8/8/2019 Protection & Advocacy System for People With Disabilities - Disaboom

1/2

National Disability Rights: P&A System

by Debbie Marsh, Disaboom

Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies protect disability rights for people

with disabilities of any income, in every U.S. state and territory. Created in

1975 in response to an investigation which revealed shocking conditions in

Willowbrook, a New York state institution for people with developmental

disabilities, P&As continue to primarily monitor conditions in both public and

private facilities that care for people with disabilities, stepping in when

needed to remedy poor care.

However, P&As provide a broader range of services today, including

advocating for de-institutionalization by helping people with disabilities find

the least restrictive living situation possible. Full access to educational

programs, financial entitlements, healthcare, accessible housing,

transportation and disability employment are covered under the P&A

umbrella.

P&A Programs

PADD (Protection and Advocacy for People with Developmental

Disabilities)

CAP (Client Assistance Program)

PAIMI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness)

PAIR (Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights)

PAAT (Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology)

PABSS (Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security)

PATBI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury)

PAVA (Protection and Advocacy for Voting Accessibility)

Disability Advocacy and the Law

Litigation is frequently brought by P&As to force compliance with the law, and about half of P&A directors are

attorneys. All have attorneys and advocates on staff, and some P&As contain separate investigative units. Several

statutes give P&As extraordinary power under the law to investigate facilities, including:

Routine access to all people with developmental disabilities in service institutions

Access within three days to all records pertinent to an investigation

Immediate access within 24 hours of request to all records in a case where the P&A determines there is probable

cause to believe that the health or safety of an individual is in serious and immediate jeopardy or in the event of a

death

Going to trial is not the only tool P&As use to enforce disability rights against abuse and neglect. A public report may

be made giving findings and recommending action, they may work with facilities for cooperative monitoring, or they

may provide training and technical assistance to people with disabilities and institutions.

P&A Funding

Federal monies provide the base of financial support for the programs, most of which are non-profits with typical

board management. Funds are allotted based on population, although the smallest states are guaranteed a minimum

amount for most programs. While some P&As operate on these federal funds alone, others supplement with other

federal or state resources, or even conduct private fundraising.

Jumpstart your disability employment search here.

otection & Advocacy System for People with Disabilities - ... http://www.disaboom.com/disability-benefits-and-program

of 2 12/2/10 8:3

8/8/2019 Protection & Advocacy System for People With Disabilities - Disaboom

2/2

See Additional Disability Employment Resources

Find out how P&A programs can help you.

Discover how NOD is advocating for people with disabilities.

Navigating social security job supports.

otection & Advocacy System for People with Disabilities - ... http://www.disaboom.com/disability-benefits-and-program

of 2 12/2/10 8:3