CDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS REPORT #144-2011 – JULY 7, 2011 – THURSDAY EVENING

Death Stuns Disability and Senior Rights Advocates Across State - Was President of Californians for Disability Rights (CDR) Statewide Advocacy Organization

SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN)  [Last updated 07/07/2011 09:30 PM] - Laura Williams, a widely respected and long time disability and senior rights advocate passed away unexpectedly, it was learned today.  Williams passed away Wednesday morning at around 10 :00 AM , according to friends.:  There are no details available yet regarding services.

Williams, who lived in Los Angeles, was also lthe long time president of the Californians for Disability Rights (CDR) statewide advocacy organization.  She was known and respected for her passionate stands for people with disabilities and seniors on a wide range of issues including the State’s compliance of the 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead Decision, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. 

She was a constant voice and visible presence at State Capitol hearings and meetings on issues ranging from In-Home Supportive Services, developmental services, transportation, housing, and access to public accomodations for children and adults with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and others. 

She participated at the recent Olmstead Advisory Committee to California Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley in April, by phone, offering many comments throughout the meeting regarding the need for the State to move forward and aggressively toward full compliance of the landmark US Supreme Court Olmstead Decision. 

Ben Rockwell, a member of Californians for Disability Rights and also a widely respected disability rights advocate, was notified of Williams’ passing by her son. Rockwell, said that the list serve for the CDR membership is temporarily down because it was moderated by Williams.  [Note: CDCAN will send out information about any details of services]   

Note from Marty Omoto:  I am deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of Laura Williams – as so many of us are.  She was and will always be to so many people across the State – a strong, decent and good presence in our lives.  It is so hard to accept and realize that we will not see her as we did. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family – she loved being a grandmother .I will have more to write about Laura in the next few days.  I am too shocked right now to write anything further – other than to recall the words of Hemingway: that everyone is broken by life – but some are made stronger in the broken places.  Somehow, Laura was strong in those broken places, and her friendship, her leadership, her advocacy – helped all of us to be stronger too.  She was deeply treasured and loved as a friend by so many of us no matter where we stood on issues because she was a person who cared, who was decent and compassionate.  She will be terribly missed for all those things – and most of all as a friend – as a mother and grandmother.  As a person whose life mattered. 

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UDW Newswire Update, Monday, July 11: Both the Assembly and Senate will adjourn on Thursday, July 14, in memory of Laura Williams.  Assembly Member Beall with make the motion to adjourn in memory of Laura on the Assembly side and Senator Ellen Corbett will handle this on the Senate side  Both houses are televised – so people can watch online at www.calchannel.com or using the live-feed at www.assembly.ca.gov and www.senate.ca.gov