UDW member Perry Escamilla and client traveled from Merced County to show support in Sacramento.

More than 1,000 activists from the disability and mental health communities, including UDW members and their clients from as far away as Riverside County, rallied at the State Capitol in Sacramento May 25^th  in the 8^th annual Disability Capitol Action Day.

Participants braved a morning rainstorm to hear political and disability rights organization leaders from across the state. Among the speakers were State Senators Ellen Corbett, Mark DeSaulnier, Noreen Evans and Mark Leno; and  Assembly Members Jim Beall, Holly Mitchell and Mariko Yamada.

Following the rally, UDW members from Kern, Stanislaus, Merced, Placer, El Dorado and Riverside Counties met with their legislators to urge them to reject a proposed “all cuts” state budget. They also asked legislators to support SB 930, a UDW-sponsored bill that would repeal the costly and ineffective 2009 law requiring fingerprinting of IHSS consumers and providers.

- PHOTOS FROM THE CAPITOL -
UDW members stand up for home care; “Smiles in the Rain”
May 25, 8th Annual Disability Captiol Action Day

UDW members from accross the state participated with pride -

A sea of umbrellas and smiles! L-R activists and members Geneva White , Evelyn Dorsey , Cori Crowson Melina Thompson.

IHSS client-activist and aunt of UDW Merced Chapter chair Metres Huddleston: "We will be heard!"

Members L-R Cori Crowson, Debbie Owens, Ed Huddleston, Marie Mathis.

After the Rally members went inside the capitol to do legislative lobby visits and ask for support of SB 930. Above, Member Theresa Said explains to assemblywomen’s Galgiani’s legislative assistant how difficult it would be to fingerprint her clients small fingers.

The last stop before leaving the Capitol -- feeling happy and victorious! L-R Evelyn Dorsey, Cori Crowson, Debbie Owens, Maria Rubalacava, Marie Mathis, Theresa Said & Mason Drury.