Advocacy and Legal Services for People with Disabilities.

Advocacy and Legal Services

State Listings:
AL / AK / AZ / AR / CA / CO / CT / FL / GA / HI / ID / IL / IN / KY / LA / ME / MD / MA / MI / MN / MS /MO / MT / NE / NV / NH / NJ / NM / NY / NC / ND / OH / OK / OR / PA / SC / SD / TN / TX / UT / VA / WA / WV / WI / WY (Official USPS State Abbreviations)

Country Listings:
Ireland

International

The Action Starts Here (TASH) is an international membership association of people with disabilities, their family members, and other disability advocates, based in Maryland. Members of TASH are strong advocates of people who have traditionally been denied access to education, work, and community living. The TASH website provides the assistance people need to effectively advocate for their rights, including linkage with resources, expert assistance toward fighting inequities, legal expertise, and targeted advocacy. For more information or to learn more about becoming a member, call the Maryland Chapter at (410) 828-8274.

National

ADA Watch is an online information network designed to educate and inform people with disabilities, disability advocates, members of the general public, the business community, policy makers, and the media regarding threats to the civil rights of people with disabilities. They encourage a grassroots movement among people who may be affected by these threats and support them in advocating for their rights on a national basis. Their website offers news, action alerts, a listing of events and more. For more information, call (202) 329-5877 or e-mail jim@adawatch.org.

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) "is a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration, and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society. CCD does this by:

Identifying and researching public policy issues, developing testimony and policy recommendations and encouraging innovative solutions to public policy concerns.
Educating members of Congress in an effort to improve public policies and programs that foster independence, productivity, integration and inclusion of people with disabilities.
Encouraging people with disabilities and their families to advocate for themselves and coordinating grass roots efforts to support these advocacy efforts."

Visit this website often to stay informed on national legislative issues and events affecting the disability community.

Disability Rights Advocates is a non-profit legal center dedicated to protecting the civil and human rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States and the world. They offer a national advocacy service which includes class -action litigation and negotiation on behalf of people with all types of disabilities, including mobility, hearing, vision, learning and psychological disabilities. They also offer a number of useful publications that provide individuals with disabilities much information on legislation. For more information, call (510) 451-8644 (Voice) or 510-451-8716 (TTY).

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities: Let's Talk About Rights: A Guide for Self-Advocates is an online resource offering valuable information to those interested in taking part in the legislative process. More specifically, the site discusses voter registration and election and candidate information. The site also offers links to various related disability resources.

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund is a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance, and education and training of attorneys, advocates, persons with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities. Their website offers a discussion of disability policy and legislation, links to helpful articles and newsletters, a listing of relevant publications as well as links to various disability-related organizations. For more information on their advocacy services, call (510) 644-2555 (Voice/TTY) or e-mail dredf@dredf.org.

MoveOn is working to bring ordinary people back into politics. MoveOn builds electronic advocacy groups. Examples of advocacy group issues are campaign finance, environmental and energy issues, media consolidation, or the Iraq war. Once a group is assembled, MoveOn provides information and tools to help each individual have the greatest possible impact. Their website also features the latest political news. Visit their website today to learn how you can become involved.

National Disability Rights Network offers a complete listing of protection and advocacy agencies located throughout the United States on their website. The site also provides links to many helpful disability resources and offers much information on disability rights relating to abuse and neglect, employment, education, technology, SSI and SSDI benefits, community integration, and health care. The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the P&A/CAP network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States. Through training and technical assistance, legal support, and legislative advocacy, the National Disability Rights Network works to create a society in which people with disabilities are afforded equality of opportunity and are able to fully participate by exercising choice and self-determination. We have listed many of these nonprofit organizations below by state. For more information, visit the NDRN website or fill in your state at P & A by state or download the P & A by state printable version.

National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) works for youth (aged 16 - 24) with disabilities by:

Promoting leadership development, education, employment, independent living, and health and wellness among young leaders representing the diversity of race, ethnicity and disability in the United States.
Fostering the inclusion of young leaders with disabilities into all aspects of society at national, state and local levels.
Communicating about issues important to youth with disabilities and the policies and practices that affect their lives.

NYLN offers youth with disabilities an opportunity to take charge of their lives through self-determination and leadership. They host an annual conference in Washington DC which helps prepare the next generation of disability leaders and also provides an opportunity to for young people to develop recommendations on policy and service improvements. For more information, e-mail contact@nyln.org.

