Disability Advocacy Organizations
If you are looking for organizations that help disabled people, you’re at the right place. This will give you a starting point.
Some day I’ll tell you the story about how the guy at the Office of Civil Rights put us on hold while he took his lunch break. Yep, he did. He called me to follow up on a complaint we filed. And it was such a lengthy call he needed a lunch break.
But I digress. Here is a list of 61 State and Federal Agencies and Organizations that help disabled people. Also, for parents: pay attention! Every state has a Parent Training Center. That is, a designated agency to train and educate parents on Special Education. Rather than retype the list, you can find it at Parent Center Hub.
History of the State P&A Agencies
In the early 1970s, Congress created a nationwide system of state-level, independent Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organizations. This was in response to the many TV documentaries that showed the horrors of how disabled people were being treated.
These organizations are a good place to start if you cannot find a Special Education Advocate or Attorney. Like many other non-profits, they are under-resourced and their help and efficacy varies. But it’s a good starting point if you need help.
Protection and Advocacy Disability Agencies
What do these groups do? By federal law, these groups:
- Are required to be independent; they may not be providers of disability services, public and private (including guardianship services)
- Are given broad powers to safeguard people’s rights, including the right to take legal action, to enter public and private facilities to talk with service recipients, and to make unannounced visits
- Are given access to records of a service recipient with the individual’s or guardian’s consent, as well as when the P&A has probable cause to believe the someone was subject to abuse or neglect (then consent is not required)
- Have the ability to access to abuse and neglect investigations conducted by state investigators and facility investigators
- Have the authority to investigate abuse and neglect at public and private institutions, facilities, and programs
- Involvement of the general public in development of their advocacy plans and priorities.
Each State has a Protection and Advocacy Agency.
- A legally-based advocacy group providing advocacy and legal services and investigating abuse and neglect.
- Will address a wide range of issues that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in their communities and leading productive and independent lives.
- Now for all disabilities-people with any type of mental and physical disability, including developmental disabilities and mental illnesses
will advocate for people of all ages, including children and seniors
helping people no matter where person with disability resides does not matter-includes those living with their parents, independently in the community, in group homes, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, and state-run institutions.
Federal Organizations that Help People with Disabilities.
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
1331 F Street, N.W., Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20004-1111
(800) USA-ABLE (872-2253)
If you are having an access issue, and I mean actual, physical access to a building as pertains to ADA, then this is one group to contact. They provide technical assistance on architectural, transportation, and communications accessibility issues and they issues specific ADA Accessibility Guidelines.
Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room S-1303
Washington, DC 20210
1-866-ODEL-DOL (633-7365)
The Office of Disability Employment Policy provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment policy as well as practice affecting the employment of people with disabilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
1801 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20507
(202) 663-4900; (800) 669-4000
(800) 669-6820 (TTY); (202) 663-4494
This is the agency that officially announces or declares regulations and enforces ADA Title I provisions prohibiting discrimination in employment. They also provide technical assistance to employers and persons with disabilities.
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20224
(800) 829-1040
(800) 829-4059 (TDD)
The IRS? What are they doing on this list? They provide information on tax credits and tax deductions available to businesses for costs of providing reasonable accommodations. They provide specifici tax information for people with disabilities. They also can give you information on the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit Program, which offers incentives for hiring individuals with disabilities referred by state vocational rehabilitation or Veterans Administration programs.
The National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
202-272-2004 (Voice)
202-272-2074 (TTY)
The NCD is a small, independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities. NCD is comprised of a team of fifteen Senate-confirmed Presidential appointees , an Executive Director appointed by the Chairman, and eleven, full-time professional staff. This is actually a group I’m going to start following and see what recommendations they make.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave, SW
Mailstop PCP-6058
Washington, D.C. 20202-2572
(202) 245-7640 (V/TTY)
Administers the principal federal disability research programs and ADA technical assistance centers. To reach the regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) closest to you, call (800) 949-4ADA (voice and TTY). The DBTACs act as “one-stop” central sources of information, direct technical assistance, training, and referral on ADA issues, and provide individualized responses to information requests, referrals to local sources of expertise, and training on ADA provisions and disability awareness.
