Press Releases - Advocacy Center

3/19/12 - 10:00 AM by Pamela Fisher

AC Investigation Reveals Serious Neglect at Group Homes Across the State

CLOP report cover On Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 the Advocacy Center released the results of a three year investigation into conditions at facilities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state, When A House Is Not A Home: An investigation into conditions, care, and treatment in select group homes for people with intellectual disabilities in Louisiana.

3/2/12 - 11:22 AM by Pamela Fisher

Final Approval Granted on Settlement in Suit over Personal Care Services

Final approval has been granted for the Department of Health and Hospitals' (DHH) settlement in a class action brought by Medicaid beneficiaries of the Long-Term Personal Care Services (LT-PCS) Program, expanding access to the Community Choice Waiver Program to more class members. The plaintiffs in this case were represented by the Advocacy Center, co-counsel Steven F. Gold, and AARP Foundation Litigation.

1/14/12 - 04:00 PM by Pamela Fisher

Settlement Reached in Suit over Personal Care Services

The Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) has reached a settlement in a class action brought by Medicaid beneficiaries of the Long-Term Personal Care Services (LT-PCS) Program, expanding access to the Community Choice Waiver Program to more class members. The plaintiffs in this case were represented by the Advocacy Center, co-counsel Steven F. Gold, and AARP Foundation Litigation.

1/13/12 - 04:15 PM by Pamela Fisher

Settlement Reached Regarding Wheelchair-Accessible Seating at Mahalia Jackson Theater

Wheelchair Advocacy Center reaches settlement with Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans that will significantly improve access for people with disabilities.

10/7/11 - 12:00 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Concerned about Disability Issues? Check Out Candidates' Responses

Election Hotline The Advocacy Center surveyed all the candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Senator, State Representative and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education membership.

8/10/11 - 10:08 AM by Stephanie Patrick

Seniors and People with Disabilities Avoid Institutionalization

Man's face Read about a policy change that will allow more people to qualify for Medicaid-funded home and community based services.

6/28/11 - 01:32 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Cara Hoffman’s So Much Pretty book event to benefit Advocacy Center

Advocacy Center and Maple Street Book Shop will partner to bring bestselling author Cara Hoffman to New Orleans, in her first appearance in the state. Hoffman will read passages from her critically acclaimed novel, So Much Pretty, field questions about the work, and sign copies of the book for attendees. The event will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 6:00pm at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, 7100 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. Sales of the book online will also be donated.

6/9/11 - 08:51 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Advocacy Center’s Lois Simpson Named as Role Model

Advocacy Center Executive Director Lois Simpson has been named as one of the Young Leadership Council’s 2011 Role Models for young leaders in New Orleans.

4/13/11 - 09:40 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Court Order Ensures Treatment for Prisoners with Disabilities

In a victory for Louisianans with disabilities, today a federal court in New Orleans entered a consent decree requiring adequate treatment and care long denied to detainees with mental illness housed in the state's prisons.

1/24/11 - 09:31 PM by Stephanie Patrick

PRISONER WITH MENTAL ILLNESS SUES JAIL FOR GROSSLY INADEQUATE TREATMENT

Roger Mason is a 52-year-old man with Schizophrenia. On August 18, 2009, Mr. Mason was arrested and placed in Tangipahoa Parish Prison. Despite clear evidence of Mr. Mason’s mental illness, the prison staff provided grossly inadequate care to him for 5 months.

11/2/10 - 10:41 AM by Stephanie Patrick

Voting Questions? The Advocacy Center Has Answers.

For the last 4 years, the Advocacy Center has staffed a voting hotline to answer questions from people with disabilities and seniors. Questions to the hotline include:

11/1/10 - 07:38 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Access to Vote Is a Fundamental Civil Right

Joe is blind and wants to vote using the audio ballot. When he requests this at the polls, he’s told the audio ballot attachment is broken.

10/13/10 - 04:02 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Advocates Honored for Commitment to People with Disabilities and Seniors

On Friday, October 15th, the Advocacy Center will recognize 5 outstanding advocates for their commitment to the philosophy that every life is worth living and that all people should be afforded full community inclusion to the maximum extent possible.

10/1/10 - 03:27 PM by Stephanie Patrick

Do You Have Voting Questions?

On October 2, 2010, the Advocacy Center will mobilize to staff a voting hotline for people with disabilities. People can call or email to find out where they vote, find out what’s on their ballot, complain about a voting problem, or learn more about laws and policies designed to help voters with disabilities.

9/22/10 - 07:32 PM by Stephanie Patrick

CLASS ACTION FILED TO STOP CUTS IN HOME CARE

Seeking to prevent nearly 11,000 low-income people with severe disabilities from losing services and being institutionalized in nursing facilities, the Advocacy Center yesterday filed a class action lawsuit against the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) and its Secretary, on behalf of four people who receive Medicaid-funded personal care services.