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A dark teal circle with a white image of the scales of justice inside rests next to text "Disability Rights Iowa: Legal Protection and Advocacy" the "ability" in disability is highlighted.

Home - Disability Rights Iowa

Legal protection and advocacy.

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Our Programs

Disability Rights Iowa receives funding from private donations and the following federal agencies to protect and advocate for the rights of Iowans with disabilities and mental illness.

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD)

DRI receives funding from the Administration on Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Protection and Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD) Act to provide protection and advocacy services to individuals with a developmental or intellectual disability as defined by federal law.

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)

DRI receives funding from the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for providing protection and advocacy services to individuals with a significant mental illness or emotional impairment under the Protection of Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Act. Initially, only individuals in facilities were eligible for services under this program. In 2000, the eligibility was expanded to include individuals with a significant mental illness or emotional impairment living either in facilities or in the community. However, pursuant to Congressional mandate, DRI gives priority to serving individuals with a significant mental illness or emotional impairment who are living in facilities, are in the process of being admitted to facilities, or are being involuntarily confined in a municipal detention facility for reasons other than serving a sentence resulting from conviction for a criminal offense.

Protection and Advocacy for Individual Right (PAIR)

DRI receives funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education under the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) Program to provide protection and advocacy services to all individuals with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), except for those eligible for Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) or Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI).

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI)

DRI receives funding from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide protection and advocacy for individuals with traumatic brain injuries.

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)

DRI receives funding from the Social Security Administration to 1) provide information and advice about obtaining vocational rehabilitation and employment services and 2) provide advocacy or other services that a Social Security beneficiary needs to secure, maintain or regain gainful employment, including youth receiving Supplemental Security Income (SS) and youth in transition. This program can only serve Social Security beneficiaries who have a disability.

Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA)

DRI receives funding as part of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to provide education, training, and assistance to individuals with disabilities that will promote their full participation in the electoral process, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places.

Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT)

DRI has a sub-grant from the University of Iowa, which receives a grant from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to assist in the acquisition, utilization, or maintenance of assistive technology devices or assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities.

Representative Payee Program (Rep Payee)

DRI receives funding from the Social Security Administration to provide oversight of representative payees and their services to beneficiaries, as well as giving them support to better understand their role and responsibilities.

Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA)

DRI receives funding from the Social Security Administration to provide work incentives planning and assistance (WIPA) services to Social Security beneficiaries who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and who want to pursue gainful employment/self-employment.

Disclaimer: DRI receives primary funding through grants from federal agencies. Communications from DRI, including text, audio, or video used for advertising or educational purposes, including emails or internet postings, are printed, published, or produced and disseminated at U.S. taxpayer expense.

What We Do

In order to address the many issues faced by individuals with disabilities, DRI’s Board of Directors and Mental Health Advisory Council work together to develop our priorities each year. We call these priorities our areas of focus, which guide us in providing legal and advocacy services for Iowans with disabilities.

Explore Our Areas of Focus

Voting

Education

Health Care

Employment

Accessibility

Juvenile Justice

Abuse & Neglect

Community Living

Assistive Technology

Guardianship Alternatives

We’re Here to Help

Reach out to our team to let us assess your situation and provide proper guidance and next steps.

Request services

Need More Info?

Disability Rights Iowa serves as an educational resource for empowering, educating, and supporting yourself and the disability community. Our free resources provide more information about our areas of focus and related topics.

View Our Resources

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Copyright © 2023 · DISABILITY RIGHTS IOWA · All rights reserved.
Information contained on the website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Neither the information contained on the website nor the use thereof by a site visitor creates a contract or an attorney-client relationship. There is no promise or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, adequacy, timeliness, or relevance of the information contained on the website. Disability Rights Iowa is not responsible for the content of any third party comments posted on Disability Rights Iowa’s site or any site accessible through a hyperlink on the Disability Rights Iowa’s website.

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