Home - Disability Rights Iowa

Legal protection and advocacy.

Biracial big sister lovingly hugging disabled little brother in wheelchairoutdoors, smiling

Who We Are

Disability Rights Iowa is a non-profit corporation that is a part of an extensive network of protection & advocacy agencies across the U.S. Since DRI’s establishment in 1984, it has been our mission to protect and advocate for the rights of Iowans with disabilities and mental illness.

Our Mission and Vision

Our Mission: Advocating for justice. Advancing human and legal rights. Protecting 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 equitable access to all opportunities and make their own decisions.

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.

Our Core Values

DRI is committed to protecting the civil and human rights of persons with disabilities through zealous advocacy and representation.  The foundation for our work is that Iowans with disabilities deserve to be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect. DRI’s advocacy is governed by the core values noted below.  We commit to these beliefs and core values.  We will work to make changes so that DRI provides Iowans with disabilities meaningful assistance while understanding and appreciating each individual’s unique experiences and needs.  

DRI’s Advocacy efforts are governed by these core values:

  • Civil Rights
  • Partnership
  • Empowerment
  • Equal Access
  • Justice
  • Inclusion
  • Intersectionality
  • Dignity
  • Change

What is P&A?

In 1975, Congress responded to abuse in institutions by creating a system of protection and advocacy (P&A) agencies to serve individuals with disabilities across the U.S. Since then, the country’s P&As have continued to help people with disabilities by investigating abuse and neglect, monitoring facilities, and providing legally based advocacy. There are P&As in each state and territory. See the National Disability Rights Network for information about other P&As.

Office workers and man in a wheelchair are making a conversation in bright office. They are showing a teamwork.

Our Team

At Disability Rights Iowa, we are a diligent team of attorneys, paralegals, and advocates.

Board of Directors

DRI’s board of directors is essential to our operation. As a non-profit corporation, DRI has a 12–15-member board from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to improving the lives of Iowans with disabilities or mental illness. The board is responsible for the planning, design, and funding of DRI. It also works jointly with the Mental Health Advisory Council to develop DRI’s annual priorities.

Young disabled business woman in wheelchair working at office desk and with laptop, talking on mobile phone
people sitting in a circle in casual setting for a meeting

Mental Health Advisory Council

The Mental Health Advisory Council is made of individuals with firsthand experience involving mental health services. DRI is required under the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI) to have a mental health advisory council. DRI’s council has 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.

Our Programs

As a non-profit corporation, we provide legal services to individuals of all ages with disabilities or mental illness. We provide these services free of charge if we decide to provide information or represent an individual.

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