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About Us

Disability Rights Arizona (DRAZ) is a non-profit public interest law firm and the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for the State of Arizona. Our mission is to protect the legal rights of children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. We envision a society where people with disabilities enjoy full acceptance without barriers. To that end, we provide free legal services, advocacy, and resources to adults and children with disabilities in Arizona who face legal problems related to their disability.

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Two lawyers, one using a motorized wheelchair, review legal documents on their laptops outside

Disability Rights Arizona (DRAZ) is a non-profit public interest law firm and the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for the State of Arizona. Our mission is to protect the legal rights of children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. We envision a society where people with disabilities enjoy full acceptance without barriers. To that end, we provide free legal services, advocacy, and resources to adults and children with disabilities in Arizona who face legal problems related to their disability.

What is Disability Rights Arizona?

Founded in 1978, Disability Rights Arizona (DRAZ) is the sole entity in Arizona offering free legal representation and advocacy within disability rights. We were established as a response to the isolation and mistreatment of people with disabilities in institutions, and following the passage of the Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act in 1975, which established the National P&A system.

We offer critical legal and advocacy services across a broad spectrum of needs, with areas of focus developed annually based on input from people with disabilities, their family members within Arizona. These areas of focus Include:

  • Abuse and Neglect
  • Discrimination in Employment, Fair Housing, and Public Access
  • Disputes related to Special Education, Access to Health Care, and Access to Mental Health Care
  • Securing services to Assistive Technology, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Transportation
  • Protecting Voting Right

Disability Rights Arizona receives Federal and State funding to administer a number of programs dedicated to protecting the rights of people with disabilities. These programs include:

Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)

DRAZ’s Mental Health Team advocates for the rights of people with serious mental illness to receive appropriate mental health care. We believe that all people with serious mental health needs deserve access to whatever resources they need to live their fullest lives. DRAZ advocates for both children and adults with serious mental health needs living in the community, and people residing in treatment facilities. See the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 10801 et seq.

DRAZ is committed to protecting the civil and legal rights of adults and children with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and neurological impairments. We also work with partner organizations on outreach and education concerning supported decision-making and alternatives to guardianship in Arizona. This ensures that people with developmental disabilities have access to the least restrictive support options necessary for a life of self-determination. See the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, 42 U.S.C. § 15001, et seq.

DRAZ actively works to ensure that people with disabilities in Arizona can achieve their employment goals through the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. DRAZ advocates help people resolve disputes with the Arizona VR Program. Disputes are typically related to eligibility, appropriate employment goals, denial or delay of necessary vocational services, and case closure. We provide technical assistance, direct representation, and engage in systemic advocacy to address these conflicts. See the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title I, Part B, Sec. 112, 29 U.S.C. § 732.

DRAZ is committed to serving and advocating for as many children and adults with disabilities as possible through our various protection and advocacy programs. PAIR serves individuals with disabilities who do not qualify for our mental health or our development disabilities programs. It is not limited to individuals with a specific disability or addressing a particular issue. See the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights Program of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 794e.

DRAZ is committed to ensuring that children and adults with disabilities can get access to critically needed assistive technology (AT) in all aspects of their lives. We provide both individual representation and systemic advocacy to overcome barriers to AT access, regardless of the setting—at school, home, work, or in the community. Whether challenging a denial by a school district or a state agency, our goal is to secure the technology that enables maximum independence and full participation in society. See the Assistive Technology Act of 2004, 29 U.S.C. § 3004.

DRAZ actively works to assist Social Security beneficiaries to achieve employment goals and establish financial independence. This program helps people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to disability, and can provide legal support, and self-advocacy resources to assist in resolving employment-related concerns, including access to vocational rehabilitation, education, transportation, and necessary accommodations. See the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 1320b-21.

