OBJECTIVE:

Advocate on behalf of people with disabilities to ensure their access to public and subsidized housing, public accommodations, and DC government services and supports in the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs.

Priorities:

A. Pursue legal advocacy to enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in federally-funded private housing developments in the District of Columbia to make them accessible to individuals with mobility disabilities.

B. Work to ensure that public accommodations are accessible to people with mobility, hearing and visual impairments in the District of Columbia.

C. Monitor and enforce the D.C. Housing Authority’s compliance with the Federal Court consent order requiring the construction or renovation of 565 fully wheelchair-accessible public housing units, among other improvements in the public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Programs.

D. Work to ensure that the DC Medical Assistance Administration makes quality home-based attendant care services and supports available through the Elderly and Physical Disabilities Waiver Program and Medicaid State Plan to people with disabilities seeking alternatives to nursing home placement, and provide training, materials, and assistance to individuals in obtaining these services to ease their transition to the community.

E. Urge DC Medicaid, DC Housing Authority, and Department of Housing and Community Development to coordinate efforts to implement the Money Follows the Person Grant, and facilitate the transition to the community of 240 senior citizens and people with physical disabilities from nursing homes by December 31, 2008 under that grant.

F. Investigate and remedy allegations of abuse and neglect against people with disabilities who are transitioning from nursing homes.

G. Host an outreach event awards program to highlight the work of the
program and to bring together people with disabilities to celebrate their
accomplishments.

CASE SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. ULS accepts cases of those who have disabilities and whose complaint falls within the aforementioned priorities; and

2. Cases in which the client is a resident of the District of Columbia.

While we recognize that every situation is important, please note 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. The Executive Director shall respond to any client grievance in writing within thirty days of receipt. A client may appeal the Executive Director’s decision to the ULS Board of Directors within ten 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.

Jane Brown, Executive Director
University Legal Services
220 I Street, N.E., Suite 130
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 547-0198 Telephone
(202) 547-2662 Facsimile
(202) 547-2657 TTY