Protection
&
Advocacy,
Inc.
Advancing the Human
Rights of Californians with Disabilities.
What
is PAI?
Protection and Advocacy, Inc., (PAI) is a nonprofit agency
that works with people with disabilities to protect, advocate for and advance
their human and legal rights. PAI strives to create a barrier free, inclusive
society that values diversity and each individual.
PAI began protecting the rights of Californians with
disabilities in 1978. We now provide advocacy services to people with disabilities
under seven federal statutes and two state contracts.
What
does PAI do?
PAI provides advocacy services for people with disabilities. PAI
may:
Represent people with disabilities in administrative and judicial proceedings to uphold and enforce their legal, civil and service rights.
Bring impact litigation and act as amicus curiae when a case affects the rights of people with disabilities.
Investigate complaints of serious physical and sexual abuse, and of neglect-related death in institutions.
Tell people with disabilities about their legal, civil and service rights, and about ways to enforce those rights.
Refer people to other sources of help.
Provide technical support and training for people with disabilities, their families and advocates, as they resolve individual problems and problems that relate to service systems.
Provide peer/self-advocacy services.
Reach out to underserved communities.
Provide patients'
rights advocacy at the four state psychiatric hospitals and technical assistance
and training for county advocates under a contract with the State Department of
Mental Health.
Provide clients'
rights advocacy for people with developmental disabilities who are regional
center consumers under a contract with the State Department of Developmental
Services.
How
will PAI decide whether to represent me?
In deciding whether PAI can represent you directly, PAI will
consider:
The merits of your claim;
Your ability to advocate for yourself;
Other advocacy sources you could use;
Whether your problem falls within one of PAI's priority areas; and
Availability of PAI resources.
What
problems can PAI help me with?
If you have a disability and qualify for services, PAI can
help you with problems like:
Rights to basic
support, personal care, therapy and health care like Supplemental Security
Income (SSI), In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Medi-Cal, and California
Childrens Services (
Discrimination in housing, transportation, employment, and access to public and private programs and services.
Abuse, neglect, and rights violations in an institution.
Least restrictive environment, dignity, privacy, choice, and other basic rights.
Special education
rights.
Mental health and support services that provide individualized treatment.
Regional center eligibility and services that promote independence such as supported living and family supports.
Access to technology like communication devices and power wheelchairs.
Who
can get PAI services?
You could be eligible for PAI services if:
You have a developmental disability.
You are a regional center consumer.
You have a psychiatric disability or emotional impairment.
You are a patient in a state psychiatric hospital.
You have a physical, learning or sensory disability defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
You have a
traumatic brain injury.
You need access to new technology that you believe may help you live a fuller, more independent life.
You receive SSI or SSDI and need help with employment issues or keeping your benefits when you return to work.
You have questions about your right to vote.
Does
PAI charge a fee for services?
PAI does not charge fees for services. But, we do accept tax-deductible donations to help cover the costs of providing services. Your donation will support advocacy services that PAI could not otherwise provide. We deeply appreciate your donation in any amount.
I
want to join in partnership with PAI to advocate for the rights of people with
disabilities.
□ Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation
in the amount of $_______.
□ Please add my name to your mailing list.
□ Please send me periodic email updates.
□ Please send me a copy of PAIs advocacy services plan and priorities so I can provide comments.
□ I would like to volunteer; please call me at ( ) ___________
Name:_________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________
City___________________________________________________
State:________________________________ Zip:______________
Email:_____________________________ Phone: (____ )_________
How
can I find out more about PAI's advocacy work ?
Ask PAI to add your name to our mailing list, or visit our
web site at www.pai-ca.org.
Where
can I get PAIs Services?
To ask for PAI services anywhere in
Toll Free All PAI Regional Offices1-800-776-5746 |
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Bay Area Regional Office1-800-649-0154 (TTY) |
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Office of Patients Rights 916-575-1610 (Voice) |
Office of Clients Rights Advocacy 1-800-390-7032 (Voice) 1-877-669-6023 (TTY) 916-575-1615 (Voice) |
Administrative Office916-488-9955 |
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PAI Web Site |
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... the Nations
proper goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure equality of
opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic
self-sufficiency ...
The
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
5008.01 English
Revised March 2006