Kate Thorstad
Host: Disability Rights Louisiana
Sponsor: Disaster Resilience Program
Current Fellow
Stephanie worked to remedy discriminatory practices, throughout the preparedness, response, and recovery phases of disasters and emergencies, which unlawfully deny or create unreasonable barriers for individuals with disabilities in accessing and providing an equitable opportunity of benefiting from disaster and emergency services.
Inequities experienced and seen during and after a disaster are a direct correlation to marginalized and vulnerable populations not accounted for in preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts. All entities providing resources and services to prepare, respond and recover must ensure the needs of individuals with disabilities are accounted for, as well as accommodated to ensure an equitable opportunity to benefit from all programs and activities.
Stephanie provided direct services and resources to individuals with disabilities across the state who experienced discriminatory practices in disaster and emergency services. She educated the legal community about the legal issues specific to individuals with disabilities throughout all phases of disasters and emergencies. Stephanie also pursued impact litigation based on systemic issues the disability community faces in disaster and emergencies.
Stephanie previously served as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in the Disaster Recovery Legal Corps, where she provided direct legal services for two years and saw first-hand the inequities experienced by individuals with disabilities. Disparities which exist prior to a disaster and emergency, are exacerbated by our failure to ensure equitable opportunities to prepare, survive, and recover from any tragedy. Stephanie believes equitable opportunities are possible and will work to safeguard nondiscriminatory processes and mechanisms for marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Civil Rights and Protections During the Federal Response to Hurricanes Harvey and María
Disaster-Related Trauma: Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Resilience
Disability Rights: Equal Access After a Disaster
New law requires wellness checks during crises for the medically fragile who depend on power
Meet the 2021 Class of Disaster Resilience Program Student Fellows
Equal Justice Works Raises Visibility of Role of Legal Aid in Disaster Response and Preparedness
Disaster Legal Aid Trainings: What You Need to Know About Applying for Disaster Housing Assistance
Disaster Legal Aid Trainings: Disaster Services and Accessibility within the American Red Cross
Better Disaster Prep for Texans Most at Risk" w. Stephanie Duke, Dis. Rights TX
Disaster Legal Aid Trainings: After a Disaster: ID Theft, Scams, and Insurance
Supporting Communities with Disaster Resilience Lawyering
Equal Justice Works Fellows to Host Disaster Legal Aid Trainings
Power Restoration Continues As Texas Grid Expects To Emerge From 'Emergency Conditions'
They have chronic illnesses. Then, the power went out in Texas. 'It's been emotionally exhausting.'
LMU Law Review to Host Virtual Symposium "Disaster Lawyering in the Age of COVID"
Develop Your Legal Skills by Supporting Disaster Survivors
Host: Disability Rights Louisiana
Sponsor: Disaster Resilience Program
Current Fellow
Host: YMCA International Services
Sponsor: Disaster Resilience Program
Host: Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc.
Sponsor: Disaster Resilience Program
Host: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc.
Sponsor: Disaster Resilience Program