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)
New York, NY—March 2, 2017—Today, the non-profit firm Disability Rights Advocates filed a federal lawsuit against NYU Langone-NRAD Radiology Centers on behalf of a person who uses a wheelchair after she was denied service based on her disability. None of NYU Langone-NRAD Radiology Centers’ many facilities throughout Long Island and in Queens provide the accessible … Continue reading “NYU Langone-NRAD Radiology Centers Fails to Accommodate Wheelchair Users”
New York, NY – January 31, 2017 – A settlement has been reached between the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and CityBridge, LLC to ensure that the LinkNYC public communications network is fully accessible to the blind now and in the future. LinkNYC, touted as a “first-of-its-kind communication network,” provides free mobile device charging, … Continue reading “Access to the Blind Ensured at LinkNYC Communication Network”
Berkeley, CA – January 24, 2017 – The Berkeley Center for Independent Living (CIL), a non-profit organization and Wal-Mart have reached an agreement that represents the culmination of a three-year endeavor by Wal-Mart to develop a first-of-its-kind card reader payment device mount that provides even greater access for its customers with mobility disabilities. As part of … Continue reading “Wal-Mart and Disability Advocates Reach Agreement on Card Reader Payment Device Mounts”
Youth with Disabilities in Adult Prisons Entitled to Special Education, Lawsuit Contends January 11, 2017 – Newark, NJ – Adult prisons in New Jersey routinely violate the rights of high school students with disabilities by denying them education, according to a federal class action lawsuit filed today. Some students in these prisons receive no education … Continue reading “Incarcerated Students with Disabilities Sue New Jersey Over Denial of Education”
“Eagle Awardees model disability inclusion and integration: innovating and setting precedents benefitting the disability community.” ―Mary-Lee Smith, DRA Interim Executive Director San Francisco, CA—November 3rd, 2016—Today, Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), the leading national nonprofit disability rights legal center, announced its 2016 Eagle Awardees: Michael Argenyi and his legal team, Jessica Cox, Nyle DiMarco and the … Continue reading “Disability Rights Advocates Unveils 2016 Eagle Awardees”
New York, NY—October 27, 2016—Today, an unprecedented class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court alleging that New York City’s police precincts are largely inaccessible to people with mobility disabilities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Disability Rights Advocates (“DRA”) filed the lawsuit on behalf of four individual plaintiffs who were unable to get … Continue reading “NYPD Ignores Equal Access for Wheelchair Users”
New York, NY—September 27, 2016—Today, Union Community Health Center (UCHC) and Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) unveiled a comprehensive plan to provide accessible health care for patients with disabilities in the Bronx. The Bronx is New York City’s most medically underserved borough and people with disabilities especially feel the brunt of its inadequate health care … Continue reading “Community Health Center in the Bronx Adopts Innovative Plan to Improve Health Care Services for Patients with Disabilities”
September 15, 2016 – New York, NY – Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a leading nonprofit law firm advancing disability rights nationwide, announced today the appointment of Michelle Caiola as Director of Litigation. Ms. Caiola will work in tandem with fellow Director of Litigation and Interim Executive Director Mary-Lee Smith. Sid Wolinsky, the founder of DRA, … Continue reading “Disability Rights Advocates Announces New Director of Litigation”
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf proclaimed August 15 as Larry Paradis Day, in honor of DRA’s Cofounder and Executive Director who passed away on July 28, 2016. This proclamation is reproduced below: Office of the Mayor Proclamation Oakland, California In Recognition and Celebration of Disability Civil Rights Leader Larry Paradis Whereas, Larry Paradis spent his life … Continue reading “Oakland Mayor Proclaims August 15 as Larry Paradis Day”
Disability civil rights law has taken center stage at the Democratic National Convention. It is time that New York City puts disability civil rights at the forefront of its agenda, according to leading disability rights organizations in New York City. As Mayor De Blasio and New York City prepare to celebrate the 26th Anniversary of … Continue reading “New Report Shows NYC Lagging Behind the Nation on ADA Compliance”