California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the release of the fifth edition of "Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities." This handbook, issued by the California Department of Justice's Disability Rights Bureau, provides an overview of state and federal laws that protect individuals with disabilities. It addresses various areas such as employment, housing, healthcare, education, voting, and telecommunications.
Attorney General Bonta stated, "At California DOJ, we are committed to ensuring that all individuals have access to inclusive and respectful environments free from discrimination, including discrimination based on disability." He emphasized the importance of providing information on disability rights to support accessibility for all Californians.
The updated handbook is available online and includes new chapters on topics such as access to businesses and public accommodations, healthcare services, employment rights, housing discrimination protections, educational rights in K-12 settings, voting accessibilities, building accessibility requirements, telecommunications services access, benefits for people with disabilities, and the use of service animals.
Bonta's commitment extends beyond the publication. He has supported updates to ADA regulations concerning web accessibility for government entities and defended housing access for persons with disabilities. Additionally, he has recommended revisions to strengthen student rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
For further details about the Disability Rights Bureau or to access the handbook chapters released since January 2024, visit https://oag.ca.gov/civil/disability-rights.