Disability Rights California

Through our advocacy work for Californians with disabilities, we aim to prevent abuse and neglect; end discrimination and segregation; ensure respect for the autonomy and choices of people with disabilities; and advance basic rights to health care, housing, and education.

Our organization uses a wide range of advocacy strategies — providing information and training so individuals can be effective self-advocates; representing clients in negotiations, administrative hearings and court; investigating abuse and neglect; challenging systemic problems in the courts and through public policy changes to achieve these outcomes.
To ensure that all Californians with disabilities can be effective advocates, we provide information and training in 11 threshold languages and ensure that our website and materials are fully accessible to individuals who use screen readers and other assistive technology devices
Our individually advocacy in negotiations, administrative proceedings and courts helps individuals get access to vital health and mental health care, challenge stigma and discrimination and ensure access to education.
We have the unique federal authority to conduct monitoring of schools, institutions, jails and juvenile facilities and investigate abuse and neglect no matter where it occurs. These strategies help eliminate abusive practices and prevent victimization of individuals who live in care facilities.
Our systemic litigation and policy advocacy challenges and resolves systemic barriers. Using these strategies we can help end the segregation of people with disabilities and ensure they can live in the community of their choice with access to the services they need; protect disability civil rights by ensuring that public agencies provide necessary accommodations; and ensure access to governmental benefits and services.

--For 40 years our work has made a difference and achieved great results and secured equality and justice.
--We have a diverse, passionate and talented staff of more than 250 attorneys, advocates and support and administrative staff. More than 35% of our staff identify as having a disability, 56% of staff are from California's diverse language, racial and ethnic communities. We are located in 35 offices throughout California.
--Our wide range of advocacy tools help us effectively address the needs of our clients and resolve problems in the most cost effective and efficient way.

Over the past 40 years, our advocacy and litigation has directly helped almost a million individuals while having beneficial outcomes for millions more. ‎Last year alone, we helped almost 25,000 individuals. This work resulted in over $5 million dollars in services and benefits to Californians with disabilities.