THE MISSION of the Protection and Advocacy program for individuals with Developmental Disabilities at University Legal Services (“ULS”) is to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are afforded the full rights and entitlements accorded to them by local and federal law. Among these rights are the right to self-determination, to be free from harm, to be afforded due process, to develop physically, emotionally, and intellectually, and to be included in community life with the opportunities and choices those rights imply.
The following objectives reflect ULS’ commitment to promote individual choice, autonomy, and inclusion in community life.
1. Promote full accessibility of public accommodations, polling places,
and government-funded programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
2. Investigate abuse and/or neglect complaints and address instances where
there is probable cause to believe there may have been abuse or neglect.
3. Advocate to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities have access to quality care, consumer choice, and services in the most integrated and appropriate setting through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and DC Medicaid program.
4. Provide outreach and education to administrative and policymaking bodies, advocates, and members of the community to promote self-determination, consumer choice, and high-quality services to maximize independent living options and placement in the most integrated and appropriate settings for individuals with developmental disabilities.
5. Advocate for appropriate community-based services and inclusion in the community for individuals who are dually diagnosed with a mental illness and an intellectual disability.
6. Advocate for appropriate special education services in the least restrictive environment for children with developmental disabilities attending DCPS or public charter schools.
7. Provide outreach and education to administrative and policymaking bodies,
advocates, and the community to promote the inclusion of children with
disabilities in DCPS schools in the least restrictive environment and
educate parents and children about their rights under the IDEA.
8. Monitor DCPS Schoolwide Application Model (SAM) and Full Service Schools
(FSS) to ensure that children with developmental disabilities receive
appropriate special education supports and services in the least restrictive
environment.
9. Advocate for the appropriate transition of young adults with developmental disabilities from child-serving agencies to adult-serving agencies.
10. Continue to represent the plaintiffs in Evans v. Fenty to ensure that class members receive appropriate services and supports.
11. Continue to represent the plaintiffs in ULS v. St. Elizabeths Hospital to protect the rights of dually-diagnosed residents to appropriate treatment, services and supports in a safe environment.
12. Represent plaintiff class members with mobility disabilities under the Young v. DC Housing Authority case to ensure they receive interim housing options and monetary remedies pending the completion of the remaining 90 mandated accessible public housing units pursuant to the Amended Consent Order.
13. Continue to represent the plaintiffs in Petties v. District of Columbia to ensure that class members receive safe and appropriate transportation services and that DCPS timely pays private providers that serve class members.
CASE SELECTION CRITERIA
Cases related to protecting the legal and human rights of individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in the District of Columbia which fall within the aforementioned objectives.
While we recognize that every situation is important, please note that case acceptance is dependent upon available resources, including staff time. If your case is not accepted and you wish to file a grievance, submit your grievance in writing to the Executive Director at:
Jane Brown, Executive Director
University Legal Services
220 I Street, NE, Suite 130
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 547-0198 Phone
(202) 547-2662 Fax
(202) 547-2657 TTY
The Executive Director shall respond to any grievance in writing within
thirty (30) days of receipt. A grievant may appeal the Executive Director’s
decision to the ULS Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the written
decision of the Executive Director. The decision of the ULS Board of Directors
shall be final and not subject to further appeal or review. Client confidentiality
shall be maintained.