Disability Law Center Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Landmark Supreme Court Ruling "Olmstead v. L.C."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities constitutes discrimination under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.The plaintiffs in Olmstead brought suit after they remained institutionalized in a psychiatric facility despite the fact that they and their doctors felt they were ready to live in the community. The Court in Olmstead recognized the harms and indignities individuals suffer when they are physically segregated from their community. These are the very harms attorneys from the Disability Law Center witnessed when visiting with individuals with intellectual disabilities confined to private institutions called intermediate care facilities.
In Utah approximately 600 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live in private institutions, separated from their communities with few opportunities to achieve the independence most individuals take for granted. To remedy these harms, the DLC filed a class action lawsuit against the State of Utah on January 12, 2018 alleging that the State operated its service system in a way that unnecessarily segregated individuals with intellectual disabilities in private institutions, violating Title II of the ADA and the principles in Olmstead. Since filing the DLC, the Utah Department of Health, and the Division of Services for People with Disabilities engaged in settlement discussions and jointly filed for approval of a proposed settlement that would resolve the lawsuit. The proposed settlement will allow approximately 300 individuals with intellectual disabilities to transition out of institutional settings over 6 years.
"We are proud that our settlement will help so many access community-based services, and, while there has been progress in the 20 years since Olmstead, there is still work to be done," said Laura Henrie, Associate Legal Director of the DLC. "Recent federal regulations do require the State to ensure community services give individuals with disabilities the same opportunities as anyone else. They can make everyday choices like when to eat or got to bed, who to spend time with, and even larger life choices like where to work or live, and whether or not to pursue a romantic relationship. But, unfortunately, many individuals receiving community-based services still continue to work in segregated workshops and face barriers to integration. So we'll spend the next 20 years, or however long it takes, working to fulfill the promises of Olmstead."
As a result of the lawsuit, named plaintiff in Christensen v. Miner, Staci Christensen, has moved from her institutional setting into the community. Staci is very happy to have more choices about her life in the community, "I really like that I get to go grocery shopping, and to get the food that I want to eat, to cook my own meals. I just feel a lot safer in an environment I chose." Staci agrees, however, that there is still work to be done, "Still I get frustrated at times, like with transportation. It would help me get out more and be more independent if I had better access."
The Disability Law Center is a private non-profit organization. The DLC's mission is to enforce and strengthen laws that protect the opportunities, choices and legal rights of Utahns with disabilities. Our services are available statewide and free of charge, regardless of income, legal status, language, or place of residence.
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For more information, interviews with attorneys or Staci Christensen, or photos please contact Nate Crippes at (801) 910-5815, or email at ncrippes@disabilitylawcenter.org.
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Touring this Summer on the Rockstar Energy Drink DISRUPT Festival
JULIET SIMMS
Signs to Sumerian Records
Releases New Single & Music Video
"Bad Love"
Touring this Summer with the
Rockstar Energy Drink DISRUPT Festival
Los Angeles, CA - June 21, 2019 - Soulful, sophisticated, and more fiery than ever, bluesy rock singer/songwriter Juliet Simms has returned with her first new single in over a year. Along with the track, titled "Bad Love," comes the announcement that she has signed to renowned Los Angeles-based label Sumerian Records. Fans can watch the new music video for "Bad Love" now: youtu.be/qJDcVMKwuwc.
"This song means the world to me, for the majority of my career up to this point I have felt as if I have been unable to create freely in the way that I have always wanted to. Now with the release of my new single 'Bad Love' I am finally able to lay it all out there so to speak, to not hide behind anything and to be open and honest as an artist with my audience," Simms shares. "This is a new era for me in my life and career and I couldn't be more excited about going into this chapter with Sumerian records and working with a tremendous producer like Scott Stevens. Both the single and really the entirety of my upcoming full length record are representative of a reinvention and rebirth for me as a writer, singer and performer and I can't wait for everyone to hear what I have been working on!"
