Organization
Disability Law Colorado(DLC)
Disability Law Colorado is Colorado's designated Protection and Advocacy System, a private nonprofit established in 1976 that defends the civil and legal rights of people with disabilities statewide. It provides free legal advocacy, information, and representation across education, healthcare, employment, housing, and institutional abuse.
About
Founded in 1976 and first designated as Colorado's federally mandated Protection and Advocacy System in 1977, Disability Law Colorado (formerly The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People) has championed disability civil rights for nearly five decades. It operates as an independent public-interest nonprofit grounded in the principle that people with disabilities are full and equal citizens.
What They Do
DLC provides free legal services including individual representation, systemic advocacy, community legal education, and investigative monitoring of facilities where people with disabilities live or receive care. Priority areas include special education, healthcare access, discrimination, employment, housing, and prevention of institutional abuse and neglect.
Who They Serve
DLC serves Coloradans of all ages and disability types — physical, cognitive, psychiatric, sensory, and chronic illness — regardless of income. Services are delivered statewide and free of charge.
Related Organizations
National Disability Rights Network(NDRN)
FeaturedWashington, DCNationalNDRN is the membership association for the federally mandated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) organisations in every US state and territory. P&A organisations provide free legal advocacy and representation to people with disabilities — with a combined budget of over $150 million, they are the largest provider of legal services to people with disabilities in the US.
Mixed LeadershipCross-DisabilityLegal AdvocacyDisability Rights Advocates(DRA)
Oakland, CANationalDRA is a national non-profit legal centre that enforces civil rights for people with all types of disabilities through impact litigation — targeting systemic barriers and setting precedents that benefit entire communities rather than individual clients.
Mixed LeadershipCross-DisabilityLegal AdvocacyAmerican Association of People with Disabilities(AAPD)
Washington, DCNationalAAPD is a national disability membership organisation focused on increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on civic engagement, voting rights, and economic advancement.
Disabled-LedCross-DisabilityAdvocacy