Ohio Disability Rights Law and Policy Center, Inc.

The Ohio Disability Rights Law and Policy Center, Inc., operating as Disability Rights Ohio, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities across Ohio. The organization serves as Ohio's Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP).

Mission and Vision

Disability Rights Ohio envisions a society where individuals with disabilities can live and work as full and equal members of their communities, enjoying the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Its mission is to promote an equitable Ohio for people with disabilities by advocating for their rights and empowering them to advocate for themselves.

Governance

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, primarily composed of people with disabilities and their family members. This composition ensures that the organization's decisions are informed by lived experiences and perspectives of those it serves.

Services and Advocacy

Disability Rights Ohio provides legal advocacy and rights protection to individuals with disabilities, addressing issues such as abuse, neglect, discrimination, access to assistive technology, special education, housing, employment, community integration, voting rights, and more. The organization focuses on assisting those at heightened risk of harm or discrimination, including those in institutional settings or facing barriers to community integration.

Goals and Objectives

Each year, Disability Rights Ohio sets strategic priorities based on input from stakeholders, including surveys from Ohioans with disabilities and their families. Key focus areas include ensuring voting rights, conducting reviews of Social Security representative payees, enforcing access to facilities for monitoring and investigation, and providing training and outreach to facilitate self-advocacy.

Grievance Policy

The organization has a grievance policy in place, allowing clients and their representatives to file complaints if they feel that Disability Rights Ohio has not provided effective services or followed its policies. The grievance process involves multiple levels of review to ensure fairness and resolution.