People with disabilities have the right to be free from abuse and neglect and from unnecessary restraint and seclusion.
Issue Areas
Access and Accommodation
DRC-NH helps individuals with disabilities resolve a wide range of accessibility and accommodation issues including access to physical structures, access to communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and protections for individuals who have service animals.
Assistive Technology
We help individuals identify and acquire technology necessary to help students access their curriculum, assist individuals who want to work become employable and successful in the job market, and help people with disabilities enjoy life and stay engaged with their communities.
Children’s Issues
There are a variety of federal and state laws that provide rights and protections for children with disabilities. We help children facing various issues related to their disability including special education, reasonable accommodations and modifications, restraint and seclusion, bullying, and protections for children who are involved courts. We also help on issues related to Medicaid and access to healthcare.
Developmental Disabilities
Adults and children with a developmental disability may be entitled to receive a variety of services. We are committed to ensuring access to appropriate services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Employment
People with disabilities have the right to competitive, integrated employment free from discrimination.
Guardianship & Less Restrictive Alternatives
We work to end the overuse and abuse of substituted decision-making, including guardianship.
Housing
The law protects against discrimination in housing based on disability.
Medicaid and Healthcare
Medicaid is the largest source of federally-supported healthcare coverage for low-income families and children. The Medicaid program covers a broad scope of heathcare treatment and services.
Mental Health
We work to increase empowerment and choice for individuals with mental health issues and to improve the adequacy of adult and children’s mental health services in schools and in the community.
Monitoring and Investigations
We have authority to access facilities where people with disabilities live or receive services. We use this access authority to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect and to monitor the rights and safety of people with disabilities.
Policy and Legislation
We monitor legislative activities that impact the lives of people with disabilities and provide information about the anticipated effects of proposed legislation.
Representative Payee
Through this program, we help ensure certain social security beneficiaries are protected from financial exploitation and other abuses, and ensure that funds are being used appropriately and in the best interest of the beneficiary.
Traumatic Brain Injury
We provide information, advice, and legal representation to individuals who have been discriminated against due to their disability.
Voting
All Americans are entitled to exercise their right to vote. We work to educate NH residents with disabilities about voting rights and responsibilities.