Andy Imparato

CEO @DisabilityCA, @HPRScholars advisor, Harkinista, Sacramentan, my tweets are my own. He, him, his.

[Andy Imparato @AndyDRC]

#FF @joanne_sansome @pplwillbefree @HabenGirma @nicaprincessa @LexStepp @emony21 @Jeharrislaw @KerisWithaK @AsieduEdmund @CandaceCableNow @victorpineda @ClaudiaLGordon @FarinhaShe74765 @JudgeWren @YEP4Rights @debraruh @NeilMilliken @AkwyZ @anillife @nikasoonshiong @DisabilityCA

[Disability Rights California @DisabilityCA]

The Peer Self-Advocacy Program and the California Memorial Project will soon host its 24th Annual Remembrance Ceremony. This special gathering is an opportunity to come together in honor, reflection, and hope as we remember and uplift our peers with mental health, intellectual, and developmental disabilities who lived—or currently live—in state institutions and locked facilities. Too often, their lives, voices, experiences, and humanity have gone unseen, unheard, and forgotten. Please join us, either virtually or in-person, as we celebrate the strength, resilience, and humanity of our peers and continue advocating for communities where every person is respected, valued, included, and free to live with dignity, choice, and hope.

Learn more by visiting the link: https://t.co/Ce3j7badrx
At the link, you will be able to access the virtual ceremony at the noted date and time below.

Virtual Ceremony
When: Monday September 21, 2026 at
1:00 PM
(ASL Interpreter, Spanish Language Interpreter and Live Captions available)

In-person at Manteca
When: Monday, September 21, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Where: Parkview Cemetery
3661 French Camp Road
Manteca, CA 95336

In-person at Stockton
When: Monday, September 21, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Where: Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) (Memorial rock/water area)
702 N. Aurora St.
Stockton, CA 95202

In-person at Norwalk
When: Monday, September 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Where: DSH-Metropolitan James Hall Auditorium
11401 South Bloomfield Ave
Norwalk, CA 90650

In-Person at Patton
When: Monday, September 21, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Where: DSH-Patton
3102 Highland Ave
Patton, CA 92369

Together, we honor the memories of those lost, acknowledge the experiences of those currently living in institutions, and reaffirm our commitment to a future beyond stigma, discrimination, neglect, mistreatment, ignorance, and judgment.

As California continues to face growing reliance on involuntary hospitalization and forced treatment as responses to society’s challenges, it is more important than ever that we gather in solidarity to raise awareness, restore dignity, and advocate for the rights, freedom, and self-determination of all people.

#DisabilityRightsCA #CaliforniaMemorialProject #Virtual #IDD #StateInstitutions

[Disability Rights California @DisabilityCA]

September is D/deaf Awareness Month! This is a time to shine a light on the experiences, languages, and identities of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communities. Together we can raise awareness about communication access, support sign language rights, and foster inclusion across all areas of life.

In celebration and recognition of this month, we'd like to highlight a few crucial, Deaf-led organizations throughout California! Check out and support these organizations which serve a number of D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals and families.

Deaf-led Organizations:
- Bay Area Asian Deaf Association (BAADA): https://t.co/cSbG69Xyyy
- Deaf Counseling Advocacy & Referral Agency (DCARA): https://t.co/ryBk3X76TV
- Deaf Hope: https://t.co/xVkLaBEvz6
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center (DHHSC): https://t.co/JO0HobpnmJ
- Deaf Plus Adult Community (DPAC): https://t.co/L9E8BIEzMx
- NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing: https://t.co/WlhWLVJ61M
- Southern California Asian Deaf Association (SCADA): https://t.co/zF1lZLY6ku

#DisabilityRightsCA #DeafAwarenessMonth #HardOfHearing #DHH #NorCal #ASL @DeafHopeTweet @DHHSCtweets @DPACommunity @NorCalDeafSvcs

[Andy Imparato @AndyDRC]

#FF @Momvocatemills @emony21 @nicaprincessa @LexStepp @KerisWithaK @Debbieke @pplwillbefree @joanne_sansome @JudgeWren @YEP4Rights @nikasoonshiong @karentamley @Claudia_SF @tapinedo @FarinhaShe74765 @HabenGirma @katherinewolf @V_a_nessa_Ramos @AsieduEdmund @NeilMilliken @AkwyZ

[Disability Rights California @DisabilityCA]

Our team at DRC have been hard at work across the state of California. We're taking a look back at a few highlights from our team during the month of August! Let's take a look at what everyone was up to in this DRC Wrap Up for August 2026!

