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, and the Fair Housing Act in privately owned and financed housing in the District of Columbia to make them accessible to, or otherwise accommodate, individuals with mobility disabilities.
B. To mark the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, work to ensure that public accommodations, polling sites, and governmental facilities are accessible to people with mobility, hearing and visual disabilities in the District of Columbia.
C. 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 accessible public housing units pursuant to the July 2008 Amended Consent Order.
D. Advocate and/or litigate to require the DC Department of Health Care Finance and the DC Office on Aging to ensure access to quality home-based personal care services and supports through the Elderly and Physical Disabilities (EPD) Medicaid Waiver Program and the DC Medicaid State Plan to people with disabilities seeking alternatives to nursing home placement. Provide training, informational materials, and assistance to individuals in obtaining these services to ease their transition to the community.
E. Investigate and remedy allegations of abuse and/or neglect against people with disabilities who transition from nursing homes and/or live in the community.
F. Provide outreach and education to administrative and policy-making bodies, advocates and the community to promote self-determination, consumer choice, and high quality services for people with disabilities in the most integrated, appropriate settings.
CASE SELECTION CRITERIA:
1. ULS accepts cases related to protecting the legal and human rights of individuals who reside in the District of Columbia who have disabilities that fall within the aforementioned priorities.
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 Phone
(202) 547-2662 Fax
(202) 547-2657 TTY