We Are
the DO Network
The DO Network calls to action the California disability communities and its allies to effect systems change in local, state and national issues.
In 1997, the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) was awarded a federal grant to build a statewide Disability Organizing Network (DO Network) to educate and organize California’s Disability Community. From 1997 to 2002 CFILC employed 29 Empowerment Team Leaders that worked within the 28 Independent Living Centers through the state.
In 2003, we embraced a new model, one that moved the funding and employment of Empowerment Team Leaders to their local Independent Living Centers, and changing their title to Disability Organizing Advocate. This set the stage for stronger local advocacy strategies and community involvement.
The DO Network has had many organizing and advocacy successes some of which include increasing the accessibility of polling places, increasing awareness about the lack of access to electronic voting machines, increasing access to airport shuttle services, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, housing, transportation, assistive technology and durable medical equipment and medical supplies and healthcare.
In 2012, the DO Network is moved into the social networking world with the launch of the previous generation of the DO Network website, and we are focusing on organizing local initiatives statewide. We are building local action teams to support the implementation of Olmstead through increasing access to accessible, affordable integrated housing, increasing access to accessible and affordable transportation options, promoting the inclusion of Disability History in California Schools, increasing awareness of about the frequency and impact of bullying on youth with disabilities, increasing civic participation through non-partisan voter education, voter registration and get out the vote activities.
DO Network’s Primary Areas of Focus
DOing the Community Organizing
The DO Network is working to include people with disabilities in the discussions that impact their lives. The Independent Living Movement is organizing and growing, reminding the world: "Nothing About Us Without Us!" An organized community resembles the people who make it up. It starts small and grows, developing the talents and skills of its members. The Disability Organizing Network works to grow the disability community to be recognized amongst decision makers in California.
Please join the DO Network to build a larger and more effective Independent Living Movement in your community by clicking here to contact your local disability organizing Advocate:
Voter Education
Voting is our opportunity to express an independent voice for people living in our democracy. In California our goals are to:
- Organize voter registration and education to build a larger Independent Living Voter Block
- Educate voters and candidates on issues important to people with disabilities
- Provide the best access to voting and education to voters
Please help us build a larger Independent Living Voting Block by contacting your local Disability Organizing Advocate.
Olmstead, Housing & Transportation
The Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead decision validated the rights of people with disabilities to live in community settings instead of institutions. The 2010 passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known as health care reform, is driving immense changes to long-term living programs and services that will potentially have a positive and lasting impact on the Olmstead implementation in the state. These changes involve:
- A shift to managed care, including long-term services and supports
- Opportunities for expanding the number of people who receive services
- Opportunities for reducing institutionalization and fragmentation
- Opportunities to expand peer services, business opportunities and jobs for people with disabilities
Disability rights organizers will carefully assess all of the opportunities, as well as the challenges, involved in this system re-design. Advocates will work to protect what is strong in the current system, while staying open and engaged to all possibilities of positive change.
Schools & Education
The Disability Organizing Network Advocates are collaborating with the California Foundation for Independent Living Center's program Youth Organizing (YO!) Disabled & Proud around issues that impact youth and California's schools. YO! Disabled & Proud has organized youth-led campaigns such as Disability History Week, Taking Action for Accommodations and OWN MY POWER: Freedom from Bullying.
Together with YO! Disabled & Proud, the DO Network Advocates are partnering in a joint Schools Committee to continue this work and increase mentorship within the Disability Community in California. Currently, stakeholders from the DO Network and YO! Disabled & Proud meet regularly about implementing disability history in California's schools at the local level under the FAIR Education Act.
Become a stakeholder in California's Independent Living future by clicking here to contact your local YO! Disabled & Proud Volunteer and Disability Organizing Advocate.