Oops! You must enter a search term greater than 3 characters.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FOUNDATION - charity reviews, charity ratings, best charities, best nonprofits, search nonprofits

Phone: (415) 931-3070; (510) 522-PWDF(7933)

507 Polk St
Suite 430
San Francisco, CA USA 94102

www.pwdf.org Volunteer Donate

Links

Promote this organization!

Click here for text link or graphic badge.

Read more reviews of this organization

Latest Review

Mission

Our Mission is to provide education and advocacy for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities, with or without physical disabilities, so that they can achieve equal opportunities in all aspects of life.

View all photos

Key Facts

Geographic areas served:

San Francisco Bay Area Counties: San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano

Target demographics:

disabled, low-income, children, people in the San Francisco bay area

Results to date:

Highly successful representation on appeals for SSI/SSDI initial claims and terminations; free consultations on ADA (reasonable accommodations in employment, options when faced with negative employment actions); free consultations on SSA’s work incentive programs; free seminars/workshops; free referrals; training materials (see Online Store); guest speaking on relevant topics; training by request

Direct beneficiaries per year: 500-1000

Obstacles:

Stigma associated; institutional barriers; lack of media visibility

What your donation will allow us to do:

Provide high-quality and unbiased services and public awareness campaigns

Board Members and Affiliation:

Steven Bruce, Esq.

Sally Sklar, Esq.

Joyce Smith

Key Staff

Steven Bruce, Interim Executive Director/Managing Attorney

Annie Hsia, Advocacy Program Manager

Spencer Williams, Education/Public Awareness Program Manager

Description

PWDF works to provide education and advocacy for persons with psychiatric impairments so that they can achieve equal opportunities in all aspects of life.

Programs

Due to the profound stigma often associated with mental illness, PWDF pays particular attention to people with psychiatric disabilities. We have two major program components: 1. Education/Public Awareness ? PWDF produces training videos and other educational materials to promote better understanding of psychiatric disabilities in the workplace, which are available on www.pwdf.org/media/index.html. PWDF offers public seminars, guest speaking, and workshops on the psychiatric disorders on issues relating to employment, Social Security, education, housing, health care, multiculturalism, etc. We have provided guest speakers at governmental and/or nonprofit program events relating to discrimination under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, health care, Social Security benefits, etc. 2. Advocacy - Legal representation and/or consultation for qualified disabled individuals before/against the Social Security Administration, in federal court, on issues of disability rights, including benefits, work incentives, and ADA-compliance in matters such as employment, health care, education, and/or housing. Currently, direct advocacy services are provided on a sliding fee schedule in the counties of San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Marin, Solano, Napa, and Sonoma, and no one is declined due to their inability to pay. Nationally, we are seeking to redress loopholes in the federal statutes. Social Security?s own statistics show that they are disproportionately terminating benefits for those with mental disabilities as opposed to those with other disabilities, and PWDF is taking action through litigation and proposed legislative changes.