The Protection and Advocacy network under the National Disability Rights Network is the nation’s biggest provider of legally based advocacy services for people with disabilities. The eight programs that fall under P&A’s direction serve to inform you of disability rights under the law and assist and advocate on your behalf to make sure those laws are upheld.
The programs are federally funded, but run by states and territories to better serve people at a local level. A trained professional will be assigned to help you get the services you need. A wide variety of situations are covered. For example, Protection and Advocacy services could help you if:
• You are abused or neglected by caregivers.
• Your private information was released to others without your consent.
• You were denied assistive technology services or devices to be more independent.
• You have transportation problems with disability employment.
• You have problems getting services from vocational rehabilitation.
• You are in jail and need medication.
• Your child’s school is not following the requirements of their IEP (Individual Education Program).
• Your child is getting suspended or expelled because of behavior related to their disability.
• You have trouble getting health care services.
• You are not allowed in store or restaurant because of your service animal.
• You live in a residential facility and have been verbally or emotionally abused.
Eight Disability Advocacy Agencies
1. PADD (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities). The original P&A program, PADD is charged with pursuing legal, administrative and other applicable remedies to protect and advocate for people with developmental disabilities, defined as chronic mental and /or physical impairments that are evident before the age of 22. These disabilities are usually permanent and substantially impair activities in three or more areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living and economic self-sufficiency.
2. CAP (Client Assistance Program). Eligible individuals are seeking or receiving services from a Rehabilitation Act project, program or community rehabilitation program.
3. PAIMI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness). To qualify, eligible individuals must demonstrate significant mental or emotional impairment and live in a residential facility, including hospitals, nursing homes, board and care homes, homeless shelters, jails and prisons.
4. PAIR (Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights). Those eligible for PAIR are people with disabilities who are not eligible for PADD or PAIMI, and whose problems don’t fall under CAP.
5. PAAT (Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology). People with disabilities get assistance in buying, using and maintaining assistive technology devices and/or services through case management, legal representation and self advocacy training.
6. PABSS (Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security). Beneficiaries of Social Security can get assistance obtaining or regaining paid employment.
7. PATBI (Protection and Advocacy for individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury). This program provides protection and advocacy services specifically aimed at people with traumatic brain injury.
8. PAVA (Protection and Advocacy for Voting Accessibility). The one program where funds cannot be used for litigation, PAVA participates in voter education, poll official training, registration drives and polling place accessibility surveys.
See Additional Disability Employment Resources
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