We look forward to continuing our work in partnership with disabled people to defend rights, advance opportunities, grow power, and expand public support for disability justice in California and beyond.

#DisabilityRightsCA #DRCWrapUp #DeafAwarenessMonth #Advocacy #HealthNotHatm #Recap @AndyDRC @emony21 @V_a_nessa_Ramos @UniteThePoor @MercedBPSB @LakeshoreFound @SDCBlind

[Andy Imparato @AndyDRC]

#FF @pplwillbefree @joanne_sansome @LexStepp @nicaprincessa @anillife @YEP4Rights @AsieduEdmund @AkwyZ @nikasoonshiong @FarinhaShe74765 @KerisWithaK @AngelaMSWinCA @Tuesdaywithliz @ClaudiaLGordon @emony21 @Jeharrislaw @katherinewolf @NeilMilliken @debraruh @HabenGirma @AAPD

[Lakeshore Foundation @LakeshoreFound]

@AndyDRC's awesome tattoo origin story!

Stream the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. https://t.co/YoPi2FyeKW

#Podcast #DisabilityPodcast #DisabilityAdvocacy #DisabilityRights

[Lakeshore Foundation @LakeshoreFound]

Our fourth episode of the season is live, and this week we’re joined by special guest @AndyDRC!

This episode is all about the heart of our podcast: advocacy! Andy's wealth of knowledge and experience makes for an incredible conversation about the disability rights movement and what it means to be an advocate. Plus, a special appearance by Lakeshore CEO @john_d_kemp! Stream now on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. https://t.co/0QZ8MmS9gY

#Podcast #DisabilityPodcast #DisabilityAdvocacy #DisabilityRights

[Lakeshore Foundation @LakeshoreFound]

Interesting and important conversation on the future of civil rights for the disability community 👏

Stream the full episode wherever you get your podcasts!

@AndyDRC @john_d_kemp
#Podcast #DisabilityPodcast #DisabilityAdvocacy #DisabilityRights

[Disability Rights California @DisabilityCA]

California legislators listened and STOPPED two dangerous CARE Court expansion bills: SB 28 and SB 1016! Mental health peers and partners have sent a clear message to Sacramento: we want voluntary, community-based mental health services and supports that work; not harmful, ineffective coercion or forced treatment.

We’re grateful for everyone who was part of this coalition effort – for sending letters, making calls, joining rallies, and providing powerful testimony.

Moving forward, we are hopeful that our elected officials in California will look at the evidence, listen to the people most impacted, and redirect our policy and budget towards what we know works: housing and voluntary supportive services.

#DisabilityRightsCA #CAREcourt #SB28 #SB1016 #CaliforniaLegislation
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Image Description: Bold Text: CARE Court Expansion Bills STOPPED! | SB 28 & SB 1016. Blue/green DRC logo. Background photo of a computer screen with logo text: CARE Court. There are a stack of legal books sitting on a podium and U.S. flags nearby. Cut out photo of the California Capitol.

[Andy Imparato @AndyDRC]

https://t.co/CEQRXT36ZH

[Andy Imparato @AndyDRC]

#FF @emony21 @KerisWithaK @pplwillbefree @LexStepp @nicaprincessa @joanne_sansome @AsieduEdmund @JudgeWren @katherinewolf @YEP4Rights @nikasoonshiong @FarinhaShe74765 @Jeharrislaw @JerseyShabazz @karentamley @HabenGirma @CrosbyCromwell @Rylin_Rodgers @JessicAccess @AkwyZ

[Disability Rights California @DisabilityCA]

