Disability Rights Protection Act: ATTEND the Committee Mark-up 11/6, 3 PM

DC Disability Rights Protection Act (DRPA)
Update November 2, 2006
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1) GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE TO VOTE ON
DRPA MONDAY, 11/6, 3:00 P.M. -- PLEASE ATTEND!!

*Thank you* to everyone who testified and attended the
public hearing on the DRPA last Friday (SEE update,
below)!

At the hearing, the Committee on Government Operations
heard the community's enthusiasm for the DRPA loudly and
clearly. As a result, the Committee plans to hold a
"mark up" (or vote) on the bill next Monday. Although
response to the bill has been positive so far, we are
concerned about the need for sufficient funding to
implement the bill (an estimated $1.5 million will be
required to ensure adequate staffing for the new Office
of Disability Rights).

** Please attend to show your support!! **

WHAT: Committee Vote on the DRPA
DATE: Monday, November 6, 2006
TIME: 3:00 p.m.
PLACE: John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Room 120

After the Committee vote, the DRPA will be sent back
to the full DC Council for further consideration. The full
DC Council will need to take 2 votes at least 13 days apart
to approve the bill. We anticipate that the first vote will
likely happen on November 14, 2006.

2) PUBLIC HEARING A SUCCESS

On Friday, October 27, 2006 the DC Council Committee on
Government Operations held a successful hearing on the
Disability Rights Protection Act (DRPA).

Kenneth Saunders, Director of the DC Office of Human
Rights, testified first in support of the bill on behalf
of Mayor Williams. DC Councilmembers Vincent Orange, Sr.
(Ward 5) and Vincent Grey (Ward 7) asked many questions
about Mr. Saunders's testimony, mostly related to the
significant barriers to services facing DC residents
with disabilities.

Following Mr. Saunders, nearly 30 DC residents and
advocates testified in favor of the bill. Many
witnesses shared their personal experiences of barriers
to DC government services and aid. Others expressed
their support and relayed stories for people who could
not be there.

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Thank you to everyone who is supporting the DRPA!
For more information:
Amber Harding, 328-5503 / amber@legalclinic.org or
T.J. Sutcliffe, 636-2963 / tjsutcliffe@arcdc.net.

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