Our Mission
With offices in California and New York, Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is one of the leading nonprofit disability rights legal centers in the nation. Its mission is to advance equal rights and opportunity for people with all types of disabilities nationwide.
Contact for Press Inquiries
Email: communications@dralegal.org
Phone: (510) 665-8644
Links
DRA General Information Brochure (PDF)
July 11, 2024—Nashville, Tennessee—Earlier this week, a federal judge in the Middle District of Tennessee granted partial summary judgment to multiple plaintiffs finding that the Tennessee Department of Correction violated federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, by failing to provide sign language interpreters in connection with prison … Continue reading “Federal Judge Finds Tennessee Department of Correction in Violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act for Failing to Provide Sign Language Interpreters and Videophones to Deaf Prisoners”
May 14, 2024—New York, NY—In support of DRA’s unique approach to disability advocacy, the Ford Foundation has contributed $200,000 in general funding to support the organization’s high-impact legal work. This gift, along with other significant contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, will help DRA to continue tackling the urgent, systemic, societal barriers to equal participation … Continue reading “Ford Foundation Gives $200,000 to Disability Rights Advocates”
In Violation of HALT, Hundreds of Individuals with Disabilities Languish in Solitary Cells for Up to 24 Hours Per Day May 8, 2024—New York, NY—The Legal Aid Society, Disability Rights Advocates, and Winston & Strawn LLP today filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of incarcerated New Yorkers with disabilities against the New York State … Continue reading “Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against DOCCS and NYSOMH for Illegally Subjecting Disabled New Yorkers to Solitary Confinement in NYS Prisons”
May 6, 2024—New York, NY—Mental Hygiene Legal Services (MHLS) and Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) have released a report titled “Denial of Fresh Air Access for Psychiatric Patients: A Report on NYC H+H Hospitals.” This report outlines findings from a months-long investigation into the denial of fresh air and outdoor access to individuals receiving psychiatric treatment … Continue reading “Investigation Reveals Patients Deprived of All Outdoor Access at Majority of NYC-Run Psychiatric Hospitals”
April 18, 2024—San Francisco, CA—Today, a federal judge approved a class settlement that provides significant changes that will improve the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART)’s accessibility for riders with mobility disabilities. The settlement resolves claims that BART has systemically failed to ensure full and equal access to its stations and services, in … Continue reading “Settlement Agreement with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Improves Accessibility for Riders with Mobility Disabilities”
April 4, 2024—Sacramento, CA—Today, a coalition of disability organizations and California voters with disabilities filed a motion for a preliminary injunction requiring the California Secretary of State (SOS) to implement accessible electronic mechanisms for voters with print disabilities to return their vote-by-mail ballots privately and independently by the November election. This motion comes after the … Continue reading “Coalition of Disability Groups Demand Immediate Action to Ensure Accessible Ballot Return for 2024 Elections”
March 25, 2024 – Los Angeles, California—On March 19, 2024, the Los Angeles County (County) Board of Supervisors approved a settlement agreement in the case of Jane Doe and Mary Roe v. County of Los Angeles (Case No. 21STCV27868) that will lead to a complete overhaul of the way the County Department of Children and … Continue reading “Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Approves Major Settlement, Ending Decades of Discrimination Against Department of Children and Family Services Applicants with Mental Health Disabilities”
March 20, 2024—New York, NY—A coalition of disability groups has responded in federal court after the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) moved to free itself from its court-ordered obligation to make at least 50% of their iconic yellow taxi fleet accessible to people who use wheelchairs. The TLC’s move came after disability … Continue reading “Disability Groups Respond After City Doubles Down on its Refusal to Meet Its Obligation to Provide Wheelchair-Accessible Taxis”
March 1, 2024—Seattle, WA—Today, Providence Swedish and nonprofit law firm Disability Rights Advocates, announce an agreement that memorializes Providence Swedish’s strong commitment to ensuring Deaf patients’ access to health care services at facilities across the Puget Sound region. Over the last year and a half, Providence Swedish worked with Deaf patients represented by Disability Rights … Continue reading “Providence Memorializes Commitment to Communication Access for Deaf Patients”
February 22, 2024—New York, NY—Yesterday a coalition of disability groups filed a motion in federal court to compel the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) to comply with the provisions of a settlement that was agreed upon in 2014 requiring they make at least 50% of their iconic yellow taxi fleet accessible to … Continue reading “Disability Groups File Motion to Prevent New York City From Shirking Its Obligation to Provide Wheelchair-Accessible Taxis”