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section–NYA
950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20530
(202) 514-0301; (800) 514-0301;
(800) 514-0383 (TTY)
This agency also formally announces regulations and enforces antidiscrimination provisions under Title II involving public services and under Title III involving public accommodations. Also enforces employment provisions under Title II of the ADA affecting state and local government entities. They provide technical assistance on compliance with ADA Titles II and III. You can also file an official complaint with OCR, if you feel your school has denied your child access to their education or has violated their civil rights as a protected class.
Department of Justice’s ADA Information Line and technical assistance
800-514-0301 (voice)
800-514-0383 (TTY)
Have questions about ADA? This is a good place to start.
DisabilityInfo.gov
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room S-1303
Washington, DC 20210
202-693-7921; 1-866-633-7365
1-877-889-5627 (TTY)
DisabilityInfo.gov is a comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities and many others with the information and resources they need to live full and independent lives in the workplace and in their communities. With 21 federal agencies contributing content to the site, DisabilityInfo.gov provides access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including benefits, civil rights, community life, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology and transportation. Easy to navigate, users are directed to valuable information covering state and local resources, news and events, grants and funding, laws and regulations and more.
Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
1 Choke Cherry Rd.
240-276-1310
240-276-1320 (fax)
Rockville, MD 20857
Coordinates independent agencies in each state to provide technical assistance, information, and referrals on the ADA and other disability laws.
State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program-Rehabilitation Services Administration
Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-2800
(202) 245-7488 (phone)
Assists employers in recruiting, training, placing, and accommodating people with disabilities. Offers information on state and local agencies providing rehabilitation services, training, and job-related assistance to people with disabilities.
Disability Protection and Advocacy-All 50 States
| Alabama Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) The University of Alabama 500 Martha Parham West P.O. Box 870395 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0395 (800) 826-1675 (205) 348-4928 (V/TTY) |
| Alaska Disability Law Center of Alaska 3330 Arctic Boulevard, Suite 103 Anchorage, AK 99503 (800) 478-1234 (907) 565-1002 (V/TTY) | |
| Arizona Arizona Center for Disability Law 100 N. Stone Avenue, Suite 305 (520) 327-9547 (V/TTY) Tucson, AZ 85701 | |
| Arkansas Disability Rights Center 1100 N. University, Suite 201 Little Rock, AR 72207 (800) 482-1174 (V/TTY) (501) 296-1775 (V/TTY) | |
| California Disability Rights California 100 Howe Avenue, Suite 185N Sacramento, CA 95825-8219 (800) 776-5746 (In CA) (916) 488-9950 (800) 719-5798 (TTY) | |
| Colorado The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People 455 Sherman Street, Suite 130 Denver, CO 80203 (303) 722-0300 (800) 288-1376 (in CO only) | |
| Connecticut Office of Protection & Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities 60 B Weston Street Hartford, CT 06120-1551 (800) 842-7303 (V/TTY in CT) (860) 297-4300 (860) 297-4380 (TTY) | |