State Listings

Alabama

Disability Rights and Resources Alabama (ADAC) is a non-partisan coalition of organizations and individuals with disabilities empower people with disabilities to fully participate in the community. We encourage people with disabilities to support one another in reaching their own independent living goals. We also promote equal access and disability rights through advocacy and public awareness activities. If you would like to join the coalition, write to 1418 n6th Ave., N Birmingham, AL 35203 or e-mail nicole.watkins@drradvocates.org.

Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) is the federally mandated, statewide, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) program serving eligible individuals with disabilities throughout Alabama. The primary purpose of ADAP is to respond to allegations of abuse, neglect and violations of rights of persons with disabilities or discrimination based on their disability. They offer several programs serving people with mental illness, physical disabilities, as well as those with developmental disabilities. They further offer a program that advocates for rights relating to assistive technology. They also offer "Airmail"; a publication designed to educate individuals of their rights. For more information, e-mail ADAP@law.ua.edu.

Alaska

Disability Law Center of Alaska is the state's federally mandated protection and advocacy system. The center works to increase the understanding of disability rights and responsibilities of consumers, legal professionals, service providers, families and advocates throughout Alaska. They provide legal advocacy and direct representation of all people with disabilities residing within Alaska. The agency is authorized to investigate violations of rights based on disability. They also provide educational services, information about the rights of people with disabilities and other technical assistance and can refer you to other agencies who may be able to provide appropriate assistance. For more information, call (800) 478-1234, e-mail akpa@dlcak.org or write to, Disability Law Center of Alaska, 3330 Arctic Boulevard, Suite 103, Anchorage, AK 99503.

Arizona

Arizona Ombudsman - Citizens Aide provides mediation services, "a practical alternative to litigation," when citizens find themselves in dispute with state agencies, boards and commissions. The Ombudsman can investigate grievances, make recommendations for resolution and report findings to government authorities and the public. If a dispute cannot be resolved, they also provide referral to low-cost legal services. For more information, call (800) 872-2879 or e-mail ombuds3@goodnet.com.

Arkansas

Disability Rights Center, Inc., located in Little Rock, Arkansas offers Arkansans with disabilities individual advocacy, system advocacy, legal representation, legislative information, legal rights training, and multi-cultural outreach. All services are provided free of charge. Their website also serves as an excellent source of information offering legislative updates, links to other helpful Arkansas disability resources, a listing of helpful publications and links to relevant articles. For more information, call (800) 482-1174 (Voice/TTY) or e-mail info@disabilityrightsar.org.

California

Disability Rights Legal Center works to promote the rights of Southern California residents with disabilities and the public interest in and awareness of those rights by providing legal and related services. Via their Civil Rights Litigation Project they provide free legal representation to people with disabilities who are encountering discrimination in violation of their civil rights. Their Disability Mediation Center provides expert mediation services in disputes involving disability issues or parties with disabilities. For more information, call (213) 736-1031 (Voice), (213) 736-8310 (TTY) or e-mail info@theDRLC.org .

Protection and Advocacy, Inc. is a non-profit agency in California that works in partnership with people with disabilities to protect, advance and advocate for their human, legal and service rights. They provide personal advocacy services to individuals through both negotiation and litigation, they investigate complaints, educate individuals on their rights and self-advocacy, and offers referrals to other organizations. For more information, call (800) 390-7032 (Voice) or (916) 575-1624 (TTY).

Colorado

The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People, with offices in Denver and Grand Junction, Colorado, provides protection and advocacy services to people with disabilities throughout Colorado. The center offers self-advocacy training, investigates reports of abuse and neglect, and mediates differences between people with disabilities and rehabilitation programs. They further offer services in advocating for rights to employment, housing, education, and assistive technology. For more information, call the Denver office at (800) 288-1376 (Voice/TDD), the Grand Junction office at (800) 531-2105 (Voice/TDD), or e-mail tlcmail@thelegalcenter.org.

Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities is an independent state agency created to protect and advocate for the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut. The office provides information and referral, advocacy services, legal and mediation services, investigates claims of discrimination and abuse, as well as education and training on disability issues. For more information, call (800) 842-7303 (Voice/TTY),

Florida

Access Now, Inc. is a non-profit ADA advocacy organization in South Florida. They advocate on behalf of individuals that have found barriers in violation of the ADA in public facilities, such as restaurants, shopping malls and department stores, movie theatres, etc. To learn how Access Now can assist you, call (305) 534-9509 or e-mail info@adaaccessnow.org.

