Resources
DRA takes cases involving wide-spread systemic civil rights violations that affect a large group of people with disabilities. DRA does not take cases that affect only a few individuals who may have experienced isolated incidents of discrimination.
These resources are intended to provide information that may assist you further. The organizations listed are not affiliated with DRA and therefore we do not guarantee the accuracy of their information.
If you are seeking legal assistance, you should know that all cases have limited periods of time in which claims, complaints, or appeals can be brought. Accordingly, if you intend to bring a suit, you should promptly consult a lawyer or check the applicable statute of limitations and act promptly.
Disability Community Resources:
California Based Resources
AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP)
San Francisco
1663 Mission Street, Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: (415) 701-1100
Fax: (415) 701-1400
Oakland
1320 Webster Street
Oakland, CA 94610
Tel: (510) 451-5353
Find more information about the AIDS Referral Legal Panel at the link.
You can reach the AIDS Referral Legal Panel at info@alrp.org.
Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal)
Tel: (800) 551-5554
Find more information about Bay Area Legal Aid at the link.
Bar Association of San Francisco Lawyer Referral Program
301 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: (415) 982-1600
Find more information about the Bar Association of San Francisco Lawyer Referral Program at the link.
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
To file complaints regarding discrimination in housing, employment, and public spaces
2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA 95758
Tel: (916) 478-7251
Communication Center: 1-800-884-1684
More information about the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
File a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
Reach the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing by email at contact.center@dfeh.ca.gov
Causa Justa :: Just Cause
A grassroots organization with a focus on low-income and underserved populations
(good resource for housing/eviction matters)
3268 San Pablo Avenue
Oakland, CA 94608
Oakland Office Phone: (510) 763-5877
East Oakland Office Phone: (415) 487-9203
Find more information about Causa Justa :: Just Cause at the link.
Reach Causa Justa :: Just Cause by email at info@cjjc.org
Disability Rights California (DRC)
DRC provides advocacy help for Californians with disabilities.
Tel: (800) 776-5746
TTY: (800) 719-5798
Find more information about Disability Rights California at the link.
East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC)
EBCLC provides legal services for the low-income community in the areas of housing, welfare, HIV & health, homelessness and economic development.
2921 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
Tel: (510) 548-4040
Fax: (510) 548-2566
Find more information about the East Bay Community Law Center at the link.
Reach the East Bay Community Law Center by email at webinquiry@ebclc.org
Eviction Defense Center, A Non-Profit Law Corporation
Provides legal services to prevent evictions
1611 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 726 (near 16th Street)
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 452-4541
Fax: (510) 452-4875
Find more information about the Eviction Defense Center at the link.
Homeless Action Center (HAC)
HAC provides barrier-free legal assistance to the hardest to reach populations: public benefits advocacy to people who are homeless and mentally ill in Alameda County. The Berkeley office is located at:
3126 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
Tel: (510) 540-0878
Fax: (510) 540-0403
Find more information about the Homeless Action Center at the link.
Reach the Homeless Action Center by email at info@homelessactioncenter.org.
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA)
Statewide not-for-profit legal service and advocacy organization that assists vulnerable populations with financial, economic, and homeownership issues.
P.O. Box 29435
Oakland, CA 94604-0091
Tel: (510) 271-8443
Fax: (510) 868-4521
Find more information about Housing and Economic Rights Advocates at the link.
Housing Equality Law Project
For housing discrimination issues in the Bay Area
180 South Spruce Avenue, Suite 250
San Francisco, CA 94080
Tel: (415) 434-9400 or (650) 273-8140
Fax: (650) 273-8143
Find more information about the Housing Equality Law Project at the link.
The Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center
180 Montgomery St # 600
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: (415) 864-8848
TDD: (415) 593-0091
Fax: (415) 864-8199
Find more information about the Legal Aid Society Employment Law Center at the link.
Reach the Legal Aid Society Employment Law Center by email at info@las-elc.org.
Legal Services for Children
1254 Market Street, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: (415) 863-3762
Fax: (415) 863-7708
Find more information about Legal Services for Children at the link.
Prison Law Office
Prison Law Office
General Delivery
San Quentin, CA 94964
Tel: (415) 457-9144
Find more information about the Prison Law Office at the link.
Rubicon Programs – Legal Services
For assistance with SSI/SSDI applications and appeals process in the East Bay
101 Broadway
Richmond, CA 94804
Tel: (510) 232-6611
Find more information about Rubicon Programs Legal Services at the link.
Swords to Plowshares
Legal services and other supportive programs for veterans in the Bay Area
1060 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: 415-252-4788
Find more information about Swords to Plowshares at the link.
New York Based Resources
City Bar Justice Center
Provides referrals and probono legal assistance to low income clients
42 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
Tel: 212-382-6600
Fax: 212-221-5318
For general legal questions, please call the Legal Hotline at 212.626.7383
Hotline hours: Monday-Thursday: 9AM – 1PM; 2PM – 5PM, Friday: 9AM – 1PM
Find more information about the City Bar Justice Center at the link.
Disability Rights New York
New York State’s Protection and Advocacy System for persons with disabilities
Tel: (518) 432-7861
TTY: (518) 512-3448
Toll Free: (800) 993-8982
Fax: (518) 427-6561
Find more information about Disability Rights New York at the link.
Reach Disability Rights New York by email at mail@DisabilityRightsNY.org.
New York Legal Assistance Group
Provides civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers who cannot afford attorneys
7 Hanover Square, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Entrance on Water Street
OPERATOR: Tel: 212-613-5000
Find more information about the New York Legal Assistance Group at the link.
Reach the New York Legal Assistance Group by email at info@nylag.org
National Resources
American Bar Association
Reach the American Bar Association’s “find legal help” site at the link.
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
DREDF advocates for the legal rights of individuals and families.
3075 Adeline Street, Suite 210
Berkeley, CA 94703
Tel: (510) 644-2555
Fax: (510) 841-8645
Find more information about the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund at the link.
Reach DREDF by email at info@dredf.org.
Disability Rights Legal Center, Civil Rights Litigation Project
Provides free legal representation to people with disabilities who are encountering discrimination in violation of their civil rights.
Tel: (213) 736-1031
Find more information about the Disability Rights Legal Center Civil Rights Litigation Project at the link.
Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights
For transportation discrimination complaints – particularly with airlines/plane travel
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
Tel: (202) 366-4043
Find more information about the Federal Transit Administration’s Office of Civil Rights at the link.
Lawhelp.org
Find more information about lawhelp.org, a website that lets people search for legal resources by state, by city/county, and by issue, at the link.
National Disability Rights Network
The National Disability Rights Network maintains a list of state protection and advocacy agencies for persons with disabilities. Find this list of state-level resources at the link.
U.S. Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights – Disability Rights Section
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section – NYA
Washington, D.C. 20530
Tel: (202) 307-0663
Fax: (202) 307-1197
Reach the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section at the link. :
Talk to an ADA Specialist
Voice: (800) 514-0301
TTY: (800) 514-0383