University Legal Services and Disability Rights DC

Are you looking to become a first-time homeowner? Are you a homeowner who is looking to make renovations to your home? Join us on Zoom for one of our July webinars to learn about city resources available to you! ⁠
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We are launching a new webinar, available this month: 8-Hour Homebuyer's training. This class is required for purchasing an IZ home and will now be offered once a month!⁠
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Our webinars will discuss the District’s Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Program, and Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP). Register using the link in our bio.⁠
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We also offer a series of webinars in Spanish! Scroll to the end to see the dates, and register on our website: https://www.uls-dc.org/workshops-and-events
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NPR published a powerful story about Cody and Kaleigh Brendle, two siblings from New Jersey who are both blind. The siblings are part of the "ADA generation"- people who came under the age of the safeguards for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Now, the integration mandate and the entire system of community-based disability services (serving over 8 million Americans) is being challenged in federal court.

Read Cody and Keleigh's story: https://www.npr.org/2026/08/20/nx-s1-5891791/disability-rights-community-living-integration-trump

Follow ULS on social media to learn more about our fight to make the world more just and accessible for those with disabilities.

This week, City Cast DC published a story on the abysmally low pickup rates of the District's Su***de Lifeline. This article reveals that DC has one of the nation's lowest pickup rates- at one point this year, just 56% of calls were picked up by local crisis counselors. ⁠
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These low rates are a result of chronic understaffing at DC's Department of Behavioral Health, which runs the crisis call center. This can undermine the purpose of the 988 system.⁠
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To read more the full article, click here: https://dc.citycast.fm/news/988-call-pickup-rate-dc

Members of the DC Department on Disability Services have been visiting the Assistive Technology Center throughout the summer to learn more about DCATP's services and AT resources. ⁠
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These visits are a great opportunity for our dedicated team to educate DDS staff about our work and demonstrate AT products. Big smiles all around!

As their time at ULS wrap up, our hardworking interns took some time to reflect on their summer. ⁠
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Hear from Emily, a summer law celerk with DRDC. Emily is passionate about community integration, and spent the summer expanding her knowledge on disbaility justice.

Save the date: BOE Voting Accessibility and Language Access Summit⁠
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Next month, join the DC Board of Elections for a Voting and Language Access Summit.⁠
In recognition of Disability Voting Rights Week, this free event will provide information and resources to help ensure every eligible voter can confidently access the voting process. ⁠
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Learn about voting rights and available accommodations, explore language access services, and more.

Last week, the DC Assistive Technology Program hosted a cane giveaway at Model Cities Senior Wellness Center.⁠
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At the event, DCATP staff gave away over 50 canes that had been donated for the purpose of decreasing the risk of falls in older adults and promoting the DC Shares program.⁠
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DCATP is hard at work making independence possible!

As their time at ULS wrap up, our hardworking interns took some time to reflect on their summer. ⁠
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Hear from Grace, a summer law clerk for DRDC. Grace is studying at The George Washington University Law School, and is passionate about elder justice. Outside of work, you can find Grace at Wawa!

Are you looking to become a first-time homeowner? Are you a homeowner who is looking to make renovations to your home? Join us on Zoom for one of our July webinars to learn about city resources available to you! ⁠
⁠
Our webinars will discuss the District’s Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Program, and Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP). Register using the link in our bio.⁠
⁠
We also offer a series of webinars in Spanish!

Learn more at our website: https://www.uls-dc.org/workshops-and-events
⁠
⁠
⁠ ⁠

Last week, we celebrated the retirement of Andrea, a Senior Staff Attorney with DRDC. Andrea was with the team for over 20 years, starting as a Staff Attorney.

Before working for DRDC, she consulted on cases while working with other DC firms alongside our attorneys, and she worked as a registered nurse. Andrea counducted a number of investigations at facilities in DC and also worked with pro bono attorneys in the District who represent ULS clients in rights violation cases.

We wish Andrea well as she continues to pursue her passions in art and music in her retirement!