Preserving the Rights of People with Disabilities: Digging Deeper Into the Issues

Abuse and neglect

The National Disability Rights Network was formed in response to outrage as the abuse of institutionalized children with disabilities came to light in the 1970’s.  Unfortunately, these abuses still continue in the U.S., and Disability Rights International is still fighting to stop restraint and unethical treatment at a Massachusetts facility.

Accessibility

People with disabilities have a right to access government and private businesses and services, yet they are often denied these rights due to architectural and communication.  In the United States, work continues to ensure the six million businesses and non-profits and 80,000 government units all comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act to secure equal access. 

Criminal Justice

It is estimated that over half of adult prisoners, and more than 70% of juveniles in contact with the justice system, have some form of physical or mental disability.  The justice system is not designed for these individuals.  Particularly for juveniles, their crimes are often unrecognized behaviors related to their disabilities.  However, not only do they end up with longer sentences and harsher conditions, the treatments they receive often worsen their behavior and disability.  They need advocacy to change the justice system so that it defends them, rather than punishes them for their disabilities.

Disaster Management

Many people with disabilities were stranded during evacuations from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita because they were not included in evacuation plans.  Learning from this catastrophe, disaster plans now include strategies to help ensure the safety of people with disabilities.

Education

A successful and inclusive public education is the primary way for children with disabilities to become integrated, independent, contributing community members; however, these rights to education are often contested and children are often inappropriately taught, restricted, or punished.  DRT has recently helped several children secure the treatment and education they deserve.

Employment

People with disabilities can and do enrich their communities and grow themselves as they fully participate by working; however, adults with disabilities are five times more likely to be chronically unemployed than non-disabled adults, earn a median wage that is one third lower, and often suffer poor working conditions.
Housing
People with disabilities often cannot obtain or keep appropriate housing due to discrimination, inaccessible facilities, and high costs.  They need advocacy and assistance to prevent discrimination and increase the availability of accessible and affordable housing.

Health Care

While people with disabilities are often in poorer health and at greater risk of secondary conditions than those without, they have limited access to health care due to lack of information and financial resources, lack of professionals trained to interact with and treat people with disabilities, lack of physical accessibility to facilities and medical equipment, and inadequate insurance coverage of key treatments such as specialized equipment, prescriptions, and physical therapy. 

Transportation

In 2002, six million people with disabilities had difficulty getting the transportation services they needed, with a particular deficit in rural areas.  Making public transit and paratransit services more accessible helps people with disabilities fully participate in their communities , be more independent, and access the other services they need.  

Voting

Extra oversight and advocacy is necessary to ensure citizens with disabilities are able to vote, using accessible ballots, voting equipment, and voting facilities.

For more info visit www.billespinglfsi.org/

EFO Financial Group, L.L.C.

Based in Naples, Florida, EFO Financial Group, L.L.C. is a leading real estate and advisory firm specializing in financing and acquiring real estate or corporations across the United States.  Serving as Co-Founder, Principal of the Manager, and half of the Investment Advisory Board, William P. (Bill) Esping helps steer EFO Financial Group, L.L.C. to success.  With a degree in business and more than twelve years advising high-value alternate investments, Mr. Esping oversees direction of EFO Holdings, L.P. and all of its subsidiaries.  He co-founded and oversees the finances of EFO Financial Group, L.L.C. with Mr. Robert Grammen, who has years of experience in flipping distressed municipal bond debt and investment banking.  Managing partners Mr. David Goduti and Mr. Renzo Renzi bring expertise in debtor-in-possession lending and asset management. 

EFO Financial Group targets investments with high risk-adjust return, ranging from $2 million to $50 million.  While providing large investments, EFO remains small, much to the advantage of itself and its clients: it is able to move faster than larger, more mainstream institutions and can therefore capitalize on market opportunities much more quickly.  EFO provides clients with two options: financing and acquisitions.

Financing: EFO provides corporate financing through direct private loans that enable companies to continue operating despite insufficient funds.  EFO lends to both real estate investments and companies, with loans lasting one to five years and based on real estate or fixed or liquid assets.  EFO thus provides aid during bankruptcies and foreclosures, construction and development, bank workouts, property acquisition, turnaround, restructuring, recapitalization, M&A, buyouts, workings capital, spin-offs, and special situations.  They provide “Debtor-in-Possession” lending for companies entering, in, or emerging from bankruptcy.  They also lend based on asset collaterals or a history of high cash flow, to stabilize and increase client profit. 

Acquisitions: As they acquire real estate with debt, EFO Financial Group, L.L.C. offers buyouts and joint ventures with majority ownership in order to aid client companies that need stabilization, repositioning, and/or redevelopment.  They accept as collateral real estate that is pre-owned or pre-foreclosed, multi-unit dwellings, healthcare, offices, industrial, retail, or special purpose. 

EFO Financial Group, L.L.C., has given many “Debtor-in-Possession” (DIP) loans to properties and companies such as these:

Mi Arbolito: A high-end residential tower in San Diego, CA with views of historic sites and the Pacific Ocean.  ($4.22 million DIP loan) 
Aqua: A super-luxury high rise in North Naples, including a yacht harbor, gourmet kitchens, water views, and luxury services to help residents relax. ($26 million DIP loan)
Twin Eagles: A 1,115-acre community in Naples, FL, with homes, a championship golf course, and 300 acres of open space.  ($6 million DIP loan)
EFO Financial Group has completed dozens of loans and acquisitions to stabilize corporations and real estate ventures and ensure their success.  EFO Financial Group operates under the entrepreneurial philosophy of the late Perry Eugene Esping, Bill Esping’s father, who believed that success was obtainable, particularly if certain corporations helped others help themselves.  Bill Esping extends this philosophy to his charitable works and his foundation, the Bill Esping Lawsuit and Fraud Support Initiative, which he started to fund legal aid for individuals who cannot afford it, particularly when facing issues such as bankruptcy or fraud.