Category: Press Releases

Falling Through the Cracks: An Investigation into the Death of Irvo Otieno
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Falling Through the Cracks: An Investigation into the Death of Irvo Otieno

disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) investigated the death of Irvo Otieno in March 2023. From his initial encounters with police and the hospital emergency room to his incarceration and transfer to Central State Hospital, dLCV discovered a complete breakdown of Virginia’s mental health crisis system, compounded by a culture of criminalizing individuals with mental illness, particularly communities of color. The system that was supposed to help Mr. Otieno utterly and completely failed him.

Settlement reached in National Federation of the Blind of Virginia v. Virginia Department of Corrections
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Settlement reached in National Federation of the Blind of Virginia v. Virginia Department of Corrections

The ACLU of Virginia, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, the law firm of Brown, Goldstein and Levy, and the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia reached a settlement on Friday, May 17, in a lawsuit brought on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and four blind men, Michael McCann, Kevin Muhammad Shabazz, William Hajacos, and Nacarlo Courtney, alleging that the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) denied them equal access to prison communications, services, and programs.

How Accessible were the Polls Really in 2022?
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How Accessible were the Polls Really in 2022?

dLCV is mandated by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (PL 107-252) to advocate for the rights of Virginia voters with disabilities. Through dLCV’s Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA) program, we survey polling sites on Election Day to determine if sites are accessible and take corrective action if sites are not accessible.

Possible New Medicaid Rule for Family as Personal Care Aides
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Possible New Medicaid Rule for Family as Personal Care Aides

Have you heard about the Department of Medical Assistance Services’ (DMAS) proposed rule regarding “legally responsible individuals” as personal care aides? Under the proposed Medicaid rule, parents of minors and spouses are able to serve as personal care aides for their family member and be paid for their services. Check out dLCV’s fact sheet to learn more about the rule and how you can share your opinion on the rule with DMAS via “public comment.”

Virginia Department of Corrections Denies Equal Services to Visually Impaired People who are Incarcerated
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Virginia Department of Corrections Denies Equal Services to Visually Impaired People who are Incarcerated

Today the ACLU of Virginia, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, and the law firm of Brown, Goldstein, and Levy filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Virginia against the Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC), individual VDOC officials, and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and seven incarcerated men who are blind or visually impaired and are being denied equal access to services and programs available to sighted incarcerated people.