Where can I locate a disability advocate or obtain free legal services?
• A: Each state has a federally mandated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities. While each state system may offer varied services, all of them offer four core programs including Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), serving individuals with mental illness who live in 24 hour care or treatment facilities, Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD), Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights, serving individuals with disabilities who are ineligible under the PAIMI and PADD programs, Client Assistance Program (CAP), serving clients of Vocational Rehabilitation, as well as Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PATT). Q: Where can I obtain information on disability rights and rights advocacy? • A: Disability Rights Activist brings together much information that can enable individuals to advocate for their rights. Their website discusses ways in which one can advocate more effectively offering