Organization
Disability Rights Advocates(DRA)
A leading national nonprofit disability civil rights legal centre headquartered in Berkeley, California, DRA uses high-impact litigation to break down barriers and expand opportunities for people with all types of disabilities across the United States.
About
Founded in 1993 in Berkeley, California, by attorneys Larry Paradis and Sid Wolinsky, Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) has grown into a nationally prominent disability civil rights law firm operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. DRA maintains offices in Berkeley, New York City, and Chicago, and pursues class-action and systemic litigation to advance the rights of disabled people at scale.
What They Do
DRA brings landmark civil rights lawsuits on behalf of people with disabilities in areas including physical and programmatic access, education, employment, healthcare, housing, and emergency preparedness. The organisation does not charge its clients, and its landmark cases have forced structural changes in schools, hospitals, transit systems, and government programmes across the country.
Who They Serve
DRA represents individuals and classes of people with all types of physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric, and other disabilities in cases with broad systemic impact. The organisation prioritises cases where a legal victory will open access and expand rights for the largest number of people.
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 AdvocacyFédération Sénégalaise des Associations de Personnes Handicapées(FSAPH)
Dakar, SNNationalNational umbrella federation founded in 1997 that unites Senegalese disability associations to advocate for the rights and social inclusion of persons with disabilities. FSAPH coordinates member organisations spanning physical, visual, hearing, intellectual, and other disability communities, engaging government on inclusive policy reform.
Disabled-LedCross-DisabilityAdvocacyAmerican 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