Information and Legal Resources

DRA takes cases involving wide-spread systemic civil rights violations that affect a large group of people with disabilities. DRA does not take cases that affect only a few individuals who may have experienced isolated incidents of discrimination.  

These resources are intended to provide information that may assist you further. The organizations listed are not affiliated with DRA and therefore we do not guarantee the accuracy of their information.

If you are seeking legal assistance, you should know that all cases have limited periods of time in which claims, complaints, or appeals can be brought. Accordingly, if you intend to bring a suit, you should promptly consult a lawyer or check the applicable statute of limitations and act promptly.

Disability Benefits Resources:

Your local Independent Living Center provides benefits counseling: www.virtualcil.net/cils/  
Disability Rights California (DRC) provides benefits counseling, visit: http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/  
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities’ website provides a list of disability-related agencies in your state: http://nichcy.org/state-organization-search-by-state
National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
http://www.nosscr.org/about.html, Referral line: 800-431-2804
Disability Benefits 101: www.disabilitybenefits101.org
 

Individual Education Plan (IEP) Resources:


Inside California:  
Disability Rights California (DRC)
 
Disability Rights, Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
http://www.dredf.org/, 510-644-2555
 
Community Alliance for Special Education (CASE)
 
West Regional Center Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center
http://www.matrixparents.org/, 415-884-3535

 

Outside of California:

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities’ website provides a list of disability-related agencies in your state: http://nichcy.org/state-organization-search-by-state

 

Information On Your Rights:

2-1-1
2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral. Call 2-1-1 for help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more.
 
Independent Living Centers:
State links to independent living centers nationwide: www.virtualcil.net/cils/
 
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Provides information about your employment rights and job accommodations
http://askjan.org/, 1-800-526-7234
 
U.S. Access Board
Provides information on general accessibility questions: http://www.access-board.gov/, 1-800-872-2253
 
U.S. Department of Justice ADA Hotline
1-800-514-0301 (Voice)
1-800-514-0383 (TTY)
 
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
To file a complaint with the DOJ, visit: http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/
 
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
To file a complaint with the DOT, visit: http://www.dot.gov/about.html
 
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
To file a complaint with the EEOC, visit: http://www.eeoc.gov/employees/charge.cfm

 

Legal Resources:

American Bar Association “find legal help” site: www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm

Bay Area Legal Aid Legal
Advice Line: 800-551-5554 (Voice)
 
Disability Rights California (DRC)
DRC provides advocacy help for Californians with disabilities.
800.719.5798 (TTY)
800.776.5746 (Voice)
 
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
DREDF advocates for the legal rights of individuals and families.
3075 Adeline Street, Suite 210
Berkeley, CA 94703
510.644.2555 (Voice)
510-841-8645 (Fax/TTY)
 
Disability Rights Legal Center, Civil Rights Litigation Project
Provides free legal representation to people with disabilities who are encountering discrimination in violation of their civil rights
213-736-1031 (Voice)
 
East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC)
EBCLC provides legal services for the low-income community in the areas of housing, welfare, HIV & health, homelessness and economic development.
2921 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
510.548.4040 (Voice)
510.548.2566 (Fax)
 
Eviction Defense Center, A Non-Profit Law Corporation
Provides legal services to prevent evictions
1611 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 726 (near 16th Street)
Oakland, CA  94612
(510) 452-4541 (Voice)
(510) 452-4875 (Fax)
 
Homeless Action Center (HAC)
HAC provides barrier-free legal assistance to the hardest to reach populations.
HAC provides free public benefits advocacy to people who are homeless and mentally ill in Alameda County. The Berkeley office is located at:
3126 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 540-0878 (Voice)
(510) 540-0403 (Fax)