Organization
Disability Rights Advocates(DRA)
DRA is a national non-profit legal centre that enforces civil rights for people with all types of disabilities through impact litigation — targeting systemic barriers and setting precedents that benefit entire communities rather than individual clients.
About Disability Rights Advocates
Founded in 1993 and based in Berkeley, California (with an office in New York), Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is a national disability rights legal centre focused on systemic impact litigation. Rather than taking individual cases, DRA files class action lawsuits and injunctive relief cases that force systemic change — making DRA a significant force in shaping how institutions, governments, and companies treat people with disabilities.
What they do
DRA litigates high-impact cases under the ADA, Section 504, the Rehabilitation Act, and related laws across multiple disability types and access barriers.
Digital accessibility litigation: DRA has been a leading plaintiff's firm in digital accessibility cases, filing suit against major retailers, financial institutions, and other companies whose websites were inaccessible to blind and visually impaired users. These cases have shaped how companies approach web accessibility.
Education: DRA cases have addressed inaccessible schools, inadequate AT in education settings, and discrimination in higher education.
Healthcare and healthcare facilities: Access to healthcare for people with disabilities, including accessible medical equipment.
Transportation and built environment: Accessible transit systems, accessible housing developments.
Key programs and resources
- Case database: Published decisions from DRA's litigation provide legal precedents used by advocates nationwide
- Intake process: DRA reviews requests for legal assistance from individuals and organisations facing systemic barriers
Who they serve
DRA's class action cases benefit broad classes of people with disabilities. Their litigation targets systemic barriers rather than individual discrimination, so the impact ripples beyond any single case.
Why it matters
DRA's digital accessibility litigation has been instrumental in forcing companies to make their websites and mobile apps accessible. When DRA settles a case or wins a judgment, the resulting consent decree often requires a comprehensive remediation programme, third-party monitoring, and reporting — creating lasting change. For people using screen readers or other AT to navigate digital content, DRA's work has directly increased the number of accessible services available.
Related Organizations
National Disability Rights Network(NDRN)
FeaturedWashington, DCNationalNDRN 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.
Mixed LeadershipCross-DisabilityLegal AdvocacyAmerican Association of People with Disabilities(AAPD)
Washington, DCNationalAAPD is a national disability membership organisation focused on increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on civic engagement, voting rights, and economic advancement.
Disabled-LedCross-DisabilityAdvocacyLeonard Cheshire
London, United KingdomInternationalLeonard Cheshire is one of the UK's largest disability charities, providing care and support services domestically and running international programmes in over 30 countries, primarily in Africa and Asia. Its international programmes focus on inclusive education, livelihoods, and disability rights in low-income countries.
Mixed LeadershipCross-DisabilityPhysical DisabilityService Provider