Disability Rights Florida was founded in 1977 as the statewide designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. Disability Rights Florida is a not-for-profit corporation that has authority and responsibility under eight federal grants. For more information contact Disability Rights Florida, 2728 Centerview Drive, Suite 102, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, or call 1-800-342-0823

Georgia

Georgia Advocacy Office, Inc. (GAO) is a private, non-profit corporation whose mission is to work with and for oppressed and vulnerable individuals with disabilities throughout Georgia in securing and protecting their rights. They offer several programs serving people with mental illness, physical disabilities, as well as those with developmental disabilities. They further offer a program that advocates for rights relating to assistive technology. For more information, call (800) 537-2329 (Voice/TDD) or e-mail info@thegao.org.

Hawaii

Hawaii Disability Rights Center, located in Honolulu, Hawaii, protects and advocates for the rights of people with disabilities relating to abuse and neglect, accessibility, care and treatment, citizenship, criminal justice, employment, education, housing and much more. They utilize mediation, negotiation, administrative hearings, and the power of the law to address violations of rights of people with disabilities. For more information, call (808) 949-2922.

Idaho

Disability Rights Idaho is a statewide non-profit agency designated by the Governor to provide advocacy and legal services for people with disabilities in Idaho. Common issues addressed by this agency include discrimination, educational rights, abuse and neglect, denials of Medicaid and Social Security, and work-related barriers to assistive technology, among others. For more information, call (866) 262-3462.

Illinois

Council for Disability Rights, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, promotes disability public policy and legislation through education, information, referrals, counseling, job training, and many other services offered to the disabled community. Their website features legislative alerts, national and Illinois news, frequently asked questions and guides on how an individual can advocate for their rights. For more information on the services offered, call (312) 444-9484 (Voice) or (312) 444-1967 (TDD).

Equip for Equality is a non-profit organization that operates the disability Protection and Advocacy System for Illinois. They provide self-advocacy assistance, legal services, disability issues education, public policy advocacy and systems monitoring. Specifically, they offer the Training Institute on Disability Rights, which proactively reaches out to people with disabilities and their families to provide them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for self-advocacy. For more information, call (800) 537-2632 (Voice) or (800) 610-2779 (TTY).

Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission is an executive state agency created to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. They provide legal representation, investigate complaints of rights violations and provide state guardianship for Illinois' population with disabilities. For more information, call (866) 274-8023.

Indiana

Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS) works to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities through empowerment and advocacy services. Some of IPAS's services include information on disability rights and benefits, service referral, counseling, self-advocacy training, negotiation and mediation, and legal representation. Eligible individuals can receive services if the issue is the result of abuse, neglect, denial of a right, or discrimination due to disability. For more information, call (800) 622-4845 (Voice), (800) 838-1131 (TTY).

Iowa

Disability Rights Iowa: Law Center for Protection and Advocacy will protect and advocate for the human and legal rights that ensure individuals with disabilities and/or mental illness a free, appropriate public education, employment opportunities and residence or treatment in the least restrictive environment and for freedom from stigma. Direct services include, information on the rights of persons with disabilities and referrals to other helpful agencies or organizations, self-advocacy training, system advocacy, and the investigation of complaints of those residing in mental health institutions. For more information, call (800) 779-2502.

Kentucky

Kentucky Protection and Advocacy protects and promotes the rights of Kentuckians with disabilities through legally based individual and systemic advocacy, and education. They investigate reported or suspected abuse or neglect of people with disabilities, provide technical assistance about legislative and policy concerns, and, depending on your legal problem, may provide individual case advocacy and legal services. For more information, call (800) 372-2988.

Louisiana

Advocacy Center, a private, non-profit corporation, is Louisiana's federally mandated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities. The center offers legal representation, non-legal advocacy services, information and referral, rights education and training, and self-advocacy training. For more information, call (800) 960-7705 or e-mail advocacycenter@advocacyla.org.

Maine

Disability Rights Center is Maine's non-profit protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities. The center provides individual advocacy, disability rights training, self-advocacy training, information and referral, legal representation to groups and individuals, and more. They offer several programs specific to varying disabilities including developmental disabilities, mental illness and learning disabilities. For more information, call (800) 452-1948 (Voice/TTY) or e-mail Advocate@drcme.org.

