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When you call us
The
DRC gets many calls each week from people with disabilities or their
family members, needing help for a problem related to their disability.
Here is what you can expect when you contact us for information,
advice, or legal assistance with a problem relating to your disability.
When you call the Disabilities Rights Center, you
will first speak to the receptionist. She will get contact information
from you and will schedule a telephone appointment with a member of
the intake team. This person may be able
to answer your questions immediately. She will ask you for information
about your legal problem and may ask you to send records or other information
to our office, if they are necessary to fully understand your problem.
She may refer you to other services or resources you may find helpful.
The intake team meets each week to discuss the calls
that could not be resolved in one phone call. Your case may be assigned
to one of the intake staff for follow up. You will receive a letter
letting you know who will be contacting you. That advocate will contact
you within one week to discuss your problem, obtain more information
from you, and provide you with information and advice. This follow-up
is not meant to be legal representation. It only means we will look
into the matter to see if we can assist you. 
Sometimes,
with your permission, we will be able to help you with your problem
by providing short-term or brief assistance. If we agree to provide
longer-term legal representation, you will be asked to sign a Retainer
and Fee Agreement that will explain the scope of the DRC's representation
and any fee for services. There is no charge for brief services or
information and referral. If we provide more in-depth advocacy or legal
representation, there may be a fee for our services. Please see the fee
policy for more information on our sliding fee scale.
Most calls are for information, advice, or brief assistance. Some matters are too complicated and involved to resolve in this manner. If you want legal representation in such cases, the intake team will assess your case based on the seriousness of the matter, whether it is directly related to your disability, the DRC's priorities, and the merits of your case. Given our limited resources, our legal staff cannot take all cases. If we are unable to assist you, we will attempt to refer you to other sources of legal representation.
What if you need a reasonable accommodation to access and use DRC’s advocacy and other services?
To request a reasonable accommodation from DRC or learn more about DRC’s reasonable accommodations policies, contact DRC’s Section 504/ADA compliance coordinator, Attorney Lynne Zygmont by phone at 800-834-1721, by email at lynnez@drcnh.org, or fax at 603-225-2077
Case Acceptance Guidelines can be found on page 20 of our Statement of Goals and Priorities
DRC Grievance Policy and Procedures
Last Updated: 7/22/10
