Videos

Protection and Advocacy (or P&A) organizations exist to ensure the safety, well-being, and success of people with disabilities. But how exactly do they do that?

People with disabilities face a lot of barriers. Whether it's because places we want to go aren't accessible, we can't get the resources or technology we need, our rights are not being respected, we know what we need and want better than anyone else. So it's important to let people know what our needs are. That's called self-advocacy!

For people with disabilities, employment can mean greater economic self-sufficiency, an opportunity to use their skills, and more active participation in community life.

For generations, many people with disabilities with mental health conditions were sent to live in large institutions instead of getting support in their own communities. Some were locked away for years, or even for life, and many faced neglect, abuse, and the loss of basic rights.

As a voter with a disability, you have the right to a full and equal opportunity to vote, to vote privately and independently, and to use accessible poll sites, voter registration systems, vote-by-mail balloting & other ballot-casting devices.

For decades, Medicaid mostly paid for care inside institutions. Waivers changed that by letting states use Medicaid money to offer help at home and in the community, such as personal care, job support, and day programs. But these waivers often come with limits, like waiting lists and caps on how many people they can serve.

People with disabilities are more vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters and pandemics, as many have fragile health situations, receive school-based supports and services, depend on direct care staff for support with activities of daily living, and live in congregate settings where the risk of exposure is greater.

For videos that don’t fit in a category above: guardianship, housing, representative payees, service animals, and more.