Disability Rights Florida (DRF) is a federally mandated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) organization, which means we are authorized and funded by several government agencies to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. Those agencies include:

  • Administration for Children and Families,
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
  • Rehabilitation Services Administration,
  • Health Resources and Services Administration, and
  • Social Security Administration.

DRF is also a part of the nationally designated Protection & Advocacy System, National Disability Rights Network. Collectively, the P&A/CAP (Client Protection Program) Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.

The following list of federal formula grants and the statutory authority for each grant makes up a significant portion of funding for Disability Rights Florida. We also receive private grants and contributions from individuals.

Client Assistance Program (CAP)

Authorized in the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. §732, Pub. L. No. 105-220

  • established as a mandatory program by the 1984 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act
  • services include assistance in pursuing administrative, legal, and other appropriate remedies to ensure the protection of persons receiving or seeking services under the Rehabilitation Act
  • administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education

Visit our Client Assistance Program page for more information.

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD)

Authorized in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. §15001, Pub. L. No. 106-402

  • created by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights (DD) Act of 1975
  • requires P&As to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies under all applicable federal and state laws to protect and advocate for the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities
  • administered by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities of the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)

Authorized in the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act, 42 U.S.C. §10801-10807, Pub. L. No. 106-310

  • established by the PAIMI Act of 1986, agencies mandated to
    • protect and advocate for the rights of people with mental illness; and
    • investigate abuse and neglect in facilities that care for or treat individuals with mental illness
  • administered by the Center for Mental Health Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR)

Authorized in the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. §794e, Pub. L. No. 106-402

  • established by Congress as a national program under the Rehabilitation Act in 1993
  • established to protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of persons not covered by other programs – such as those with visual or hearing impairments or those with physical disabilities acquired as an adult
  • administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education

Protection and Advocacy for [Individuals in Need of] Assistive Technology (PAAT)

Authorized in the Assistive Technology Act, 29 U.S.C. §3004, Pub. L. No. 105-394

  • created in 1994 when Congress expanded the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act)
  • established to “assist individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives in accessing technology devices and assistive technology services” through case management, legal representation, and self-advocacy training
  • administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education

Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)

Authorized in the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, 42 U.S.C. §1320b-21, P.L. 106-170

  • created by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999
  • established to assist social security beneficiaries with disabilities in obtaining information and advice about receiving vocational rehabilitation and employment services; and to provide advocacy or other related services that beneficiaries may need to secure or regain gainful employment
  • administered by the Social Security Administration

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI)

Authorized in the Children's Health Act of 2000, 42 U.S.C. §300d-53, Pub. L. No. 106-310

  • created by the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act authorized as part of the Children’s Health Act of 2000
  • provides advocacy services, information and referral, and self-advocacy training to individuals who face a loss of legal rights as a direct result of TBI; and works to increase and improve systems of support for people impacted by TBI
  • administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA)

Authorized in the Help America Vote Act of 2002, 42 U.S.C. §15461-15462, Pub. L. No. 107-252

  • created in 2002 when Congress enacted the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
  • P&As seek to secure election access for a wide range of individuals with disabilities – including, but not limited to, individuals with mental, sensory, and physical disabilities – pursuant to Congress’ broad mandate to “ensure the full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places”
  • administered by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities of the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries with Representative Payees (SPSSBA)

Authorized in the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018, Public Law No. 115-165

  • created in 2018 as part of the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act.
  • allows P&A systems to conduct onsite reviews of payees, as well as submit annual reports to the Social Security Administration (SSA)
  • allows beneficiaries to designate a representative payee in advance and takes steps to reduce the administrative burden for representative payees who are the beneficiary's parent living in the same household or their spouse, rather than a third-party payee

Disaster Assistance for State Protection & Advocacy Systems Program (PADA)

Authorized in the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund (P.L. 117-2) and awards authorized under Subtitles B and C of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 USC 15001)

  • Provides funding for disaster recovery efforts in Florida and Puerto Rico to address the needs of people with disabilities impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian.

Expanding the Public Health Workforce within the Disability Networks: Protection and Advocacy Systems (PAPH)

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is Section 2501 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. P.L. 117-2 and P.L. 116-131. 

  • Provides funding to help cover the costs of staff to conduct crucial public health activities.

USAging Sub-Grantee

COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine uptake initiative for older adults and people with disabilities authorized through the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL).

  • Expands the scope of vaccination access in communities through sub-awardees’ sponsorship of vaccination clinics and other events across the country focused on underserved populations and disadvantaged communities.
  • Conduct a national education and outreach vaccination campaign targeted to older adults and people with disabilities, with a specific focus on diverse and underserved populations
  • Develop and information and technical assistance online resource hub.

REV UP Voting Outreach Grant through American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

  • Advance the Disability Vote in the state of Florida