Maryland

Disability Rights Maryland is the Protection and Advocacy organization for Maryland. It is a non-profit organization staffed by attorneys and paralegals. MDLC�s mission is to ensure that people with disabilities are accorded the full rights and entitlements afforded to them by state and federal law. Direct Services include, information and referral on legal issues, technical assistance to other attorneys who help persons with disabilities, investigations of complaints that persons with disabilities are abused, neglected, or mistreated, case advocacy for persons with disabilities to obtain certain services, legal Representation as well as public education and training. 1500 Union Ave, Ste. 2000 Baltimore, MD 21211, 410-727-6352 (Ext. 0)

Massachusetts

Disability Law Center is a private, non-profit public interest law firm providing free legal assistance and information to people with disabilities throughout Massachusetts. Programs include Developmental Disabilities, Youth Advocacy Project, Lead To Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities Project (LOYD), Discrimination and Accessibility, Special Education, Assistive Technology and Disability Benefits. For more information, call (800) 872-9992 (Voice) or (800) 381-0577 (TTY).

Massachusetts Additional Resources, a program of the Massachusetts Office on Disability assists people in securing services from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and the Independent Living Centers in Massachusetts. If services were denied from any of the above agencies, call (800) 322-2020. These are services outside the MOD services.

Michigan

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) is a statewide network of individuals and organizations that advances the issues of Michigan's disability community through grassroots activism, public education and advocacy. Their website offers excellent resources to help individuals build their self-advocacy skills, providing step by step instruction on how individuals can affect change in their communities. The site also lists action days in which individuals can be involved. They also offer the Assistive Technology Project and a Health Care and Personal Support Neighborhood. For more information on how to become involved, call (800) 760-4600.

Disability Rights Michigan promotes, expands and protects the human and legal rights of people with disabilities by empowering them with information and advocacy. Services include information and referral, technical assistance, legal representation, outreach and training events and more. Their website also features links to many helpful resources on such topics and support, abuse and neglect, disability benefits and more. For more information, call (517) 487-1755 (Voice / TTY).

Minnesota

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid: Minnesota Disability Law Center provides free civil legal assistance to individuals with disabilities on legal issues related to their disabilities. They address issues relating to abuse and neglect, rights violations, denial of community services, special education, public accommodations and more. They also provide community education workshops on legal issues related to disability. For more information, call (800) 292-4150 or e-mail mndlc@midmnlegal.org.

Mississippi

Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities is a non-profit organization offering advocacy services to people with disabilities. Their website provides legislative updates and action alerts as well as information on upcoming advocacy events. For more information, visit them online or call them at (800) 721-7255 (Voice/TTY).

Missouri

Missouri Protection & Advocacy Services (MO P&A) is a federally mandated system in the state of Missouri which provides protection of the rights of people with disabilities through legally based advocacy. They offer services to people with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities as well as to those with mental illness. Such services include investigation of complaints, mediation and or negotiation of solutions to problems, information and referral, legal representation, as well as rights education and training. For more information, call (800) 392-8667.

Montana

Disability Rights Montana is a non-profit corporation that advocates for the rights of Montanans with disabilities. The program offers services to people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and physical disabilities, clients of rehabilitation programs, and those denied funding for assistive technology. For more information, call (800) 245-4743 (Voice/TDD) or e-mail advocate@disabilityrightsmt.org.

Nebraska

Nebraska Advocacy Services (NAS), Inc., is a private, non-profit agency that works with people who have disabilities to secure their rights. NAS investigates incidents of abuse and neglect and may provide legal representation to protect the legal and human rights of people with disabilities. Through a variety of other activities including public education, information and referral, and public policy analysis, NAS also works to change public attitudes and increase public awareness of the legal and human rights of people with disabilities. For more information, call (800) 422-6691.

Nevada

Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center, Inc. is Nevada's federally mandated protection and advocacy system for the human, legal, and service rights for individuals with disabilities. They offer a number of programs including Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness, Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights, and Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology. For more information, call either the Las Vegas office at (800) 349-3843 or the Sparks office at (800) 992-5715.

New Hampshire

Disability Rights Center is New Hampshire's federally mandated Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities. They offer a number of programs including Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness, Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights, and Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology. For more information, call (800) 834-1721 (Voice) or (603) 228-0432 (Voice/TDD).

