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CA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION
NETWORK
CAPITOL NEWS REPORT - ISSUE #179-2004 OCTOBER 5, 2004 - TUESDAY AFTERNOON Linking people to disability rights and unified action NEW Website location: www.cdcan.us Toll-free info Lines Up Long Time Disability
Rights Advocate
SACRAMENTO - L. Natasha Littletree, a longtime and beloved disability rights advocate passed away today (October 5) after a brief illness, at the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa. Littletree, at the time of her passing, served as the chair of the Area Board IV on Developmental Disabilities. Peter Mendoza, chair of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, which oversees the 13 Area Boards said that called L Natasha Littletree "... a valued Area Board IV Chair, a statewide advocate, and gifted writer" and praised her efforts as an advocate. Littletree, who had physical and developmental disabilities, is survived by an adult daughter, Jamaica, and her longtime partner of and friend of over 16 years, Mark Foxwell. Littletree, who went to college and graduated - and was known also for her writings, much of which she posted on her website at http://www.sonic.net/~lnatasha/. Mark Foxwell said earlier how much Natasha Littletree took pride in her writings and was an avid user and writer of emails to friends and advocates everywhere. But Littletree was best known across the state for her appearances at countless legislative and budget hearings, testifying for the rights of people with disabilities and seniors. Littletree was known for her passionate advocacy in pushing California to fully comply with the 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead Decision that required the states to take measures to prevent "unnecessary institutionalization" under the federal Americans With Disabilities Act. She, along with thousands of others, converged on the State Capitol on December 10th last year to testify against the Governor's initial budget proposals that called for the suspension of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, and other major cuts impacting people with disabilities and seniors. She most recently testifed at a informational hearing by the Assembly Select Committee on Olmstead, chaired by Assemblymember Lynn Daucher (R-Brea) late last month. IN MEMORY OF NATASHA
LITTLETREE - WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HER
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