DRC Lawsuit against Alameda County
Cases
Jul 30, 2020
Today, Disability Rights California (DRC), along with Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the Oakland-based law firm Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho filed a federal lawsuit under the Americans with Disabilities Act against Alameda County and Alameda Health System. The lawsuit challenges the unnecessary and illegal segregation of people with mental health disabilities- especially Black people with disabilities in psychiatric institutions and the failure to ensure people with disabilities are provided the services they need.
DRC is demanding that the County expand and enhance intensive community-based mental health services, including supported housing, so that people are not forced into institutions like John George Psychiatric Hospital (operated by Alameda Health System), or the Santa Rita Jail, when they can be served in a more integrated setting.
Case Name: Disability Rights California v. County of Alameda
Court and Case Number: 5:20-cv-05256 (N.D. Cal.)
Significant Documents
- Complaint (pdf)
Press Release
- Disability Rights California Files Lawsuit against Alameda County for Its Failed Mental Health System
News Coverage
- When Going to the Hospital Is Just as Bad as Jail – The Marshall Project 11/8/20
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