People First of New Hampshire "is a group of people working together to help each other take charge of [their] lives. This is being done by learning how to make decisions and choices in life in order to be more independent. It also means learning rights and responsibilities. [They] support each other and gain confidence to speak out about what [they] believe in." They can teach you how to advocate for your basic human rights. To join in their effort, call (800) 639-6172.

New Jersey

New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc. is New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities, providing information and referral, technical assistance and training, legal and non-legal advocacy, as well as outreach and education. For more information or to learn of eligibility requirements, call (800) 922-7233.

New Mexico

Disability Rights New Mexico is a private, non-profit organization promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities throughout New Mexico. They offer information and referral, individual and group advocacy and rights training to people with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, as well as to those with mental illness. For more information, call (800) 432-4682 or e-mail info@drnm.org.

New York

Starbridge empowers individuals with disabilities and their families to advocate for themselves and realize their personal goals. Together they build strong, inclusive communities by increasing the ability of community members to support and value all individuals; "creating a world that works for everyone." They offer information, advocacy, programs and resources including parent workshops. For more information, visit this organizatio at 590 South Avenue Rochester, NY 14620, Telephone (585) 546-1700, Toll free in NYS 1-800-650-4967, or Fax (585) 546-7069.

Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. is a non-profit agency located in Buffalo, New York, which provides free legal services to low-income residents and residents with disabilities of Western New York. Their website offers much information on disability rights laws, available public benefits, available disability resources and much more. For more information, call (716) 847-0650 (Voice) or (716) 847-1322 (TTY).

New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs is a government program offering information on wide range of advocacy and daily living issues. More specifically, they offer information on consumer rights and responsibilities, education and training, technology services and devices, transportation and parking, ADA and 504, jobs and independence, benefits and assistance, housing and accessibility and much more. For more information, call (518) 549-0200. To report the abuse or neglect of an individual with special needs, call the Vulnerable Persons Central Register toll-free at 1-855-373-2122.

North Carolina

Disability Rights North Carolina is an independent, private not for profit organization working to ensure the rights of all state citizens with disabilities through individual advocacy and system change. For more information, call (877) 235-4210 or e-mail info@disabilityrightsnc.org.

North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities has created a Participant Involvement Project. The project grants funds to people with developmental disabilities, their family members or guardians so that they may have an opportunity to participate in conferences, training events, public forums, focus groups, committees, task forces, hearings and other activities that can empower them to affect change in their lives. For more information, call (800) 357-6916.

North Dakota

North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Project is a state agency whose purpose is to advocate for, and protect the legal rights of people with disabilities. They offer services to people with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities as well as to those with mental illness. Such services include information and referral, self-advocacy training, rights education and training, non-legal advocacy services, legal representation, as well as protective services. For more information, call (800) 472-2670 or e-mail panda@state.nd.us.

Ohio

Disability Rights Ohio, "is the federally and state designated Protection and Advocacy system and Client Assistance Program for children and adults with disabilities in the State of Ohio. The mission of the Ohio Disability Rights Law and Policy Center, Inc. is to protect and guarantee the human, civil, and legal rights of Ohioans with disabilities." The goal of this agency is to enable people with disabilities to realize self-determination, equality of opportunity, and full participation. They serve people with developmental and physical disabilities, as well as those with mental illness. "DRO provides information about advocating for the rights of children and adults with disabilities through the agency's publications and advocacy resources. DRO also offers advocacy services that are free and confidential. Services range from information and referral, to mediation and negotiation, to legal advocacy. If you are having problems that are related to you or your family member's disability, OLRS may be able to help." Disability topic areas include advance directives, assistive technology, children with disabilities, emergency planning, employment/vocational rehab, housing, Medicaid, mental health, public benefits programs, special education, and voting. Disability Rights Ohio can be reached by mail at 50 West Broad Street, Suite 1400, Columbus, Ohio 43215-5923, or by Phone: 614-466-7264 or 1-800-282-9181 [toll-free in Ohio only], TTY: 614-728-2553 or 1-800-858-3542.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc., a protection and advocacy system, protects, promotes, and expands the rights of people with disabilities throughout Oklahoma. They offer legal representation, non-legal advocacy services, information and referral, as well as rights education to people with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, as well as to those with mental illness. For more information, call the Oklahoma City office at (800) 880-7755 (Voice/TDD) or the Tulsa office at (918) 743-6220 (Voice/TDD).

