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ULS January 2026 Newsletter
ULS offices will be closed next month on February 16 in observation of President's Day.
DC Assistive Technology Program
Making Independence Possible
This month, the DC Assistive Technology Program (DCATP) hosted a workshop called "Making Independence Possible," where we familiarized seniors with assistive technology devices, apps, and smartphone features.
Our Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist Leonard and Outreach Specialist Deborah worked with twelve residents from the Roundtree Residences, an apartment building in Southeast DC for addults 55+.
AT Specialist Leonard opened by described various apps and assistive technology devices to support wellness and aging in place. For the second half of the workshop. DCATP specialists taught participants how to set up accessibility features and use general features on their device. The participants were divided into two groups - those with Android phones and those with iPhone.
Attendees requested and learned how to:
- Delete phone numbers and pictures
- Send photos to people
Enlarge the font and icons their phone
- Change the phone from light mode to dark mode
- Recover deleted pictures
Block spam calls on their phone.
Activate Live Captions and LED flash alerts for incoming calls for individuals with hearing impairments.
Seniors left with greater knowledge and confidence in using their smartphones. The resident coordinator shared, “Our residents gained valuable hands-on knowledge on how to better use their electronic devices.”
Disability Rights DC
Unsafe Conditions at St Elizabeths
Last week, DRDC Senior Staff Attorney Andrea Procaccino testified at the Public Roundtable on St. Elizabeths Hospital Operational and Safety Concerns. Her testimony focused on the hospital’s continued overuse of restraint and seclusion, practices that are deeply harmful and widely recognized as ineffective.
“For far too long, St. Elizabeths has subjected patients to the trauma of being physically restrained, strapped down to a bed and/or secluded alone in a locked room.” These interventions, which are legally permitted only in extreme emergencies, have instead become routine.
City data shows that in 2025, staff used physical restraint an average of 72 times per month — more than twice a day — with some months approaching four incidents per day. In her testimony, Andrea emphasized that restraint and seclusion do not improve safety, warning that research shows they “can actually fuel violence,” increasing the risk of serious injury, re-traumatization, and even death for both patients and staff.
A recent article by The Washington Post shines a light on DRDC’s continued concerns and the barrage of issues at the District-run psychiatric hospital. “St. Elizabeths in D.C. faces problems such as assaults, medication mismanagement, understaffing and lack of repairs, staff and patient advocates say.”
This coverage of the hearing underscored what DRDC has documented in reports and testimony for years: unsafe conditions, severe staffing shortages, failing infrastructure, and a lack of basic resources all contribute to escalating crises on hospital units. When patients lack adequate care, supplies, or access to services, restraint and seclusion are too often used as a default response.
As the federally designated protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities in DC, DRDC will continue to monitor conditions at St. Elizabeths and advocate for patients wellbeing. Our staff works tirelessly to elevate the voices of patients and press city leaders to move beyond promises toward meaningful, systemic change.
Testimony Highlights
Jaclyn Verner, Supervising Attorney
On December 10, DRDC Supervising Attorney Jaclyn testified in support of the DC City Council's Behavioral Health Housing Voucher Transparency Act of 2025.
Jaclyn advocated for the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to increase transparency around its process for choosing DBH housing voucher recipients.
"DRDC encourages the council to work with DBH to restore a voucher application process, a DBH voucher waitlist, and a standardized and publicly available process for selecting voucher recipients."
Elizabeth Myerholtz, Staff Attorney
On December 10, DRDC Attorney Elizabeth testified in support of the Judith Heumann Memorial Workers with Disabilities Act of 2025 last week. This bill would create a Medicaid buy-in program for DC residents with disabilities.
"People with disabilities should not have to worry about losing their healthcare and critical supports when their income increases."
This bill could expand economic opportunity, support workplace inclusion, and remove long-standing barriers that keep many people with disabilities from pursuing higher-paying jobs.
Our team is hard at work advocating for DC residents with disabilities. Read Elizabeth's full testimony on our website.
Housing Counseling Program
Check Out Our Housing Webinars!
Every month, the Housing Counseling Program (HCP) holds webinars to help residents navigate DC’s housing programs. Our webinars cover the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), the Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Program, and the Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP). We also offer select webinars in Spanish. Learn more and register below!
Jail and Prison Advocacy Program
Client Art Feature
Images from a comic book created by a former JPAP client, submitted to the newsletter.
Tenant Purchase Assistance Program
2025 Program Highlights
In 2025, ULS’s Tenant Purchase Assistance Program (TPAP) continued its hands-on work with limited-equity housing cooperatives across DC, helping resident-led communities improve financial stability, preserve affordability, and invest in their buildings for the long term.
Minnesota Gardens Cooperative
At the 48-unit Residence at Minnesota Gardens Cooperative, ULS worked with the co-op board to design a financial incentive program that encourages members to reduce outstanding balances and delinquencies while also lowering electricity use. The results are promising: member balances and delinquencies are projected to drop from more than $35,000 in December 2024 to under $15,000 by December 2025
Residents have also reduced electricity usage, which is expected to translate into lower utility expenses in the 2025 audit. These improvements help strengthen the co-op’s financial footing and support long-term affordability for residents.
Minnesota Gardens Cooperative
At the 26-unit Garden View Cooperative, ULS supported the co-op board through the completion of a DC DHCD Small Building Program renovation grant. This funding allowed for new windows, new kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans, electrical upgrades, and other critical repairs that improve both safety and quality of life for residents.
ULS also helped facilitate a solar proposal that would combine roof repairs or replacement with solar panel installation — a project that could reduce electricity bills by approximately $10,000 annually. This type of forward-looking investment helps co-ops control costs while improving sustainability.
Brightwood Gardens Cooperative and Water Monitoring Efforts
Water usage monitoring was another key focus in 2025, with TPAP tracking consumption across nine cooperatives and encouraging boards and property managers to complete leak inspections and repairs.
At the 52-unit Brightwood Gardens Cooperative, TPAP coordinated a plumber to inspect apartments for leaking toilets and other issues. After recommended repairs were identified and addressed, the co-op’s monthly water bills dropped from over $6,000 to under $4,000. Maintaining these reductions will be critical as the co-op works toward a balanced budget in 2026.