DRAZ is committed to ensuring that people with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and their family members are educated about their rights, can access self-advocacy information, and are empowered to enforce those rights. Our specialized TBI work leverages accessible technology and direct legal support to meet this goal. See the Traumatic Brain Injury Act, authorized as part of the Children’s Health Act of 2000, 42 U.S.C. § 300d-53.

Our Voting Rights project works with all of Arizona’s election officials, secretary of state’s office, governor, election directors, and recorders in each county to ensure that voters with disabilities in Arizona have full access to the electoral process. Our goal is to influence proactive enforcement. DRAZ works to ensure that access and capacity to vote is made for people with disabilities well in advance of election time to minimize disenfranchisement during the actual election. See the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access program of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, 42 U.S.C. § 15461-15462.

DRAZ’s Representative Payee reviews, serves individuals with disabilities, have representative payees, or require assistance managing their Social Security Benefits. DRAZ coordinates with the Social Security Administration to conduct periodic onsite reviews  and works to ensure Representative Payees have the necessary tools and information to be as effective in their roles as possible. See the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018, 42 U.S.C. § 405(j).

The COMIT program requires the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to contract with DRAZ for the implementation of the COMIT program, responsible for the monitoring of group homes that serve members with complex needs (diagnosed with both developmental disabilities and psychiatric disorders) and investigating quality of care complaints for members residing in these group homes. House Bill 2865 (HB2865) was signed into law by the Governor on June 28, 2022, amending the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) to include A RS Title 36-595.03.

Our Mission

DRAZ is a non-profit law firm that assists Arizonans with disabilities to promote and protect their legal rights to independence, justice, and equality.

Our legal work is impactful. Our team of attorneys and advocates possesses deep expertise in federal and state disability rights laws, allowing us to not only fight on behalf of people with disabilities but also to empower them to become effective self-advocates. Examples of Services Provided include:

  • Providing resources for people with disabilities to advocate for their own rights.
  • Providing referrals to outside organizations, when appropriate.
  • Advocating for people and representing them when rights are violated.
  • Investigating complaints of abuse and neglect.
  • Filing lawsuits on behalf of people or groups to remedy systemic issues.
  • Educating lawmakers about proposed laws affecting disability rights.

Our Vision

A society where people with disabilities enjoy full acceptance without barriers.

Our Staff

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Board of Directors

Who does Disability Rights Arizona help?

People with Disabilities.

Our services are available at no cost to people with disabilities, including physical, mental, psychiatric, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, and developmental disabilities. If you call DRAZ requesting help, we will ask you about your disability in order to best meet your needs and because of our funding requirements.

DRAZ fights for the rights of people with disabilities, and does not handle general legal problems encountered by all people whether they have disabilities or not, such as probate of an estate, obtaining a divorce, or filing for bankruptcy.

Although we listen to the needs of the public when developing our yearly priorities, demand for DRAZ services far exceeds our resources. You can learn more about our current areas of focus here.

In order to help as many people as possible, or as a result of limited resources, DRAZ may refer your case to an outside organization.

If another organization can handle the matter, or the claim has limited merit given the time and resources needed to resolve it, DRAZ may be unable to take on the case.

DRAZ offers a number of resources that can help you advocate for your civil rights.

If a person meets these guidelines, assistance is provided based on the availability of staff and resources.

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DRAZ’s Grievance Policy

If you need to file a grievance with DRA, please download a copy of our Grievance Policy below and follow the instructions.

DRAZ’s Grievance Policy
DRAZ’s Grievance Policy – Spanish

Find Resources or Apply for Assistance

We are committed in providing accurate disability-related legal information and advice to more individuals who need our services and assistance. In addition to limited legal representation, our goal is to provide efficient, streamlined services to educate people with disabilities and their family members on how to enforce their legal rights through self advocacy.

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Join us on March 6th for Renaldo’s 41 for 41 Retirement Celebration

We invite you to be part of this moment by making a “41 for $41” gift to Disability Rights Arizona. Tickets to the March 6 celebration are $41, symbolizing Renaldo’s 41 years of service.

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