Oregon

Disability Rights Oregon, designated under federal law as the protection and advocacy system for Oregon, is an independent non-profit organization which provides legal advocacy services for people with disabilities. Services are free of charge to eligible individuals and include information and referral, rights and self-advocacy training and legal assistance. For more information, call (800) 452-1694 (Voice) or (800) 556-5351 (TTY).

Pennsylvania

Center for Disability Law and Policy is an organization that provides advocacy and administers the Client Assistance Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Contact by voice/TDD (215) 557-7112, fax (215) 557-7602, toll free (888) 745-CDLP or e-mail: info@equalemployment.org. Visit their offices: Philadelphia Office, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA. 19103, and Harrisburg Office, 1414 North Cameron, 2nd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17103.

South Carolina

Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. protects the legal, civil and human rights of people with disabilities in South Carolina. They offer several programs serving people with mental illness, physical disabilities, as well as those with developmental disabilities. Specifically, they offer, information and referral services, advice and counseling, legal representation, self-advocacy training and negotiation services. For more information, call (803) 782-0639 or e-mail info@pandasc.org.

South Dakota

Disability Rights South Dakota is an independent, private, non-profit, tax exempt corporation designated by the Governor to assist in providing protection and advocacy services to eligible South Dakotans with disabilities. They provide legal-based services to South Dakotans with disabilities and ensure that they are free from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination. Additionally, we educate individuals with disabilities on self-advocacy and self-determination and provide information and training on the rights and inclusiveness of individuals with disabilities. For more information, call (800) 658-4782 (Voice/TTY) or e-mail drsd@drsdlaw.org.

Tennessee

Disability Rights Tennessee advocates for the rights of Tennesseans living with disabilities and/or mental illness to ensure they have an equal opportunity to be productive and respected members of our society. Direct services include Information and materials referrals to programs and services, training and technical assistance, investigations of abuse and neglect, negotiation and mediation remedies,information to develop self advocacy skills, individual or systems advocacy and individual or class action litigation. For more information, call (800) 342-1660.

Texas

Advocacy, Inc. is a non-profit government-funded corporation offering protection and advocacy services to people with disabilities in Texas. Specifically, they provide personal advocacy services in the areas of education, Medicaid and health issues, housing discrimination, community services, transportation, and accessible public accommodations. They also offer limited advocacy in such areas as violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act Amendments, denial of Medicaid services, and denial of access to mandated community services, including community mental health services. They serve people with developmental, physical and mental disabilities. For more information or to locate an office near you, call (800) 252-9108 (Voice/TDD) or e-mail infoai@advocacyinc.org.

Coalition of Texans with Disabilities is a grassroots, cross-disability consumer advocacy coalition controlled by persons with disabilities in Texas that works to eliminate barriers to equal and full participation in life. Programs include Cross-Disability Advocacy, Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program, the Kenny Murgia Memorial Scholarship program for high school seniors with a disability, Keys to Home, an advocacy effort to help people with disabilities remain in their communities and several others. For more information, call (512) 478-3366 or e-mail info@txdisabilities.org.

Utah

Disability Law Center is a private non-profit organization designated by the governor to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Utah. Services include information and referral, information on disability laws and individual rights, investigation and monitoring of abuse and neglect in residential facilities, mediation and negotiation, representation in administrative hearings and court proceedings, as well as self-advocacy support and training. For more information, call (800) 662-9080 (Voice/TTY) or e-mail info@disabilitylawcenter.org.

Virginia

Disability Law Center Virginia protects and advances the legal, human and civil rights of persons with disabilities by offering legal representation and advocacy services. Programs serve people with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities as well as those with mental illness. They also offer a client assistance program for those interested in receiving services from the state's rehabilitation programs, the assistive technology program, as well as a program that advocates for beneficiaries of Social Security. Services include information and referral, legal representation, technical assistance, short-term assistance, systemic advocacy, monitoring and training. Our services are provided free of charge. We are independent from state and local government. For more information, Phone: 800-552-3962 (toll-free) or 804-225-2042 Fax: 804-662-7431 (fax) or e-mail info@dLCV.org.

