Disability Rights Michigan – Lansing, MI

Protecting and Advocating for Rights in Michigan

Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) is the independent, private, non-profit protection and advocacy organization for the state of Michigan. Headquartered in Lansing, DRM is authorized by federal and state law to advocate for and protect the legal rights of people with disabilities. The organization employs a team of attorneys and advocates who work tirelessly to ensure that individuals with disabilities can live with dignity, self-determination, and equality.

Legal Representation and Advocacy

While DRM is a non-profit organization, it functions as a critical legal resource, providing direct representation in selected cases that meet its agency priorities. The legal team focuses on systemic issues and individual cases that have the potential to set precedents or significantly improve the lives of the disability community. Key areas of focus include:

• Employment Discrimination: Fighting against workplace discrimination and ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to remove barriers to employment.
• Education Advocacy: Representing students with disabilities to ensure they receive the free and appropriate public education (FAPE) guaranteed by law, including special education services.
• Abuse and Neglect: Investigating reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in institutions and community settings, and taking legal action to protect victims.
• Access and Accommodation: Advocating for physical and digital accessibility in public accommodations, government services, and housing.
• Voting Rights: Ensuring that individuals with disabilities have full access to the democratic process.

Systemic Impact

Beyond individual representation, Disability Rights Michigan engages in systemic advocacy to effect broad change. This includes monitoring legislation, providing training to the community, and collaborating with other organizations to advance public policy. DRM’s attorneys are experts in disability law and are dedicated to eliminating the systemic causes of poverty and exclusion for the people they serve.

Community Resources

DRM also serves as a vital information hub, offering referrals and self-advocacy resources to help individuals understand and assert their rights. The organization operates with a deep commitment to the principle that disability rights are human rights, and it stands as a powerful ally for one of Michigan’s most diverse communities.