Siblings hug each other. The sibling on the left is crouched down and leaning on the sibling to the right who is using a wheelchair and has a feeding tube in.

Who We Are

Disability Rights Iowa is a legal non-profit. DRI has been a part of the Protection and Advocacy network since 1984. Since then, it has been our mission to protect and advocate for the rights of Iowans with disabilities.

The Statements that Drive our Work

Our Mission: Advocates for justice. Advances human and legal rights. Protects Iowans with disabilities.

Our Vision: Disability Rights Iowa strives for a changed world where people with disabilities are valued and fully included in their communities, their workplaces, and their schools, where they have access to all opportunities and make their own decisions.

DRI will actively seek input from all members of Iowa’s disability community. DRI will value their lived experiences and expertise as we shape our disability rights advocacy.

The mural depicts important progress in the disability rights movement as we dedicate our work to ensure the disability community has equal access in all aspects of their lives. The mural showcases disability rights activists such as Barbara Johnson, Judy Heumann, and other participants of the 504 Sit-in. The mural also highlights different aspects of advancements for accessibility ranging from Braille books to assistive technology. Additionally, the mural includes a parent communicating with their child through American Sign Language, a disabled veteran, and picket signs representative of numerous demonstrations for disability rights. These signs demonstrate progress for the disability community, while simultaneously symbolizing the advocacy that is still needed from groups, like DRI, to achieve full access, equality, and representation in society. — Mural depiction of important progress in the disability rights movement as we dedicate our work to ensure the disability community has equal access in all aspects of their lives.

scattered colored circles decorate the area around text that reads "Disability Rights Iowa: Creating Change"

Our Core Values

DRI zealously advocates for the civil and human rights of people with disabilities. We believe Iowans with disabilities deserve to be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect. Our advocacy follows these beliefs and core values. Everyday, we will work to provide meaningful assistance to Iowans with disabilities. Our team understands and appreciates each Iowan’s unique experiences and needs.

Our Core Value is “Creating Change”, or;

Phrases typed out and stacked on top of each other highlighting one letter from each phrase to spell out "creating change" The phrases are "civil rights, partnership, empowerment, access, safety, community, lived experiences, dignity, and change"

What is a P&A agency?

In 1975, Congress created the Protection and Advocacy network. This was in response to abuse in institutions. P&As serve people with disabilities across the United States. The network:

investigates abuse and neglect,
monitors facilities, and
provides legally based advocacy.

There are P&As in each state and territory. See the National Disability Rights Network for information about other P&As.

Group of people working at a desk. There is a medium skin toned woman wearing dark glasses with her hair in a bun, a light skin toned man with a dark beard, a light skin toned man using a wheelchair with his head turned away from the camera, and a light skin toned man facing the man using a wheelchair.

Our Team

We are a team of attorneys, paralegals, and advocates.

Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors ensure our operation. We have a Board of 12–15-members committed to improving the lives of Iowans with disabilities. The board is responsible for the planning, design, and funding of DRI. It also works with the Mental Health Advisory Council to develop DRI’s annual priorities.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Young business woman using a wheelchair working at office desk and with laptop, talking on mobile phone

five people sitting in a circle dressed business casual in various living room furniture. There are sticky notes covering the wall, bookshelves, and computer desks behind them.

Mental Health Advisory Council

This Council advocate for Mental Health representation in our work. The Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI) requires us to have the Mental Health Advisory Council. The Council includes 8-12 members who are:

individuals with mental illness,
family members, or
professionals who are knowledgeable about mental illness.

The council coordinates with DRI and our board to ensure we meet the needs of Iowans with mental illness. The council develops our annual priorities with the board. The council also provides:

legal rights training,
gets feedback from people with mental illness, and
connects DRI with other organizations in the community.

Meet Our Mental Health Advisory Council

Our Programs

DRI helps Iowans with disabilities with their disability rights issues. If we cannot help, we will try to find someone who can. We help adults and youth with disabilities. There is no income limit, citizenship, or language requirement to qualify for help. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. We receive funding from funding and federal agencies to complete this work. To learn more about these agencies, follow the “Learn more about our programs” link below.

Learn More About Our Programs