She continues: "For the video for Bad Love' I was able to work with my longtime friend and collaborator Patrick Fogarty to create something that in my mind unapologetically shows both my vulnerability but also my power and strength as a woman. My story is one of peaks and valleys and through it all I have remained strong in my resolve to carry on and fight for what I believe in. This video to me shows just that. The raw power of passion, pain, love, sorrow & heart. Getting to spend two days shooting with Bob the snake was an absolute dream come true. Bob actually happens to be a girl but plays the role of a metaphorical entity in which I'll leave a mystery for my listeners to interpret. In the story of my video - "he" represents a lot more than what's on the surface.
Simms adds: "I can't wait to play this song on stage every day this summer, it means everything to me and I hope you all enjoy it!"
Simms will be bringing the new song to audiences across North America this summer on the Rockstar Energy Drink DISRUPT Festival. Featuring some of the biggest bands in rock as well as the genre's rising stars, the touring festival kicks off today in Dallas, TX, and features performances from The Used, Thrice, Circa Survive, Sum 41, Sleeping With Sirens, Andy Black, and more. Please visit rockstardisrupt.com for tickets and full line-up details by city.
Juliet Simms has lived a lifetime in her 12 years in the music industry, writing hundreds of songs, releasing 4 EPs and 3 full length albums, producing numerous videos, touring for 6 years, and appearing as a guest vocalist for a host of bands from All Time Low to Black Veil Brides, Cartel, and Secondhand Serenade. She also placed second on the hit reality show "The Voice," where she broke 2 Billboard download records for her recordings of "Roxanne" and "It's a Man's World."
Simms' recording career officially began in Los Angeles at age 16, when she signed to a new record label Umbrella Records. She recorded her first EP with Richie Zito, who produced and wrote for Elton John, the Motels, and Heart. While recording she began promoting her songs through Myspace and her band, Automatic Loveletter, quickly became the top emo band on that platform, attracting attention from several major record labels.
After showcasing for music industry icons like L.A. Reid, Jimmy Iovine, Wyclef Jean, and Don Ienner, she finally signed with Epic Records in 2005. She and her band recorded a full length album with Matt Squire - later released as the EP Recover. With the music industry change over to digital downloads from 2006-2008, she ended up leaving the struggling Epic Records in 2009 and stowing away on the Vans Warped Tour with her guitar in hand. In 2010, Juliet signed with RCA in USA and Sony in Japan, where she filmed the beautiful music video for "Story of My Life."
The story of Juliet's life has been as exciting as it has been difficult. Often the only female in the room, whether in a recording studio or on tour with all male bands, she discovered that rock and roll truly is a man's world, but that as a female rocker, the adversity she has faced has made her a stronger and more creative artist with better stories to tell.
For More Information, please visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JulietSimms
Twitter: www.twitter.com/JulietSimmsALL
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thejulietsimms
Website: www.julietsimms.com
Download a high res press photo here (credit Ashley Osborne).
Download high res single artwork here.
Upcoming Tour Dates
6/21 - Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion
6/22 - Austin, TX @ Austin360 Amphitheater
6/23 - The Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
6/25 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Coral Sky Amphitheatre at S. Florida Fairground
6/26 - Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
6/28 - Atlanta, GA @ Cellairis Amphitheare at Lakewood
6/29 - Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
6/30 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Vans Warped Tour
7/2 - Syracuse, NY @ St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
7/3 - Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
7/5 - Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
7/6 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
7/7 - Hartford, CT @ XFINITY Theatre
7/9 - Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
7/10 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
7/12 - Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7/13 - Thornville, OH @ Legend Valley
7/14 - Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
7/15 - Maryland Heights, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7/17 - Denver, CO @ Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre*
7/20 - Irvine, CA @ Five Point Amphitheater presented by Mercury Insurance
7/21 - Mountain View, CA @ Vans Warped Tour
7/23 - Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
7/24 - Boise, ID @ Idaho Center Amphitheatre
7/26 - Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
7/27 - Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion
7/28 - Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
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