Services Overview
DisAbility Rights Idaho provides advocacy and legal services to people with disabilities. We do this in many ways, such as:
- Informing people with disabilities of their rights under the law
- Providing information, tools and referrals that empower people to advocate for themselves
- Assisting people in cases where an advocate or legal help may be needed
- Pursuing policy changes that benefit many people with disabilities
- Monitoring conditions in public and private facilities
DisAbility Rights Idaho receives more requests for services than we can provide. We must follow the requirements of the grants we receive. Priorities and objectives are approved by the Board of Directors on an annual basis. These priorities form the basis of our case acceptance criteria.
Please note that we cannot provide assistance in the following areas:
- Any problem not directly related to a person’s disability
- Any issue for a person who already has an attorney working on the same issue
- Criminal law
- Divorce
- Out-of-state issues
- Worker’s compensation
- General medical malpractice and personal injury
- General consumer bankruptcy issues
- Assistance finding employment, housing or financial assistance
- Anything against the wishes of the person with the disability
Who Do We Help?
You…
IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY
Over 200,000 residents of Idaho have disabilities. We can help you learn about and protect your disability-related rights. We can help you understand and assert your rights in the community or in a facility.
IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY AND WORK OR WANT TO WORK
We can help you understand how work affects Social Security benefits, what services you can get from employment agencies, and how the law protects against disability discrimination
IF YOU CARE ABOUT ISSUES AFFECTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
We address issues that affect all Idahoans with disabilities by working with state agencies and other non-profits. DisAbility Rights Idaho also works to educate state policymakers about disability-related issues in rules and legislation.
Hear Their Stories
Please apply for services to see if DisAbility Rights Idaho is able to help you.
How Do We Help?
DisAbility Rights Idaho provides the following services free of charge:
- Inform people with disabilities about their rights;
- Advocate to protect the rights of people with disabilities;
- Monitor conditions in public and private facilities;
- Investigate rights violations, abuse, neglect, or deaths in facilities;
- Outreach to underserved ethnic and disability communities;
- Represent individuals with disabilities based on priorities and case selection criteria;
- Promote public policies that improve the lives of people with disabilities;
- Educate people with disabilities, their families and representatives about self-advocacy.
DisAbility Rights Idaho always tries to resolve problems with the lowest feasible level of intervention, such as: counseling, investigation, mediation, negotiation, arbitration or administrative reviews and appeals. However, as directed by Congress, we have the capacity to provide full legal representation for our clients, including litigation, if necessary.
Priorities and Objectives
DisAbility Rights Idaho receives more requests for services than we can provide. We must follow the requirements of the grants we receive. Priorities and objectives are approved by the Board of Directors on an annual basis. These priorities form the basis of our case acceptance criteria.
See the current priorities and objectives here
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
We value and welcome your suggestions about our services and important issues we should work on to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. You can send us your comments and ideas using the form here. If you need general information about services available to people with disabilities, call the Idaho Care Line by dialing 2-1-1.
Voting
Click here to download a free PDF copy of our Polling Place Checklist.
The purpose of this checklist is to allow you to quickly determine whether a community polling place has barriers for people with disabilities on Election Day. If you identify significant barriers, we ask that you immediately contact DisAbility Rights Idaho at 208-336-5353 or toll-free at 866-262-3462. Many barriers can be easily addressed on Election Day*.
For a copy of our large print Polling Place Checklist, please click here.
For a registration form, click here.
For more information, visit the voting resource page
FAQs
Where are services provided?
Services are provided as needed throughout Idaho. DisAbility Rights Idaho’s main office is located In Boise. DRI also has a field office in Pocatello. When necessary, DRI staff will travel to the person requesting services.
How are services requested?
Clients may request assistance by contacting any DisAbility Rights Idaho office by phone, e-mail in person or by using the application for services on this website.
Is there a charge for DRI services?
DisAbility Rights Idaho’s services are provided free of any charge to eligible clients.
How are grievances with our services handled?
There is a grievance procedure in place for clients and non-clients who may have a complaint against DisAbility Rights Idaho. For more information, please contact us.