MISSION STATEMENT
Educate, advocate, investigate, and litigate to protect and advance the rights of Idahoans with disabilities.
History
Congress created a nationwide Protection and Advocacy System for People with Developmental Disabilities in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1975. Today, there is a protection and advocacy system operating in every state and territory of the United States, in Washington D.C., and for Native Americans. Congress has expanded the authority of the Protection and Advocacy Systems to serve all disabilities.
DisAbility Rights Idaho is Idaho’s designated Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities.
In 1977, Co-Ad, Inc. was established as the Protection and Advocacy System to carry out this new federal mandate in the State of Idaho. In 2009, Co-Ad, Inc., a.k.a. Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc., changed its name to DisAbility Rights Idaho.
VISION STATEMENT
An Idaho where people are empowered, voices are heard, equity is achieved, and differences are celebrated.
CORE VALUES STATEMENT
Integrity
We are accountable for our actions, accountable to clients & each other
We are bound by the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct & Rules of Civility
We are honest, truthful & transparent in our interactions
We comply with all confidentiality provisions in our grants & ethics rules
We are respectful in our interactions & act with humility
Quality
We act professionally & respectfully in our internal teams, with clients & with partners
We provide quality services for our clients. We are relentless in our pursuit of results
We are responsible for interactions inside the agency & in the community
We do the research & have expert knowledge of laws & issues that impact our clients
We are responsible for our work product
Dignity of Risk
We ask clients for what outcomes they want.
We provide for client choice/self-determination
We apply a client-driven approach to all advocacy services
We ask clients for their most preferred terms & language, & we use those terms & language in our notes & interactions
We assist persons with disabilities to access programs that they qualify for, allow them maximum independence & integration into their community of choice
Teamwork
We understand how our work fits the overall agency & team goals
We offer to help before being asked, (pitch in).
We humbly ask for help when we need it
We give 100% effort
We show up & do what we say we are going to do
We treat our co-workers with respect & honor each other’s individuality
We have a positive outlook
Inclusivity
We value diversity-honoring people’s history & experiences
We seek to eliminate cultural & linguistic biases
We are respectful of & acknowledge past trauma
We recognize intersectionality of disability, i.e., race, gender identity, culture, age, sexual identity, sexual orientation & socio-economic status
We are compassionate, empathic & nonjudgmental when working with or on behalf of people with disabilities
Who Do We Help?
Over 200,000 residents of Idaho have disabilities. DisAbility Rights Idaho receives funds solely to help people with any type of disability. We also address issues that affect all Idahoans with disabilities by working with state agencies, non-profits, and committees.
Learn more about Disability Rights Idaho’s services
Hear Their Stories
