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LAWYERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
DRO is a Non-Profit Law Firm designated as Oregon’s Protection & Advocacy office. (P&A).
Each state and territory has a P&A funded by the Federal Government.
DRO VISION
Disability Rights Oregon has a vision of a Disability Rights Oregon has a vision of a society in which persons with disabilities society in which persons with disabilities
have equality of opportunity, full have equality of opportunity, full participation and the ability to exercise participation and the ability to exercise
meaningful choicemeaningful choice..
DRO SERVICES
Advocacy for Oregonians with disabilities who have legal issues related to their disability.
9 attorneys, 3 intake specialists, 2 advocates, 4 benefits planners, lobbyist and support staff.
Available statewide to more than 600,000 Oregonians with disabilities at no cost to them.
SPECIAL POWERS
Access to records of: • Clients with
their consent
• Those incapable of providing consent
SPECIAL POWERS
Access to facilities and residents
• To investigate complaints or probable cause to believe that abuse, neglect or rights violation occurred
• Monitoring
CASES DRO TAKES
Cases are accepted from about 3200 requests per year based upon:• Priority legal issue
• Risk of long-term harm
• Positive changes for the community
• Services to minority, rural and other underserved communities
CASES DRO DOES NOT
No reasonable likelihood of success based on the facts and the law
Lack expertise or resources DRO lacks
No criminal cases No family law matters
STRATEGIES
Information and Referral Advice & Self-Help Materials Individual representation Investigation of complaints of abuse or neglect Monitoring of facilities Legal representation that will enforce or change the
law to further program goals Policy advocacy to further program goals Training and Outreach
ACCESS TO FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN
Staying in school. Seclusion/Restraint Mainstreaming
FEDERAL FUNDING Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
(PAIDD, 1975) Vocational Rehabilitation (CAP, 1984) Mental Illness (PAIMI, 1986) Other disabilities (PAIR, 1993) Assistive Technology (PAAT, 1994) Employment (PABSS, 2000) Benefits Planning (WIPA, 2000) Brain Injury (PATBI, 2003) Voting (PAVA, 2003)
TBI PROGRAM
The Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 (PL 104-166) directs Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund the 57 P&A programs to provide advocacy support to individuals with TBI and their families.
The first P&A grants were issued in 2003. DRO receives $50,000 per year.
SYSTEMIC GOALS FOR 2013 Promote a comprehensive, integrated case
management program for individuals with TBI Monitor and participate in the transformation of the
Oregon Health Plan to an integrated, outcome based approach to ensure the needs of individuals with TBI will be met.
Monitor rulemaking for health care and services to ensure the rights and needs of individuals with TBI area addressed.
Work to develop a plan, in conjunction with our partners, to address the needs of veterans with TBI.