NATIVE AMERICAN DISABILITY LAW CENTER INC

With PAIMI funding, the Law Center protects individuals with mental illness from abuse and neglect in institutions, and helps individuals with mental illness to live independently in their community. The PAIMI program is authorized by the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act.

With PAIR funding, the Law Center protects the rights of individuals who have a disability that significantly impacts a major life function and are not covered under PADD or PAIMI funding. The PAIR program is authorized by the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights section of the Rehabilitation Act.

With PABSS funding, the Law Center provides individual representation to recipients of Social Security benefits who seek vocational rehabilitation or employment support services, or who otherwise face barriers returning to work. The Law Center can give information about beneficiaries' rights under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) and about rights to support services from agencies and employers.

The Native Children’s Advocacy Program has several components. It represents the interests of Native children through direct representation in special education cases, by training parents and educators on their rights and obligations under special education laws, and by representing abused and neglected children as guardians ad litem in court proceedings. Through these efforts, the Law Center seeks to improve life outcomes for Native children with disabilities, by ensuring that they have a safe place to live and the services and supports that they need to succeed in school and become productive members of their communities.