Statewide Advocacy
Input from DRI’s last four surveys indicated there are statewide issues in Iowa that create barriers for people with disabilities, do not protect rights of people with disabilities and/or violate the rights of people with disabilities. In 2022, DRI’s Board of Directors determined the most meaningful approach to addressing these barriers was a refocus on litigation/advocacy efforts from individual to statewide advocacy. Statewide advocacy seeks to address the root of the barrier and/or disability rights violation and provides relief for all affected individuals. Statewide advocacy also maximizes DRI’s scarce resources by providing relief for everyone who experiences the same disability rights issue. Statewide advocacy requires that DRI prioritize the most significant disability rights issues that impact the largest number of Iowans.
DRI’s New Priority on Statewide Advocacy
DRI prioritizes work that results in statewide change through advocacy, litigation, policy, and education of individuals with disabilities and stakeholders on the impact of disability rights and/or the impact of statewide barriers to the disability community.
DRI considers individual service requests according to the areas of focus defined in this document, under the sections entitled “Individual Cases DRI will Consider” within each listed goal. DRI will give priority to individual cases that have the potential to create broad, statewide change.
Examples of individuals cases that may meet this criterion include:
- Individual Litigation Case: a court case that results in an important remedy or outcome for the individual and makes a significant impact on an identified disability rights issue.
- Individual Appellate Case: an appeal brought on behalf of one individual that addresses larger statewide legal and/or advocacy issues.
- Impact Litigation Cases: a court case that may have a broad impact on Iowans with disabilities as a whole while assisting the individual or individuals involved. This type of case comes from an individual or a group. The result may provide statewide relief for more people than just the individual(s) seeking relief for their complaint/issue.
- Amicus: DRI may offer our expertise when we identify disability-related litigation where the outcome could affect a large number of Iowans with disabilities. DRI is not a party to the case but submits a brief and/or presents oral argument as a friend of the courts.
We want to hear your voice!
We seek to reflect the community’s needs by encouraging individuals to suggest new areas of focus as needed. Our priority is to help Iowans with disabilities where they need it most. If you have a suggestion, please fill out our form.
Need help?
Reach out to DRI if you have an issue that falls within our areas of focus.
Want to learn more?
DRI provides an extensive resource center so you can learn more about your rights.
