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declasi.bsky.social
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) - Delaware
@declasi.bsky.social
240 followers 170 following 180 posts
Providing free civil legal services to vulnerable and underserved Delawareans, helping to ensure equal access to justice.

www.declasi.org
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declasi.bsky.social
This Veterans Day, we honor and thank all veterans for their service, including CLASI staff members and clients.

Our offices are closed today, Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of the holiday, and will reopen tomorrow.
Graphic with illustrations of a waving American flag in the upper left and lower right corners, with the CLASI logo at the top and the words "Veterans Day November 11, 2025 Honoring and Thanking All Who Have Served" in the center.
November 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
declasi.bsky.social
We had a great time at the Pro Bono Fair hosted by Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP as part of the 2025 National Celebration of Pro Bono. Thank you to all those in Delaware's legal community who volunteer their time and expertise to advancing access to justice throughout the year.
#ProBonoWeek
Photo of two CLASI staff members smiling behind a table at the Pro Bono Fair hosted by the Young Conaway law firm.
November 11, 2025 at 3:23 PM
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TODAY, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CLASI's Sarah Rhine will lead a webinar examining the impacts of housing insecurity on individual and community health, and strategies for addressing housing-related health disparities in Delaware.

Learn more & register here: udel.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
October 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
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Thank you @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social for sharing the story of CLASI's client Isabela — a Delaware mother & domestic violence survivor wrongfully arrested & sent to Louisiana for deportation, despite having legally protected status.

📰Read the full story: spotlightdelaware.org/2025/10/13/b...
Screenshot of an online article with "Spotlight Delaware" at the top above a headline reading "'Bring her back': Delaware abuse victim rescued from ICE deportation" with a photo of a woman's hands clasped together.
October 14, 2025 at 6:52 PM
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After nearly a decade of advocacy, a milestone accessible parking bill is now law in Delaware! CLASI's Disability Rights Delaware Project Director Marissa Band joined legislators & advocates as Gov. @mattmeyerde.bsky.social signed HS 2 for HB 48, which will ensure parking lots are accessible.
Photo of disability advocates and Rep. DeShanna Neal standing and smiling after the bill signing. Photo of advocates and legislators standing and smiling surrounding Gov. Matthew Meyer after he signed HS 2 for HB 48 into law. Photo of CLASI's Marissa Band standing behind a podium at the bill signing. Photo of CLASI's Marissa Band, Gov. Meyer, John McNeal of the State Council for Persons with Disabilities, and Rep. Neal talking at the bill signing.
September 30, 2025 at 12:52 AM
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This #NationalVoterRegistrationDay, our Disability Rights Delaware program is calling for accessible and inclusive elections for all Delawareans. Learn more here: www.declasi.org/disability-r...
Graphic with a red, white, and blue color scheme and text reading: "Make an impact. Vote local. National Voter Registration Day" above the Disability Rights Delaware logo above text reading "We are a premier partner! Sept 16, 2025. Learn more: NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org"
September 16, 2025 at 8:57 PM
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It's Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW)!

Why it matters:

✔️ Too many barriers keep people with disabilities from accessing their right to vote.

✔️ DVRW was created by people with disabilities to raise awareness, advocate for removal of barriers, and ensure the community’s needs are represented.
Graphic featuring a red and blue design, with a blurry image of a woman holding a “VOTE” button that is in-focus as the background. The text reads: “It’s Disability Voting Rights Week!” in white, with the National Disability Rights Network logo in white in the lower right corner. Graphic with white text at the top reading: “What is Disability Voting Rights Week?” Body text reads: “Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) is September 8–12. It’s a national, nonpartisan event led by the American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP. DVRW is about standing up for the voting rights of people with disabilities, celebrating community, and building power together.” There is a blurred blue and red background with hands reaching up, and the National Disability Rights Network logo in white in the lower right corner. Graphic with white text at the top reading: “Why Disability Voting Rights Week?” Body text reads: "People with disabilities are a powerful part of the voting population - present in every community and political party. Yet, there are many barriers that make it hard for people with disabilities to vote. DVRW was created by people with disabilities to raise awareness, remove barriers, and make sure community needs are heard." There is a blurred red and blue background with an image of American flags, with the National Disability Rights Network logo in white in the lower left corner.
September 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
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Join CLASI at the Healthcare Transitions Symposium hosted by the Parent Information Center of DE!
WHEN: Sept. 24, 2025 - 10AM-3PM
WHERE: Dover Public Library (or via Zoom)
WHAT: Free event about making the journey from pediatric to adult healthcare
LEARN MORE & REGISTER: picofdel.org/event/health...
September 3, 2025 at 6:39 PM
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We had a great time connecting with families at the Back-to-School Resource Fair hosted by the DE Dept. of Justice last week. CLASI attorneys Peyton Carper (Family Representation) & Emily Luiken (Housing) & paralegal Addison Richards (Elder Law) attended & shared info about our free legal services.
Photo of CLASI staff members Peyton Carper, Addison Richards, and Emily Luiken smiling behind a table under a tent outside at the Delaware Dept. of Justice Back-to-School Resource Fair in Wilmington.
August 27, 2025 at 1:48 PM
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CLASI's Disability Rights Delaware is the designated Protection & Advocacy agency for Delawareans w/ disabilities & we want your opinion!

We just released our proposed FY26 priorities & are requesting public comment now through Sept. 30, 2025.

Learn more & submit comments at tinyurl.com/5n6mvdn4
Graphic with a blue background and white text reading "Comment on Disability Rights Delaware's Proposed Annual Priorities" with two white speech bubbles with blue text reading "We want to hear from you!" and "Comments are due by September 30, 2025" above the logo for Disability Rights Delaware. At the bottom is blue text on a white background reading "Learn more at: tinyurl.com/5n6mvdn4"
August 12, 2025 at 7:31 PM
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⏰ REMINDER: It's Special Election Day in RD 20!
📍 RD 20 includes Lewes, Milton, Nassau, Pine Town, Belltown, and parts of Harbeson and Georgetown.
✅ Polls are open 7AM – 8PM
✅ You must vote at your designated polling place. Find your polling place: ivote.de.gov
✅ Bring ID with your name and address.
Graphic with yellow background and dark purple text reading "RD 20 SPECIAL ELECTION TUESDAY, AUGUST 5 POLLS OPEN FROM 7 AM - 8 PM" and "FOR MORE INFO: VOTEDELAWARE.ORG" and "VOTE411.ORG/DELAWARE" with the logo of the DVRC Delaware Voting Rights Coalition and an image of a hand holding a bullhorn in dark purple and white.
August 5, 2025 at 5:56 PM
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✅ There is no requirement to read, write, or speak English to vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 14th and 15th Amendments ban English-only election practices and literacy tests.
Gray slide with white text reading: “Laws that protect your right to vote accessibly are:” and below that, a bulleted list of laws reading: “the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA); the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (VAEHA); the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA); the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA).” A graphic below the text shows a cartoon of people with their ballots waiting in line to use a voting machine. Gray slide with white text reading: “The entire voting process is required to be accessible!” Below is white text reading: “Contact Disability Rights Delaware at Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) if you are having difficulty accessing your polling place or registering to vote. Call us at (302) 575-0660.” A blue graphic of the universal handicap accessible symbol in the background. White slide with gray text reading: “Additional resources about accessible voting” with a list reading: “American Association of People with Disabilities’ REV UP Voting Campaign; The National Disability Rights Network’s Documentary Accessing Democracy (available on YouTube); The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) https://www.eac.gov/; Visit CLASI’s website for our voting rights materials: www.declasi.org/disabilities-law-program/your-rights-as-a-voter/” A gray check symbol graphic is below the text and the rainbow stripes of the disability pride flag are in the bottom right corner.
July 31, 2025 at 4:43 PM
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Voting is an essential right of all U.S. citizens, including people with disabilities. As #DisabilityPrideMonth comes to a close, CLASI's Disability Rights Delaware is addressing some common misconceptions about voting rights for people with disabilities -- learn more in the slides and thread below.
Slide with white background and Disability Pride flag stripes in the upper right corner. Delaware CLASI logo in the bottom left corner. Grey text reads: “Voting Rights and Disability Pride Month” with a subtitle that reads “What you need to know about voting rights for people with disabilities.” Below the text, a cartoon person puts a ballot into a ballot box, and a cartoon person in a wheelchair holds a disability pride flag and a sign that says “Voting Rights are Disability Rights.” Gray slide with white text that says: “Misconceptions about voting with a disability Some people think you cannot vote if you: cannot read or write; don’t have transportation / can’t drive; have a legal guardian*; are homeless; don’t know how to use the voting machine; have a cognitive disability; live in a long-term care facility.” Below, in bold, text reads: “None of these reasons mean you can’t vote in Delaware!” then “You still have the right to vote, unless there is a written court order from a judge specifically taking it away.” Gray slide with white text reading: “People with disabilities have the same right to vote as anyone else!” Below that, text reading: “You may need accommodations to help you vote. The law requires voting for people with disabilities to be equally as independent and private as for people without disabilities.” Blue graphics of an equal scale weighing a person and a person in a wheelchair and a marked checkbox are in the background. : Gray slide with text at the top saying “your vote has power” in all caps. Below white and blue text reads: “Examples of some accommodations you are allowed to have are:” Below that, a bulleted list saying: “a support person of your choice to help you read the ballot or use the voting machine, using the Universal Voting Console to read your ballot to you out loud, wearing headphones to block loud noises, having a chair to sit in while you wait to vote,” then at the bottom “You can ask for additional accommodations as long as they are reasonable for poll workers to assist with.” Blue graphics in the background show headphones, a chair, and two interlocking hands.
July 31, 2025 at 4:43 PM
declasi.bsky.social
As Delaware's designated Protection & Advocacy agency for people w/ disabilities, CLASI's Disability Rights Delaware works to enforce the ADA's protections & ensure that Delawareans w/ disabilities have the same rights & opportunities as everyone else.

