Cal-TASH Board Members, membership and representatives from the Infant Development Association (IDA) and the North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) completed 16 legislative visits at the California State Capitol on February 26, 2026. The primary focus of these visits was to advocate for preserving, protecting, enhancing, and sustaining the promise of the Lanterman Act, and to ensure that—especially in light of ongoing federal and state actions—all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have access to a full range of choice-driven, person-centered services. In partnership with IDA, advocates also highlighted the challenges facing early intervention programs as a result of state rate reform. Additional advocacy efforts included educating legislators on state and federal roles, responsibilities, and current concerns related to special education.
Cal-TASH was honored to close out our 2026 Conference with a fireside chat with Jim LeBrecht, co-director and co-producer of Crip Camp and director of Change Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, our Board of Directors was pleased to recognize him as our 2026 recipient of the Positive Images in the Media Award that is given to presentations in print, film, or other forms of media that contribute to the elimination of stereotypes by portraying people with disabilities and their lives accurately with recognition of the complexities of being human.
