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Home / Archives for Disabilities Rights

September 13, 2022

Students Prevail in Systemic Complaint Against Denver Public Schools

eVoice

It is important to know where you have been in order to know where you are going. The student pictured is a client. He is a Denver Public School (DPS) student, diagnosed with autism. In 2011 the student was assigned to an affective needs (AN) center program. The AN program is said to be designed for students with emotional disabilities, not students with autism, intellectual disabilities, other health impairments (e.g. ADHD) or other disabilities.

[Read more…] about Students Prevail in Systemic Complaint Against Denver Public Schools

Article by Pamela Bisceglia / Filed Under: Disabilities Rights, Education, eVOICE, Juvenile Justice

June 23, 2020

Finding That Inspire Elementary School Principal Discriminated Against a Student Based on Race

eVoice

From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia

On February 6, 2020, a complaint of discrimination was filed by a member of Denver Public School (“DPS”) staff against the Principal of Inspire Elementary School. The complaint was filed in accordance with DPS Board of Education policy AC. The complainant alleged that the Principal discriminated against the student based on race (Black) and disability. AdvocacyDenver appreciates the staff that stood firm advocating for the appropriate treatment of the student and forwarded the complaint of discrimination.

[Read more…] about Finding That Inspire Elementary School Principal Discriminated Against a Student Based on Race

Article by Pamela Bisceglia / Filed Under: Disabilities Rights, Education, eVOICE, Juvenile Justice

June 10, 2020

Community Endorses a Board Resolution to Remove School Resource Officers and Review of Role and Responsibility and Actions of Denver Public Schools Safety and Security

eVoice

From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia

AdvocacyDenver Logo
Disability Law Colorado Logo
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition Logo
The Arc of Colorado Logo
Thrive Center Logo

Dear Denver Public Schools Board of Education:

We are writing as advocates in the disability community to ask that you support the call of your colleagues, Tay Anderson and Jennifer Bacon, to end the human rights violations of school policing. In this historic moment spurred by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, we call on you to do what is right and just and vote to terminate the Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) contract with the Denver Police Department and remove all police from the DPS.

[Read more…] about Community Endorses a Board Resolution to Remove School Resource Officers and Review of Role and Responsibility and Actions of Denver Public Schools Safety and Security

Article by Pamela Bisceglia / Filed Under: Disabilities Rights, Education, eVOICE, Juvenile Justice

February 6, 2020

Home and Community Based Services – Developmental Disabilities (HCBS-DD) Waiver – Waiting List Stakeholder Engagement Announcement

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Department) will be providing multiple opportunities for stakeholder engagement regarding potential changes to the HCBS-DD waiver waiting list management.

[Read more…] about Home and Community Based Services – Developmental Disabilities (HCBS-DD) Waiver – Waiting List Stakeholder Engagement Announcement

Article by Pamela Bisceglia / Filed Under: Disabilities Rights, eAlert, Health Care

July 18, 2019

Introducing Jane Walsh, Senior Deputy District Attorney, Denver District Attorney’s Office

An Interview with Catherine Strode

Jane Walsh, Senior Deputy District Attorney, Denver District Attorney’s Office
Jane Walsh, Senior Deputy District Attorney, Denver District Attorney’s Office

On July 1, a state law went into effect making it a class 6 felony to unlawfully confine an at-risk adult and a class 1 misdemeanor to abandon an at-risk adult. This law, enacting penalties for persons convicted of at-risk adult abuse crimes, was the result of hard-fought lobbying efforts of advocates within the Colorado disability community. Leading their fight for legislative change was Denver’s Director of Elder and At-Risk Protection, Jane Walsh. She says this law is a tool to get more abuse crimes reported and prosecuted.

Jane Walsh has been prosecuting crimes against at-risk adults since coming to the United States in 2007. Originally from Scotland, she has practiced law under three different legal systems to defend her passion. That passion is fighting inequities for vulnerable populations and protecting their right to live full and respectful lives.

[Read more…] about Introducing Jane Walsh, Senior Deputy District Attorney, Denver District Attorney’s Office

Article by Catherine Strode / Filed Under: Disabilities Rights, Interview, Policy Perspective - Interviews with Policy Makers

April 18, 2019

Competency Bill Will Implement Mental Health Consent Decree Orders

An Interview with Catherine Strode

Colorado State Representative Mike Weissman, House District 36
Colorado State Representative Mike Weissman, House District 36

Disability advocates and the state of Colorado reached agreement last month in a legal battle over the long wait times for court-ordered mental health competency proceedings.  A Consent Decree was entered into as a result of a lawsuit against the state by Disability Law Colorado.  A bill introduced this Session creates alignment with the Consent Decree’s competency proceeding requirements and helps the state avoid violations and penalties.

