National Disability Rights Network
NDRN is the membership association for the federally mandated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) organisations in every US state and territory. P&A organisations provide free legal advocacy and representation to people with disabilities — with a combined budget of over $150 million, they are the largest provider of legal services to people with disabilities in the US.
About the National Disability Rights Network
NDRN serves as the national membership association and collective voice for the 57 Protection & Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) organisations in every US state, DC, and the five US territories. These organisations were established by Congress following exposure of abuse in institutions for people with mental illness and intellectual disabilities in the 1970s. They have grown into a comprehensive network of disability legal rights organisations.
What they do
NDRN provides policy advocacy, technical support, training, and a national voice for its member P&A organisations. At the federal level, NDRN advocates for strong funding for P&A programs, for enforcement of disability rights laws, and against measures that would weaken disability protections.
Why P&A organisations matter: Every person with a disability in the US has access to a P&A organisation in their state. P&As provide free legal advocacy — not just legal advice, but actual legal representation — for people with disabilities. Services include:
- Individual rights advocacy (ADA, IDEA, Section 504, Medicaid)
- Investigation and monitoring of facilities where people with disabilities live or receive services
- Litigation on systemic issues
- Legal assistance for people with disabilities in employment, education, housing, and access
P&A organisations are specifically mandated to serve people with disabilities regardless of income, and they cannot charge for services.
Key programs and resources
- PAIMI Programme: Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness — federally funded programme for people with psychiatric disabilities
- PAIR Programme: Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights — serves people with disabilities who do not qualify for other P&A programs
- PATBI Programme: Protection and Advocacy for Traumatic Brain Injury
- PAAT Programme: Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology — provides legal advocacy specifically for AT access
- CAP Programme: Client Assistance Programs help people navigate the vocational rehabilitation system
Who they serve
Anyone with a disability in any US state or territory can contact their state P&A for free legal assistance. NDRN's member organisations collectively serve hundreds of thousands of people each year.
Why it matters
For many people with disabilities — particularly those with lower incomes who cannot afford private attorneys — P&A organisations are the only source of skilled legal help. The PAAT programme specifically means there are legal advocates in every state who can help people fight for access to assistive technology through schools, Medicaid, or insurance.