Happy 1st anniversary to The Game Plan podcast! In honor of this special occasion, we flipped the script and put our host Eric in the interview seat. He sat down with DRC’s Chief Executive Officer Andy Imparato to talk about his experience as a wheelchair basketball player, his early introduction to the world of politics, and the future of the disability rights movement. @AndyDRC @emony21

Watch the podcast on YouTube with ASL, at the link: https://t.co/pq735h2Pkm

You can also access the audio version of the podcast on the platforms below!
Substack: https://t.co/Qi4qWkKx7i
Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/Pa0UMwgWjB
Spotify: https://t.co/RKMCSD4VNk
Amazon Music: https://t.co/iePPCEpAXM

Whether you’ve been listening or watching from the start, or this is your first episode, thank you. We’re excited to continue uplifting perspectives in the disability community!

#DisabilityRightsCA #TheGamePlan #EricHarris #BORP #AdaptiveSports

[Andy Imparato @AndyDRC]

https://t.co/7T4f8ED5qt

[Disability Rights California @DisabilityCA]

Over the weekend, DRC Public Policy Analyst Tremmel Watson had the great opportunity to attend the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival and connect with members of the Deaf community, share information about DRC’s services, and answer questions about resources available to individuals and families. The event was directed by DRC Board Member Antoine Hunter and was held at the Crissy Field Center and East Meadow in San Francisco.

It was a lively event with fantastic dance performances! It was such a great space to connect together and dance with old and new friends. Thank you Antoine and the Urban Jazz Dance Company for your work putting this event together!

#DisabilityRightsCA #SanFrancisco #DeafCommunity #UrbanJazzDanceCompany #Dance

[Andy Imparato @AndyDRC]

People with disabilities say Medicaid’s limits on income stifle career advancement https://t.co/ED5BukWGPk

[Ginger Lerner-Wren @JudgeWren]

#FF @AndyDRC @V_a_nessa_Ramos @alikat747 @morgfair @MusicJim2 @DisabilityCA @hrw @NeilMilliken @joanne_sansome @BarryMotivates Have a great weekend 👩🏻‍⚖️🌺⚖️🎉

[Joanne Sansome @joanne_sansome]

#FF @gymforthesoul @JudgeWren @AndyDRC @castleDD @VictoriaGraf1 @Chris_McClem @fobakesbadly @Foodstock__ @AAPD
@johnpringdns @PhysicalImpair @PhoenixRises_24 @ImtacNI @shakespeare_d @spankychair @MykeyLorimer @GalwayCIL @SJA_McC @MarkYoung23 @KylaHollywood @Donate4Daithi 💜

[Andy Imparato @AndyDRC]

#FF @joanne_sansome @JudgeWren @LexStepp @nicaprincessa @pplwillbefree @DisabilityCA @YEP4Rights @AsieduEdmund @reenadeasis @V_a_nessa_Ramos @emony21 @karentamley @HabenGirma @KerisWithaK @Debbieke @Jeharrislaw @McNhlapo @ElenaHung202 @anillife @disasterstrat @AkwyZ

[Disability Rights California @DisabilityCA]

This week we released the first episode of our new documentary short series, "The Power Healthcare Gives Us"! Each episode will follow a different person with a disability as they share how critical support programs like Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) empower them to live full lives and contribute greatly to their communities.

Check out the first episode at the link: https://t.co/SquLebgKcG

Versions are available in American Sign Language (ASL) and with audio descriptions.

Ana is a disability advocate, mother, and leader who is able to powerfully serve her community and help defend the rights of people with disabilities in healthcare and supportive services. Ana is a fierce advocate and she reminds us that we the people have the power to urge much needed change and progress in healthcare access.

#DisabilityRightsCA #ThePowerHealthcareGivesUs #MediCal #IHSS #Documentary
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Video Description: Video Description: Vertical video of 2 videos, one on top of the other, with frame text at the top: The Power Healthcare Gives Us. Blue/green DRC logo. Top video of a documentary clip following Ana, a Latina woman with dark and gray hair pulled in a bun. Video starts with Ana speaking in her office and transitions to her advocating at the California Capitol. Below, an ASL interpreter.