Washington

Washington Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations scroll down this site to government agencies and disability rights organizations in Washington to help you with disability advocacy and much more.

https://disabilityrightswa.org/ is a private, non-profit organization designated to provide independent protection and advocacy services to eligible people with disabilities. Services include information and referral, self-advocacy training and publications, legal representation, system impact litigation and abuse or neglect intervention. For more information, Voice: (800) 562-2702 or (206) 324-1521; Language interpreters are available upon request. Please use 711 for Washington Relay Service (TTY). Collect calls from correctional facilities are accepted.

West Virginia

West Virginia Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations, the federally mandated program, protects and advocates for the human and legal rights of persons with disabilities.

Wisconsin

Community Advocates, Inc. is committed to ensuring that low-income families and individuals in Milwaukee are able to meet their basic needs. They are one of the few remaining community-based organizations welcoming walk-in clients five days a week. Located at 728 N. James Lovell St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, Phone (414) 449-4777, Fax (414) 270-2971, Community Advocates Public Policy Institute: Phone: (414) 270-2950, Rent Help: renthelp@communityadvocates.net. Citizen Advocates of Washington County Inc., located in West Bend, Wisconsin, has a mission to "provide opportunities for supportive relationships between community members and citizens with disabilities." Advocates assist individuals in securing their right to a safe, affordable place to live and in receiving entitled benefits. They also assist families of children with disabilities by offering family supports that make it possible for the child to remain home. To learn more about these advocacy services, call (262) 334-3384.

Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations Wisconsin, is a cross-disability coalition of more than 20 state and local organizations and groups. For more than 20 years, Survival has been focused on changing and improving policies and practices that support people with disabilities of all ages to be full participants in community life. They provide current information on state and national disability policies and issues that can be used to advocate for better disability policies, programs and funding. This information is disseminated through their e-mail network.

Disability Rights Wisconsin (WCA) is a private, non-profit agency providing Wisconsin residents with disabilities protection and advocacy services. WCA provides free individualized advocacy services to individuals with developmental, physical and mental disabilities. Designated by the Governor to ensure the rights of all state citizens with disabilities through individual advocacy and system change, DRW is part of a national system of federally mandated independent disability agencies. For more information, call the Madison, Wisconsin office at (800) 928-8778 (Voice/TTY) or the 6737 W. Washington St., Suite 3230, Milwaukee, Wisconsin office at (800) 708-3034 (Voice/TTY) or 414-773-4646.

League of Women Voters of WI Education Fund is a nonpartisan, grassroots, political organization established in 1920 to educate and motivate citizens to participate in their government. Our members are women and men who work to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through education and advocacy. The League at all levels - national, regional, state and local - conducts in-depth policy studies to clarify the impacts of legislation. The League neither supports nor opposes candidates for office at any level of government. At the same time, the League is wholeheartedly political and works to influence policy through advocacy. The organization remains true to its basic purpose: to make democracy work for all citizens. With a strict nonpartisanship policy, the League of Women Voters is a trusted source of unbiased information and a force for positive social change. For more information contact, Andrea Kaminski, Executive Director, 612 W. Main Street, Suite 200, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, Phone: (608) 256-0827 or send E-mail: lwvwisconsin@lwvwi.org

Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc., with offices in Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha and Racine, provides legal services to low-income families, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Legal Action's staff and volunteer attorneys provide advice and legal representation in public benefits / health law, family law, housing, education and employment. Income determines eligibility for services. For more information, call the Milwaukee office at (414) 278-7722, the Madison office at (608) 256-3304, the Kenosha office at (262) 654-0114 or the Racine office at (262) 635-8836.

Wyoming

Protection and Advocacy System, Inc. is the official non-profit corporation authorized to protect and advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities throughout Wyoming. They offer legal and advocacy services to people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and physical disabilities, clients of rehabilitation programs, and those denied funding for assistive technology. For more information, call (307) 632-3496 or e-mail wypanda@wypanda.com.

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Ireland

National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities in the European country of Ireland is supported and funded by the Citizens Information Board. The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities provides an independent, confidential and free, representative advocacy service that works exclusively for the person using the service and adheres to the highest professional standards. NAS works to ensure that when life decisions are made, due consideration is given to the will and preference of people with disabilities and that their rights are safeguarded. NAS has a particular remit for people with disabilities who are isolated from their community and services, have communication differences, are inappropriately accommodated, live in residential services, attend day services and have limited informal or natural supports. For more information, contact them at their headquarters at George's Quay House, 43 Townsend St, Dublin 2, Ireland Telephone: 0761 07 9000, Fax: (01) 605 9099, or send email to info@ciboard.ie