California’s protection & advocacy system
Toll Free 800.776.5746 / TTY 800.719.5798

  • Disability Rights California – supporting dignity, equality, independence and freedom. We advocate, educate, investigate, and litigate to advance and protect Californians with disabilities.</p>
  • Leaving institutions for a life in the community. We helped Joaquin, and thousands more, to move out of institutions and obtain support to live in communities closer to families and friends.
  • Learning about community living. Our poster explaining community living helpsresidents in institutions learn about their rights. The poster was part of the settlement of our Capitol People First case to help thousands ofCalifornians still in institutions.
  • Investigating abuse: our responsibility as state's protection and advocacy agency. DRC investigates abuse of people with disabilities, especially in state institutions and facilities. We helped pass new laws to improve reporting of abuse.
  • Keeping the state from closing 300 community centers. Esther Darling and 35,000 others benefitted from our case to keep the state from eliminating adult health care centers. Clients need the community-based services to remain in their homes.
  • High demand for special education services. Every year we respond to thousands of requests to help children with disabilities obtain a free, appropriate education in theleast restrictive environment.
  • More than 600 trainings and outreaches in 2011. DRC participates in hundreds of outreaches and trainings, to reach ethnic and distinct language groups who need more information on disability rights.
  • Rights of people withdevelopmental disabilities. We work in all 21 regional centers to help people with developmental disabilities obtain services to support their independence, as required by the Lanterman Act.
  • Providing employment-related services throughout California. We provide the Client Assistance Program to help individuals resolve their issues with the Department of Rehabilitation in their quest for employment.
  • Speaking out for mental health disability rights. Our grant from the CA Mental Health Services Authority focuses on reducing stigma and discrimination against people with mental health issues.
  • Cuts to In-Home Supportive Services were stopped for thousands. Devastating cuts are looming, held back so far by a court injunction resulting from our lawsuit. For most, IHSS provides a safety zone, preventing a move to a hospital or nursing home.

Need help?

Check out our publications about disability services and the law. If you don't find an answer to your problem, give us a call at 1-800-776-5746 or TTY 1-800-719-5798 toll free.

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Direct representation in criminal law, family law, bankruptcy or evictions

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Filling out Social Security application forms

Obtaining guardianship or conservatorship

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May 24: your last chance this year to tell us how to improve our plans for 2014

Apply for a position on our PAIMI Council by July 15

DRC programs & resources

Abuse issues: Investigations Unit

Developmental Disabilities Peer Self-Advocacy

Mental Health Peer Self-Advocacy

Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy for people with Developmental Disabilities

Client Assistance Program (CAP)

Patients’ Rights in state hospitals

Stigma and discrimination reduction project

Fact Sheets on budget cuts

Legislative work

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Disability issues in the news

Thousands participate in 2013 Disability Capitol Action Day (DCAD), Sacramento

HHS task force for state developmental centers

Recommended reading: "Priced out in 2012" documents housing crisis for people with disabilities

IHSS Case Settlement Information

Counties still not prepared to offer expanded mental health care

Some could have gaps in medical coverage under new law

Renewing the Call for the Keeping All Students Safe Act

Why is psychiatry's new manual so much like the old one?

Senate staff issues budget summary: May Revision Highlights