Entitled, “Actions Related to Competency To Proceed,” Senate Bill 19-223, is a revised version of a competency bill that failed to pass in the 2018 Session.  The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Mike Weissman, says the 2019 version has bipartisan support and has been worked on extensively over the past year. He is optimistic that it will win passage this year.

[Read more…] about Competency Bill Will Implement Mental Health Consent Decree Orders

Article by Catherine Strode / Filed Under: Disabilities Rights, Interview, Legislation, Policy Perspective - Interviews with Policy Makers

April 11, 2019

Bill Enacts Penalties Against At-Risk Adult Abuse Crimes

An Interview with Catherine Strode

Colorado State Senator Jessie Danielson, Senate District 20
Colorado State Senator Jessie Danielson, Senate District 20

Last year, nearly one thousand cases of abuse against at-risk adults were reported in Colorado. In Denver, police report over a 200% increase in these types of crimes.  Adult Protective Services estimate for every report of abuse against an at-risk adult, many more cases go unreported.

A Colorado legislator has introduced a bill to strengthen efforts to decrease crimes against at-risk adults. Senator Jessie Danielson is sponsoring Senate Bill 19-172 which makes it a Class 6 Felony to unlawfully confine an at-risk adult and a Class 1 Misdemeanor to unlawfully abandon an at-risk adult.  Senator Danielson says this bill will cut down on this type of abuse of the most vulnerable Coloradans.

[Read more…] about Bill Enacts Penalties Against At-Risk Adult Abuse Crimes

Article by Catherine Strode / Filed Under: Adults, Disabilities Rights, Interview, Legislation, Policy Perspective - Interviews with Policy Makers

March 5, 2019

Jail Wait At ‘Crisis Point’ For Individuals With Disabilities

Alison L. Butler, Esq., Director of Legal Services, Disability Law Colorado
Alison L. Butler, Esq., Director of Legal Services, Disability Law Colorado

An Interview with Catherine Strode

For the past 12 years, Alison Butler has been advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in her role as the Director of Legal Services for Disability Law Colorado.  She has investigated reports of institutional abuse, housing and workplace discrimination, and inequities in education.  However, the 2019 Legislative Session may be presenting her with one of her most challenging advocacy issues as she leads a campaign to reform the state’s handling of people with disabilities in the criminal justice system.

Currently, the average jail wait time for a person judged to be incompetent to proceed in Colorado’s criminal justice process is 79 days.  Allison is leading an educational and legislative campaign to reduce that wait period down to no more than 14 days. In addition, she aspires to change the way people with disabilities who have committed low level crimes are routed through the criminal justice system.  She says this issue in Colorado has reached a point of crisis.

[Read more…] about Jail Wait At ‘Crisis Point’ For Individuals With Disabilities

Article by Catherine Strode / Filed Under: Disabilities Rights, Interview, Policy Perspective - Interviews with Policy Makers

February 27, 2019

Last Interview

Carrie Ann Lucas

From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia

At different times, over the years, I had an opportunity to stand with Carrie Ann Lucas on issues important to the community of individuals with disabilities.  I cannot report that we were Facebook friends, we did not meet for lunch or dinner or discuss our personal lives.  I knew Carrie as a bright, firm, determined parent, attorney, advocate, and community leader.  If there was a question in relation to the rights of parents with disabilities, Carrie was the expert. 

[Read more…] about Last Interview

Article by Pamela Bisceglia / Filed Under: AdvocacyDenver News, Disabilities Rights, eVOICE, Health Care

December 11, 2018

Council On Developmental Disabilities New Leadership

CDDC LogoAn Interview with Catherine Strode

For the past five months, the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council has been under new leadership. Executive Director Joelle Brouner now heads up the Council, consisting of 24 members. Each Council member is appointed by the Governor. Council members fall into three groups: individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities (I/DD), parents or guardians of people with I/DD, and individuals who work in service systems. Joelle Brouner discusses her vision for the Council’s future work and her goal of creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to lead lives of their own choosing.

[Read more…] about Council On Developmental Disabilities New Leadership

Article by Catherine Strode / Filed Under: Disabilities Rights, Interview, Policy Perspective - Interviews with Policy Makers

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