Bio
West Resendes is a Staff Attorney in the Disability Rights Program (DRP), where he uses disability rights litigation and community-centered advocacy tools to advance the ACLU’s affirmative vision for reducing the role, power, presence, and responsibilities of police in communities and schools. His work includes ongoing litigation to reform the statewide carceral and parole systems in Georgia for deaf and hard of hearing people, and education issues for students with disabilities. West began his work at the ACLU as a Skadden Fellow. West is the first culturally deaf person to work at the ACLU since its co-founder, Helen Keller, and sits on the ACLU’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council.
Prior to joining the ACLU, West earned his J.D. at Yale Law School where he was a member of the Veterans Legal Services Clinic (VLSC). While at VLSC, West worked on a nationwide class action lawsuit seeking relief for less-than-honorably discharged veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan era with psychiatric disabilities. Through Make the Road Connecticut, West advocated for language access for immigrant families in Bridgeport Public Schools. West has also worked on the Senate Judiciary Committee. West holds an A.B. from Harvard College and was a Henry Russell Shaw Fellow.
Featured work
May 20, 2024
We Fought for Deaf People on Probation and Parole in Georgia — and Won
![Person holding binder and is in handcuffs.](https://assets-dev.aclu.org/dev/uploads/2024/05/person-holding-binder-in-handcuffs-b-400x400.jpg)
Jan 10, 2024
Language Access is a Civil Right, For Both Children and Adults
![ACLU logo and Statue of Liberty torch in blue overlay](https://assets-dev.aclu.org/dev/uploads/2022/05/WEB22-SoL-1110x740-1-400x400.jpg)
Aug 31, 2023
Together, We’re Changing the Face of Crisis Response in D.C.
![A group posing on behalf of the DC Crisis Response Coalition.](https://assets-dev.aclu.org/dev/uploads/2023/08/dc-crisis-coalition-blog-400x400.jpg)
Nov 7, 2022
For People with Disabilities on Parole and Probation, Accessible Communication is Essential
![An American Sign Language interpreter interpreting at an anti-racism rally and march.](https://assets-dev.aclu.org/dev/uploads/2022/11/DISABILITIES_SUPERVISED_RELEASE-Blog-400x400.jpg)
Aug 31, 2021
Safe and Healthy Schools Lead With Support, Not Police
![A sign made out of confetti that reads "Police Free Schools" on a gate during a Black Lives Matter protest.](https://assets-dev.aclu.org/dev/uploads/2021/08/Regular-Police-in-school-400x400.jpg)
Mar 19, 2021
We Must Abolish Qualified Immunity to Prevent Further Police Harm — Especially for People in Mental Health Crises
![Sign of white dove reading "End Qualified Immunity", Qualified Immunity gives police officers immunity in the court of law given certain circumstances.](https://assets-dev.aclu.org/dev/uploads/2021/03/End-Qualified-Immunity-Header-Image-400x400.jpg)
Feb 25, 2021
President Biden: Stop Funding the Policing of Our Students
![Protesters demanding removing police officers from schools on steps of Department of Education know as Tweed Courthouse in New York on June 25, 2020.](https://assets-dev.aclu.org/dev/uploads/2021/02/WEB21-police-in-schools-Biden-letter-wordpress-1110x740-1-400x400.jpg)
Dec 10, 2020
The Biden Administration’s Disability Rights To-Do List
![A wheelchair user holding a sign with the text "Disability rights = civil rights."](https://assets-dev.aclu.org/dev/uploads/2020/12/WEB20-Disability-Rights-Civil-Rights-WordPress-1110x740-1-400x400.jpg)
Jul 9, 2020
Police in Schools Continue to Target Black, Brown, and Indigenous Students with Disabilities. The Trump Administration Has Data That’s Likely to Prove It.
![Protesters demanding removing police officers from schools on steps of Department of Education in Manhattan, New York.](https://assets-dev.aclu.org/dev/uploads/2020/07/Police-Schools-FOIA-Header-Image-400x400.jpg)