| Delaware Disabilities Law Program Community Service Building 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 801 Wilmington, DE 19801 (800) 292-7980 (in DE) (302) 575-0660 (302) 575-0696 (TTY) | |
| District of Columbia-Washington, DC University Legal Services: Protection and Advocacy 220 I Street, N.E., Suite 130 Washington, DC 20002 (202) 547-0198 (202) 547-2657 (TTY) | |
| Florida Disability Rights-Florida Disability Rights Florida 2728 Centerview Drive Suite 102 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 800-342-0823 Toll Free 850-488-9071 850-488-8640 Fax | |
| Georgia The Georgia Advocacy Office 150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 430 Decatur, GA 30030 (800) 537-2329 (in GA only) (404) 885-1234 (V/TTY) | |
| Hawaii Hawaii Disability Rights Center 900 Fort Street Mall, Suite 1040 Honolulu, HI 96813 (800) 882-1057 (V/TTY) (in HI) (808) 949-2922 (V/TTY) | |
| Idaho DisAbility Rights Idaho Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Disabilities 4477 Emerald Street, Suite B-100 Boise, ID 83706-2066 (208) 336-5353 (V/TTY) (800) 632-5125 | |
| Illinois Equip for Equality, Inc. 20 N. Michigan, Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60602 (800) 537-2632 (V)(312) 341-0022 (V)(800) 610-2779 (TTY) | |
| Indiana Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services 4701 N. Keystone Avenue, Suite 222 Indianapolis, IN 46205 (800) 622-4845 (317) 722-5555 (800) 838-1131 (TTY) | |
| Iowa Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc. 950 Office Park Road, Suite 221 West Des Moines, IA 50265 (800) 779-2502 (515) 278-2502 (866) 483-3342 (TTY) (515) 278-0571 (TTY) | |
| Kansas Disability Rights Center of Kansas 635 SW Harrison Street, Suite 100 Topeka, KS 66603 (785) 273-9661 (877) 776-1541 (in KS only) | |
| Kentucky Protection and Advocacy 100 Fair Oaks Lane, Third Floor Frankfort, KY 40601 (800) 372-2988 (V/TTY in KY) (502) 564-2967 | |
| Louisiana The Advocacy Center 1010 Common Street, Suite 2600 New Orleans, LA 70112 (800) 960-7705 (in LA) (504) 522-2337 | |
| Maine Disability Rights Center 24 Stone Street P.O. Box 2007 Augusta, ME 04338-2007 (800) 452-1948 (V/TTY in ME) (207) 626-2774 (V/TTY) | |
| Maryland Maryland Disability Law Center 1800 N. Charles, Suite 400 Baltimore, MD 21201 (800) 233-7201 (410) 727-6352 | |
| Massachusetts Disability Law Center, Inc. 11 Beacon Street, Suite 925 Boston, MA 02108 (800) 872-9992 (V) (617) 723-8455 (800) 381-0577 (TTY) (617) 227-9464 (TTY) | |
| Michigan Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc. 4095 Legacy Parkway, Suite 500 Lansing, MI 48911-4263 (517) 487-1755 (V/TTY) (800) 288-5923 (V/TTY) | |
| Minnesota Minnesota Disability Law Center 430 First Avenue, North, Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55401-1780 (612) 746-3711 (800) 292-4150 (612) 334-5970 (New Clients) | |
| Mississippi Mississippi Protection and Advocacy System 5305 Executive Place Jackson, MS 39206 Jackson, MS 39206 (601) 981-8207 (800) 772-4057 | |
| Missouri Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services 925 S. Country Club Drive Jefferson City, MO 65109 (573) 659-0678 (800) 392-8667 | |
| Montana Disability Rights Montana 1022 Chestnut Street Helena, MT 59601 (800) 245-4743 (V/TTY) (406) 449-2344 | |
| Nebraska Nebraska Advocacy Services, Inc. 134 South 13th Street, Suite 600 Lincoln, NE 68508 (800) 422-6691 (402) 474-3183 | |
| Nevada Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center 6039 Eldora Avenue, Suite C – Box 3 Las Vegas, NV 89146 (888) 349-3843 (toll-free) (702) 257-8150 (702) 257-8160 (TTY) | |
