Programs
Learn more about the programs at Disability Rights California including Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy (OCRA) and Client Assistance Program (CAP). Find descriptions of the programs, helpful links, related cases/litigation, success stories and more.
Abuse, Neglect, and Crimes Against People with Disabilities
People with disabilities are at a higher risk of abuse, neglect and being victims of crime. Estimates show they are at least four to ten times more likely victims than people without disabilities are. For more information about our work in this area, keep reading.
California Office of Patients' Rights (COPR)
The California Office of Patients' Rights is a DRC unit. We have a contract with the Department of State Hospitals. We advocate and train in the five state hospitals. We give technical assistance and training to county Patients' Rights Advocates. To learn more keep reading. The California Office of Patients' Rights (COPR) is a unit within Disability Rights California. Under contract with California's Department of State Hospitals, California Office of Patients' Rights provides direct advocacy and training for the five State Hospitals.
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
The Client Assistance Program helps people get services from the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). Examples of DOR services are training, school, and a job. For more about our work in this area, read on.
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) provides information; advice and advocacy to help people with disabilities get rehabilitation services from the DOR, such as training, education and a job. In addition, CAP advocates help protect the rights of people who receive or need services from Independent Living Centers, or other Rehabilitation Act Funded partners.
Legal Advocacy Unit (LAU)
The Legal Advocacy Unit (LAU) is DRC’s core protection & advocacy legal program. We have about 125 attorneys, advocates and support staff in six offices. We have offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, Los Angeles, Ontario and San Diego.
The LAU has an Intake Unit and an Outreach Unit. The LAU also has seven statewide Practice Groups organized by legal topic. To find out more about the LAU’s work, please keep reading.
Multicultural Affairs (MCA)
The Multicultural Affairs (MCA) Unit’s goal is to empower California’s diverse disability communities. We do this by giving workshops and training. To learn more about our work, keep reading.
Our staff are as diverse as the communities we seek to serve. We reach many people with cultural, language, and disability differences. We are committed to reaching and empowering under represented and underserved communities. The MCA Unit strives to incorporate DRC’s vision statement in all that we do.
Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy (OCRA)
Providing free legal information, advice and representation to regional center clients. We provide the clients’ rights advocate for each regional center. To find out more, keep reading.
Peer Self-Advocacy (PSA)
In the Peer Self-Advocacy program (PSA), individuals with mental health disabilities share experiences and help their peers speak up, make decisions, help each other and live the lives they choose. We reach out and provide self-advocacy groups and trainings where people live and in the community. The PSA knows that change can and does happen.
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)
Disability Rights California’s WIPA Project offers free individualized work incentives counseling to eligible individuals who live in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties.
Eligibility for our Services
Individuals with disabilities who are at least ages 14 years old and have not yet reached retirement age, and are currently receiving benefits based on a disability: