients holding signs and a large banner that says "Elevators Are For Everyone" outside of MTA headquarters in NYC DRA logo + DRA's Jameelah Najieb posing with two DRA clients and one co-counsel member from East Bay Community Law Center outside a San Francisco courthouse following a successful hearing + DRA's Victoria Pilger and former DRA attorney Joshua Rosenthal posing with two co-counsel members from The Legal Aid Society and one co-counsel member from Winston & Strawn LLP outside a New York courthouse following a successful hearing + DRA's Madeleine Reichman posing with a DRA client outside a New York courtroom following a successful hearing
December 2, 2025 at 5:50 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
DRA’s #SanFrancisco Celebration is just around the corner!

If you missed our exciting 2025 Celebrations in Chicago and New York, you can still join us for our final event of the year on December 2 at @mofollp.bsky.social.

Purchase tickets or sponsor the event today! dralegal.org/annual-gala/...
"San Francisco Celebration, December 2" + DRA logo "San Francisco Celebration Honorees" + Portrait of Janni Lehrer-Stein + "Janni Lehrer-Stein" + Proskauer logo + "Proskauer"+ DRA logo
November 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for DRA's 2025 #NewYork Celebration. Your presence made the night truly special, and together we lifted up the importance of #DisabilityRights and the power of legal advocacy.

All proceeds fund our high-impact casework. Donate today: dralegal.org/donate/
Former Secretary of State and US Senator from New York Hillary Rodham Clinton presenting the Edith Prentiss Award to DRA Advisory Board Member Janni Lehrer-Stein on stage. Special guest Danny Woodburn on stage to kick off the event. DRA Board Member James Ian singing into a microphone on stage. DRA Advisory Board Member Xian Horn, DRA Board Member Emily Ladau, and DRA President & CEO Rebecca Williford smiling together.
November 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
Breaking news! Award-winning journeyman actor, director, & producer Danny Woodburn will be joining DRA’s 2025 NY Celebration next week!

Join us on Wed Nov 12 at City Winery West Side for an unforgettable program.

Get your tickets or sponsor the event today! dralegal.org/annual-gala/...
"New York Celebration. Nov 12" + DRA logo "Special Guest" + Portrait of Danny Woodburn + "Danny Woodburn, Award-winning journeyman actor, director, and producer" "Special Guest" + Portrait of Hillary Rodham Clinton + "Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former Secretary of State and US Senator from New York" "Honorees" + Portrait of Janni Lehrer-Stein + "Janni Lehrer-Stein" + Proskauer logo + "Proskauer" + "Featured Guests" + Portrait of Emily Ladau + "Emily Ladau" + Portrait of James Ian + "James Ian"
November 6, 2025 at 2:09 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
We are thrilled to announce that DRA's incredible Wolinsky Fellow Raika Kim is now officially an attorney!

Today she was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and we are so proud of her. Congratulations!
Raika Kim smiling and holding her Illinois State Bar license
November 5, 2025 at 11:19 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
We are thrilled to announce that @hillaryclinton.bsky.social will be joining DRA's 2025 NYC Celebration on Nov 12!

The Former Secretary of State and US Senator from New York will be presenting the Edith Prentiss Award to Janni Lehrer-Stein.

Purchase tickets or sponsor: dralegal.org/annual-gala/...
Portrait of Hillary Rodham Clinton + "Breaking News! A Special Guest Is Joining Our New York Celebration. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former Secretary of State and US Senator from New York"
November 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
As #NDEAM comes to a close, DRA is proud to partner with Disability:IN Chicagoland in today’s Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit as we work to improve #accessibility throughout Chicago & the Midwest.

Featured speakers include DRA's Rachel Weisberg and Rebecca Williford. #DisabilityInclusion
DRA Advisory Board member Michele Lee and DRA team members Rebecca Williford, Rachel Weisberg, and Raika Kim smiling in front of the DRA banner and DRA’s exhibitor table at the Disability:IN Chicagoland Summit.
October 30, 2025 at 5:05 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
Check out DRA's fall newsletter! dralegal.org/newsletter/f...

-Important updates from DRA's President & CEO
-Announcements about our upcoming celebrations in NYC on Nov 12 and SF on Dec 2
-A conversation with our newest board member Jennifer Reddien
-Recent case developments and victories
"DRA Fall Newsletter"
October 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
Yesterday's Disability Pride Parade NYC was a truly uplifting event!

We had many visitors stop by our booth to learn about DRA and it was wonderful to see so many of our clients, community members, and partner organizations coming together.

#DisabilityPride #DisabilityRights
Collage image of 3 pictures: Image 1: DRA's Rebecca Williford at the DRA booth. Image 2: DRA clients from Disabled In Action of Metropolitan New York marching in the parade. Image 3: DRA clients from Bronx Independent Living Services marching in the parade.
October 20, 2025 at 11:41 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
A federal court has granted final approval to a class action settlement that will ensure the Hunters Point Library in #Queens is accessible to visitors with mobility #disabilities.

Check out @gothamist.com coverage: gothamist.com/news/queens-...

#DisabilityRights #DisabilityInclusion
Queens library agrees to major accessibility upgrades after disability rights lawsuit
The Hunters Point Library in Long Island City will undergo renovations to make all areas accessible to visitors with mobility-related disabilities, following a class-action settlement.
gothamist.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
@nycdot.bsky.social is hosting the second of two town hall sessions in 2025 on #accessible pedestrian signals (APS) to collect public feedback & provide an opportunity for Q&A.

Submit questions ahead of time to APS@dot.nyc.gov.

Tue Oct 21, 5:30-7:30pm
Join with this link: on.nyc.gov/nycdotaps
Accessible pedestrian signal device on a street pole + "Accessible Pedestrian Signals Town Hall. Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) are devices generally affixed to pedestrian signal poles to assist blind or low vision pedestrians in crossing the street. APS are wired to a pedestrian signal and send audible and vibrotactile indications when pedestrians push a button installed at the crosswalk." + Same info from the post language + QR code + Logos for NYCDOT and NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
October 17, 2025 at 9:55 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
Last week a federal court granted final approval to a class action settlement that will ensure the Hunters Point Library in #Queens is accessible to visitors with mobility #disabilities.

After the hearing, we snapped this pic of DRA attorney Madeleine Reichman and our amazing client Tanya Jackson.
DRA attorney Madeleine Reichman and DRA client Tanya Jackson standing together inside the Central Islip location of the Eastern District Court of NY after the final approval hearing in Jackson v. QBPL
October 17, 2025 at 4:38 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
LEGAL VICTORY: Last week a federal court granted final approval to a class action settlement that will ensure the Hunters Point Library in #Queens is #accessible to visitors with mobility disabilities.

dralegal.org/press/hunter...

#DisabilityRights #DisabilityInclusion #LibrariesAreForEveryone
Class Settlement Approved Ensuring Access for People with Disabilities to Queens Public Library Branch - Disability Rights Advocates
October 14, 2025—Queens, New York—On October 9, 2025, Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione granted final approval to a class action settlement of a case filed against the Queens Borough Public Library, th...
dralegal.org
October 14, 2025 at 1:52 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
DRA is so excited for the Disability Pride Parade NYC on Sunday October 19! Come by our table to say hello and share your #DisabilityPride as we come together in community!

Learn more: www.nycdisabilitypride.org
"NYC Disability Pride Parade. Sunday, October 19, 2025, 11am. Madison Square Park to Union Square Park." + NYC buildings seen from above
October 10, 2025 at 4:36 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
Last week a federal court granted final approval to a class action settlement for our case against California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) & three counties for failing to provide Medi-Cal notices in #accessible formats such as Braille

Daily Journal: www.dailyjournal.com/article/3879...
State to overhaul Medi-Cal communications with the blind after lawsuit
The Daily Journal has more journalists covering the California legal profession than any other publication.
www.dailyjournal.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:27 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
LEGAL VICTORY: On Friday a federal court granted final approval to a class settlement for our case against California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) & three counties for failing to provide Medi-Cal notices in #accessible formats such as Braille.

Press release dralegal.org/press/medi-c...
Groundbreaking Class Settlement Approved Ensuring Access to Notices for Blind Medi-Cal Recipients and Applicants - Disability Rights Advocates
October 6, 2025—San Francisco, California—On October 3, 2025, District Court Judge Maxine M. Chesney granted final approval to a class action settlement of a case filed in San Francisco Federal Court ...
dralegal.org
October 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
dralegal.bsky.social
Today marks the groundbreaking of the New York MTA's Middletown Road subway #accessibility project!

When this project is completed, New Yorkers with #disabilities will be able to use the station equally and independently.

Check out coverage from @thecity.nyc: www.thecity.nyc/2025/10/03/n...
North Bronx Subway Station to Get Elevators, Nearly a Decade After ADA Lawsuit
Improvements to the Middletown Road stop are part of a system-wide push to increase accessibility, paid for in part by congestion pricing.
www.thecity.nyc
October 3, 2025 at 8:25 PM