| New Hampshire Disabilities Rights Center, Inc. 18 Low Avenue Concord, NH 03301 (603) 228-0432 (800) 834-1721 (V/TTY) | |
| New Jersey Disability Rights New Jersey 210 S. Broad Street, 3rd Floor Trenton, NJ 08608 (800) 922-7233 (in NJ) (609) 292-9742 (609) 633-7106 (TTY) | |
| New Mexico Protection and Advocacy System, Inc. 1720 Louisiana Boulevard, N.E., Suite 204 Albuquerque, NM 87110 (800) 432-4682 (In NM) (505) 256-3100 | |
| New York Division of Protection and Advocacy Program Administration New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities 401 State Street Schenectady, NY 12305-2397 (518) 388-2892 (800) 624-4143 (Voice/TTY/Spanish) | |
| North Carolina Disability Rights North Carolina 2626 Glenwood Avenue Ste. 550 Raleigh, NC 27608 (877) 235-4210 (919) 856-2195 | |
| North Dakota North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Project 400 E. Boulevard Avenue, Suite 409 Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 328-2950 (800) 472-2670 (in ND) | |
| Ohio Ohio Legal Rights Service 50 W. Broad Street, Suite 1400 Columbus, OH 43215-5923 (614) 466-7264 (614) 728-2553 (TTY) (800) 282-9181 (in OH) (800) 858-3542 (TTY in OH) | |
| Oklahoma Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc 2915 Classen Boulevard 300 Cameron Building Oklahoma City, OK 73106 (800) 880-7755 (V/TTY, in OK) (405) 525-7755 (V/TTY) | |
| Oregon Oregon Advocacy Center 620 S.W. 5th Avenue, Suite 500 Portland, OR 97204-1428 (503) 243-2081 (503) 323-9161 (TTY) (800) 452-1694 | |
| Pennsylvania Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania 1414 N. Cameron Street, Suite C Harrisburg, PA 17103 (800) 692-7443 (in PA) (717) 236-8110 (877) 375-7139 (TTY) | |
| Rhode Island Rhode Island Disability Law Center 275 Westminster Street, Suite 401 Providence, RI 02903 (800) 733-5332 (in RI) (401) 831-3150 (401) 831-5335 (TTY) | |
| South Carolina Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. 3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 208 Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 782-0639 (866) 275-7273 (In SC)(866) 232-4525 (TTY) | |
| South Dakota South Dakota Advocacy Services 221 S. Central Avenue Pierre, SD 57501 (800) 658-4782 (in SD) (605) 224-8294 | |
| Tennessee Disability Law & Advocacy Center of Tennessee 2416 21st Avenue South, Suite 100 Nashville, TN 37212 (901) 458-6013 (800) 342-1660 (Toll-free in TN only) (888) 852-2852 (TTY) | |
| Texas Advocacy, Inc. 7800 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Suite 171-E Austin, TX 78757 (512) 454-4816 (800) 252-9108 (In TX) | |
| Utah Disability Law Center 205 North 400 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84103 (801) 363-1347 (800) 662-9080 | |
| Vermont Vermont Protection and Advocacy, Inc. 141 Main Street, Suite 7 Montpelier, VT 05602 (800) 834-7890 (In VT) (802) 229-1355 (802) 229-2603 (TTY) | |
| Virginia Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy 1910 Byrd Avenue, Suite 5 Richmond, VA 23230 (800) 552-3962 (In VA) (804) 225-2042 (V/TTY) | |
| Washington Disability Rights Washington 315 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 850 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 324-1521 (206) 957-0728 (TTY) (800) 562-2702 (800) 905-0209 (TTY) | |
| West Virginia West Virginia Advocates 1207 Quarrier Street, 4th Floor Charleston, WV 25301 (800) 950-5250 (in WV) (304) 346-0847 (V/TTY) | |
| Wisconsin Disability Rights Wisconsin 131 W. Wilson Street, Suite 700 Madison, WI 53703 (800) 928-8778 (in WI only) (608) 267-0214 (888) 758-6049 tty | |
| Wyoming WY Protection & Advocacy System 7344 Stockman Street Cheyenne, WY 82009 (307) 632-3496 (800) 624-7648 (in WY) |
