The Mission of The Protection and Advocacy program at University Legal Services (“ULS”) is to ensure that people with 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 these rights imply.

OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES:

I. To advocate for the successful inclusion of Individuals with traumatic brain injury in community life:
A. Pursue legal advocacy to ensure that individuals with traumatic brain injury receive
reasonable accommodations which will allow them to access existing programs and
services offered by housing providers and government agencies;

B. Survey DC nursing homes to identify the number of individuals with traumatic brain
injuries in these institutions in order to advocate for their discharge to appropriate
community settings with services and supports appropriate to their needs;

C. Advocate for the discharge of individual with traumatic brain injury from institutions
to appropriate community settings with appropriate services and supports.

II. To investigate or resolve allegations of abuse or neglect against individuals with traumatic brain injury:

A. Investigate abuse or neglect complaints of individuals with traumatic brain injury in
institutions and community settings.

III. To educate individuals with traumatic brain injury and service providers in nursing homes and hospitals about the availability of and how to access existing community based services and supports.

A. Investigate additional services and supports currently available to individuals with
disabilities and integrate them into our current training and informational materials;

B. Provide training and informational materials to individuals in institutions about
alternatives to institutionalization.

III. To promote expansion and responsiveness of the TBI service delivery systems through educating community leaders about the benefits of a TBI waiver.

A. Advocate with the Department of Health Care Finance, Department of Mental
Health and Department on Disability Services to develop services in the most
integrated setting for individuals with traumatic brain injury.

CASE SELECTION CRITERIA:
1. Cases related to the protection of the legal and human rights of individuals with
traumatic brain Injury which fall within the aforementioned objectives; 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, DC 20002
(202) 547-0198 Phone
(202) 547-2662 Fax
(202) 547-2657 TTY