#ADA35 #DisabilityRights #DisabilityPride
July 27, 2025 at 3:21 AM
declasi.bsky.social
It's #DisabilityPrideMonth, & today we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against people w/ disabilities in all areas of public life. Learn more in these graphics created by our DEI Heritage Committee.
Graphic with the words "Disability Pride Month" in white over the stripes of the disability pride flag red, gold, white, blue, and green on a faded black background, with images of six people representing different types of disabilities. Graphic with the words "Disability Pride Month" at the top in white, above black text reading "A month to recognize the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and highlight disability culture, history, and community. Recognizing that people with disabilities do not need to be cured or pitied, rather respected, included, and heard. It is celebrated every July in honor of the ADA being signed on July 26, 1990." At the bottom are two disability pride flags emerging from a red heart. Graphic with the words "Disability Pride Month History" at the top in black, above black text reading: "The first official celebration of Disability Pride Month occurred in July 2015, marking the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The first Disability Pride Day was held in Boston in July 1990." In the middle is an image of a person pushing another person in a wheelchair, waving flags, with fireworks. Graphic with the words "Disability Rights Movement" at the top in black, above black text reading: "The disability rights movement gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s, drawing inspiration from broader civil rights movements and recognizing the compounding marginalization experienced by people with disabilities who belonged to other underserved communities, including people who were BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and those experiencing poverty." At the bottom are images of people carrying signs that say "Respect Disabilities" and "Recognize Disabilities Strength" and "Empower Disabilities" and "Support Disabilities Rights" and an image of a hand holding a sign saying "Civil Rights."
July 27, 2025 at 3:21 AM
declasi.bsky.social
CLASI's Disability Rights Delaware applauds the passage of HS2 for HB48, which will ensure Delawareans w/ disabilities have equal access to businesses & government services by ensuring that parking lots are accessible. 🔗 Learn more about the law & read our statement: www.declasi.org/disability-r...
Photo of Ann Fisher and John McNeal of the State Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD), Rachel Engle and Kristin Harvey of the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC), and Marissa Band of CLASI's Disability Rights Delaware program, with Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay at Legislative Hall in Dover on June 30, 2025.
July 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
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We were excited to welcome Rep. Sarah McBride @mcbride.house.gov to CLASI’s Wilmington office on Friday! We had an energizing & inspiring conversation about her experiences as a public servant & advocate, and ways to strengthen our shared efforts on behalf of vulnerable & underserved Delawareans.
Photo of large group of CLASI staff members standing and smiling with Rep. Sarah McBride. Photo of Rep. Sarah McBride speaking with CLASI staff members seated around a large table. Photo of Rep. Sarah McBride smiling and talking with CLASI staff members.
July 14, 2025 at 6:26 PM
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Congratulations to CLASI’s Valerie Snow and Joanne Curley on being admitted to the Delaware Bar! 🎉
They are both staff attorneys with our Disability Rights Delaware program, and CLASI Advocacy Director John Whitelaw moved for their admission. (1/6)
Photo of CLASI Advocacy Director John Whitelaw and Staff Attorneys Valerie Snow and Joanne Curley standing and smiling next to the Great Seal of the State of Delaware, in front of a red curtain.
July 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
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CLASI is hiring a Bilingual (English-Spanish) Immigration Paralegal to join our team, based in either our Kent County (Dover) or New Castle County (Wilmington) office. To learn more about the position, salary, & benefits package, please visit: www.declasi.org/employment/
Graphic with blue and gray text reading "We Are Hiring Open Position: Bilingual Immigration Paralegal Kent County or New Castle County" on a white background, with an icon of a blue and gray megaphone and the CLASI logo in white on a blue background.
July 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM
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CLASI offices will be closed on Friday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. We wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Graphic with white text on a blue background reading "HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! CLASI offices will be closed on Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day" above the CLASI logo in white, with fireworks in white.
July 4, 2025 at 2:11 PM
declasi.bsky.social
Happy Pride Month! This celebration traces back to 56 years ago today, to the Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969, when LGBTQIA+ people in New York City stood up against police raids & harassment. The first Pride marches took place a year later, igniting a global movement for freedom & equality.
Graphic with rainbow colored background, rainbow colored flowers, and the words "HAPPY PRIDE MONTH FROM CLASI!" in white text. Graphic with a rainbow colored background with the words "WHY WE CELEBRATE" at the top in white text, with the following text below in white and maroon: "Pride Month traces back to the Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969, when brave LGBTQIA+ people took a stand against police raids and harassment in New York City. The first Pride marches took place a year later, igniting a global movement for freedom and equality, including celebrations here in Delaware. Today, our Delaware community continues to honor the spirit of Pride Month by coming together to celebrate and support one another. LEARN MORE ABOUT DELAWARE PRIDE AT HISTORY.DELAWARE.COV/LGBTQ-HISTORY" with the CLASI logo in white. Graphic with a rainbow colored background with the words "DELAWARE RESOURCES" in white in the middle, with text above and below in white and maroon with the words: "Wilmington/Northern DE & Rehoboth Beach Peer support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families; Orgullo Delaware Therapy, support groups, networking, and resources for Latines LGBTQIA+ communities; The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware Non-auditioned community chorus of LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies; Delaware Pride Organizing events and outreach promoting LGBTQIA+ visibility and community building" with the CLASI logo in white. Graphic with a rainbow colored background with the words "DELAWARE RESOURCES" in white in the middle, with text above and below in white and maroon with the words: "Transitions Delaware Counseling, consultation, and trainings for the LGBTQIA+ community, families, and allies; CAMP Rehoboth Center providing health services, arts programming. community events, and advocacy; Sussex Pride Supporting the community with a focus on arts, health, social/support groups, and advocacy; FOR MORE FOR MORE RESOURCES, VISIT: https://dcadv.org/get-help/lgbtq.html" with the CLASI logo in white.
June 28, 2025 at 4:17 PM
declasi.bsky.social
Disability Rights Delaware wants to hear from Delawareans w/ disabilities, their families & providers to help determine our focus areas!

