Disability Rights Arkansas Inc

PADD serves individuals with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and neurological impairments. A developmental disability is a mental or physical impairment beginning before the age of 22, which is likely to continue indefinitely, limits certain major life activities and reflects a need for special care, treatment and/or individualized planning. See the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, 42 U.S.C. § 15001, et seq.

PAVA educates and assists individuals with disabilities so they may enjoy full participation in the electoral process. These efforts include ensuring physical accessibility of polling places and informing individuals about the rights of voters with disabilities. See the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access program of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, 42 U.S.C. § 15461-15462.

PAIMI serves individuals with a diagnosis of serious mental illness. PAIMI prioritizes services to individuals receiving care and treatment in a facility and has a mandate to investigate complaints of neglect and abuse. See the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 10801 et seq.

CAP assists individuals with disabilities who have questions or have encountered problems while receiving or applying for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services from state VR agencies. CAP also advocates for those who receive services from Independent Living Centers (ILCs), The Division of Services for the Blind (DSB), and for those applying for or receiving services from Tribal VR offices. See the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title I, Part B, Sec. 112, 29 U.S.C. § 732.

PATBI serves individuals diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). PATBI works to ensure that individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their families have access to information, referrals and advice, individual and family advocacy services, legal representation, and
support and assistance with self-advocacy. See the Traumatic Brain Injury Act, authorized as part of the Children’s Health Act of 2000, 42 U.S.C. § 300d-53.

PAAT serves individuals with disabilities with issues related to assistive technology devices and services. This includes investigating the denial of, and negotiating access to, assistive technology devices and services, as well as educational outreach efforts. See the Assistive Technology Act of 2004, 29 U.S.C. § 3004.

PABSS serves individuals with disabilities who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplementary Security Income (SSI) and who are trying to return to work, obtain employment, or receive certain employment-related training and services. PABBS educates beneficiaries about Social Security’s work incentives and provides vocational rehabilitation and employment services advice. Additionally, PABSS assists beneficiaries with understanding their rights regarding representative payees. See the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 1320b-21.

SPSSB, also known as the Representative Payee program, serves individuals with disabilities whose social security benefits are managed by a representative payee. DRA coordinates with the Social Security Administration to conduct periodic onsite reviews as well as additional discretionary reviews to determine whether a representative payee is carrying out their duties in keeping a beneficiary safe and ensuring their needs are being met.

The purpose of the project is to build a strong network of self-advocates.