At Disability Rights California we’re working to build a world where all people with disabilities have power and are treated with dignity and respect.

Our role as the state’s Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organization is to advocate for the rights of all Californians with disabilities by litigating, legislating, investigating, educating and representing clients. As the largest P&A in the country, our role is to lead the fights both big and small for intersectional disability rights and understanding. The P&A system was born from tragedy in 1975, in response to the horrific conditions discovered in state institutions, and all these decades later we continue to be a vital watchdog and an indispensable part of the fabric of the United States. We remain crucial as both protector and advocate for the over 62 million US citizens today who self-report a disability, as well as the many vulnerable who may not yet. These impact facts are more than just numbers—they represent thousands of people whose real lives and daily fight for their rights have been supported by DRC.

In Fiscal Year 2024, DRC staff obtained over $3.32 million in lump sum awards and over $1.08 million per month in ongoing economic benefits through individual advocacy.

In addition, through systemic advocacy, DRC staff obtained over $32,000 in lump sum awards and over $3 million per month in ongoing economic benefits for Californians with disabilities.

DRC staff conducted 1,731 Outreaches and Trainings.

64,206 attendees received information and training through outreaches and trainings.

DRC Staff Developed or Revised 23 resources.

The Office of Payee Review and Beneficiary Assistance (OPRABA) program completed 430 reviews of more than 1,585 beneficiaries. 94% of the completed representative payees will be receiving a corrective action plan from DRC or the Social Security Administration.

The Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program provided benefits counseling to 273 new beneficiaries and maintained an active case load of 313 beneficiaries who received assistance with understanding work incentives, reporting earnings to Social Security, resolving various benefit issues, and appealing/waiving Overpayments.

We closely analyzed 492 pieces of legislation (bills) directly impacting persons with disabilities.

We took positions on 116 bills and Sponsored 7 bills.

DRC staff responded to 23,327 requests for assistance.