➡️ Please complete our survey by 7/3/2025: www.surveymonkey.com/r/7C6MNQV

➡️ If you need an alternative format, contact us at 302-575-0660 or clasincc@declasi.org.
Image description: Graphic with a dark blue border around a white background with the Disability Rights Delaware logo at the top, above three speech bubbles with the words "WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!" in white on shades of blue, above text in dark blue reading "Disability Rights Delaware is the state’s designated Protection & Advocacy agency, providing free legal assistance and advocacy services to people with disabilities. We are seeking input from Delawareans with disabilities, their families, providers, and the general public to help us determine our areas of focus for the coming year."
June 27, 2025 at 4:45 PM
declasi.bsky.social
CLASI is hiring a Social Work Supervisor for our Family Representation Unit, which offers representation & services to parents in child welfare matters, including termination of parental rights cases. To learn more about the position, salary, & benefits package, visit: www.declasi.org/employment/
Graphic with blue and gray text reading "We Are Hiring Open Position: Social Work Supervisor Family Representation Unit New Castle County" on a white background, with an icon of a blue and gray megaphone and the CLASI logo in white on a blue background.
June 18, 2025 at 6:16 PM
declasi.bsky.social
Facing eviction? Behind on rent? Don’t wait -- seek legal help now!

Did you know in Delaware you may qualify for FREE legal representation in your eviction case?

Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/eviction-hel... right away to complete an online intake and see if you are eligible. (1/3)
Image of a flyer with the words "Facing Eviction? Behind on rent? Don't go alone you may qualify for free legal help" above the words "Complete an Intake" and "Delaware Legal Help Link" with a QR code and website link bit.ly/eviction-help-de, with images of a red house and a bird and clouds, and the logos for Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, and Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.
June 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
declasi.bsky.social
Congrats to CLASI’s Hope Vella on receiving her M.S. in Human Services from Wilmington University! She's an advocate w/ our Disability Rights Delaware program based in Sussex County, and helps people w/ developmental disabilities statewide to understand and implement their decision-making options.🧵
Photo of CLASI advocate Hope Vella in a graduation cap and gown holding flowers and smiling, with friends including CLASI staff attorney Valerie Snow.
June 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM