Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy (OCRA)

Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy (OCRA)

The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) is part of Disability Rights California. OCRA provides free legal information, advice, and representation to regional center clients.

DRC Program

Office of Clients' Rights Advocacy (OCRA)

The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) is part of Disability Rights California. OCRA provides free legal information, advice, and representation to regional center clients. OCRA serves clients of all 21 regional centers throughout California, and has been serving them since 1999. We have a Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) serving each regional center. The CRA helps protect regional center clients' rights.

Special Education Rights & Responsibilities Manual (SERR)
Rights Under The Lanterman Act (RULA)
OCRA Public Reports

Who Can OCRA Help?

Anyone can ask OCRA about a regional center client’s rights. OCRA will answer the questions or help find another resource. Regional center clients or family members can ask OCRA to advocate for their rights.

Icon of a Contact book Find your OCRA contacts here

How Can Your Clients’ Rights Advocate Help You?

Your Clients’ Rights Advocate can:

  • Help regional center clients and their families get services.
  • Provide information about rights and services.
  • Provide training.
  • Represent regional center clients in meetings and hearings.
  • Investigate complaints about denial of rights.

How Will OCRA Decide If It Can Help?

In deciding if OCRA can advocate for you, your CRA will look at:

  • The merits of your case.
  • Your ability to advocate for yourself.
  • The availability of OCRA resources.
  • Other available advocacy resources.

What Issues Can OCRA Help With?

  • Abuse or Neglect
  • Alternatives to Conservatorship
  • In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
  • Living Options and Avoiding Restrictive Settings
  • Medi-Cal and Health Care
  • Privacy and Personal Autonomy
  • Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications
  • Regional Center Services
  • School Services
  • Self-Advocacy
  • Social Security and SSI
  • OCRA can help your criminal or other attorney if it is disability-related

How to Contact Us:

To contact your OCRA office, call:

  • Northern California 1-800-390-7032 (TTY 877-669-6023)
  • Southern California 1-866-833-6712 (TTY 877-669-6023)

Or you can call your advocate directly at the number listed on the staff links page.

If you are an OCRA client and are unhappy with how we helped you, you can file a grievance.

Helpful Links