NDALC sets annual service priorities based on input from individuals with disabilities.  For a complete list of the Current Service Priorities (Fiscal Year 2009), please use the following links:     

 

             FY2009 NDALC Service Priorities:    English       Spanish edition coming soon!

 

 

Additionally, in August of every year, NDALC disseminates a Questionnaire to collect input and public comment about our current and future Service Priorities.  To receive this Questionnaire, please email your request to survey@ndalc.org.

 

Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center (NDALC)

(Nevada's Protection & Advocacy System for Individuals with Disabilities)

2009 Service Priorities

 

Key to grant programs (PA = Protection & Advocacy for)

 

PAAT: Assistive Technology                PABSS: Beneficiaries of Social Security

 

PADD: Individuals with Developmental Disabilities                 PAIMI: Individuals with Mental Illness

 

PAIR: Individual Rights                         PATBI: Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

 

PAVA: Voting Access

 

 

ABUSE AND NEGLECT

 

GOAL 1 – People with disabilities will live free from abuse and neglect. (PAIMI, PADD)

· NDALC shall conduct targeted monitoring of group home policies, procedures and operations to identify serious rights violations and deficiencies.

· NDALC shall conduct targeted monitoring of inpatient facility and residential treatment facility policies, procedures and operations to identify serious rights violations and deficiencies.

 

GOAL 2 - Incidents involving death or serious bodily injury to persons with disabilities in public and private facilities will be investigated. (ALL GRANTS)

 

ACCESS

 

GOAL - Increase access by persons with disabilities to services, programs, and facilities open to the public. (PAIR, PAVA)

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to persons with disabilities to ensure compliance with Title II and Title III of the ADA.

· NDALC will collaborate and coordinate with other disability rights organizations to ensure compliance with Title II and Title III of the ADA.

· NDALC will provide voter registration assistance/education and advocate for accessible polling places.

 

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

 

GOAL - People with disabilities will have assistive technology devices and services that they need to live independently. (PAAT)

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to individuals with disabilities to assist them with obtaining needed and appropriate assistive technology devices and services.

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to families of children with disabilities to assist them in obtaining needed and appropriate assistive technology devices and services from school districts.

 

COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

 

GOAL - People with disabilities will live in the community of their choice with the supports they need for successful integration. (PADD, PAIMI, PAIR, PATBI)

· NDALC shall evaluate mental health inpatient facility policies, procedures and practices with respect to discharge planning and identify systemic and serious problems and deficiencies.

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to individuals with disabilities to prevent unnecessary institutionalization and obtain appropriate, quality community-based services and supports.

· NDALC will monitor Olmstead implementation activities to ensure that individuals with disabilities have quality community-based services.

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to individuals with disabilities in rural communities who have been denied access to quality community-based services and supports.

 

EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES

 

GOAL – Children with developmental disabilities will obtain appropriate and timely early intervention services and transition services. (PADD)

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to children with disabilities to improve access to needed early intervention services available under Part C of IDEA.

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to children with disabilities to improve timely transition services from Part C to Part B of IDEA.

 

EDUCATION

 

GOAL 1 - Students with disabilities in Nevada will receive appropriate education services. (PADD, PAIMI)

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to students with disabilities to ensure that school districts are providing the services and supports necessary for them to be educated in the least restrictive environment.

GOAL 2 - Students will receive appropriate transition planning services from the school district. (PADD)

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to students with disabilities to assist them in obtaining adequate transition services as required under IDEA.

 

EMPLOYMENT

 

GOAL – Social Security beneficiaries will obtain or retain employment. (PABSS)

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to protect the rights of social security disability beneficiaries when there are complaints of inadequate/improper services by a service provider, employer or other entity involved in the beneficiaries’ return to work efforts.

· NDALC will collaborate and coordinate with other agencies and organizations involved with assisting social security disability beneficiaries in obtaining or maintaining employment.

 

GUARDIANSHIPS

 

GOAL – People with Disabilities will be free from unnecessary or abusive guardianships. (ALL)

· NDALC will provide direct representation, as resources permit, to advocate for removing or limiting a guardianship so individuals with disabilities who have appropriate support services available can live more independently in the community.

 

HOUSING

 

GOAL - Public and private housing entities and owners will not discriminate against people with disabilities in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). (PAIMI, PAIR)

· NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to individuals with disabilities to protect against discrimination in housing and to assist them with obtaining reasonable accommodations and/or modifications in housing.

· NDALC will collaborate and coordinate with disability and fair housing organizations to ensure that individuals with disabilities are protected against discrimination and obtain needed assistance in securing accommodations and/or modifications in housing.

 

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

 

GOAL 1 Individuals facing mental health commitment will be given due process of law. (PAIMI)

· NDALC shall conduct targeted monitoring of court proceedings involving individuals with psychiatric disabilities to identify due process violations or deficiencies.

· NDALC shall provide information, technical assistance, and advocacy including direct representation to protect the legal rights of individuals with psychiatric disabilities whose rights are being violated by entities or individuals who are providing care, treatment or services.

· NDALC shall monitor civil commitment to ensure the protection of clients’ rights.

 

INSTITUTIONS

 

GOAL - Reduce and eliminate abuse and neglect in Nevada’s’ state institutions and ensure that appropriate accommodations, access to programming, and mental health services are provided to people in these institutions. (PADD, PAIMI)

· NDALC shall provide information, technical assistance, and advocacy, including direct representation, to individuals with disabilities in institutions for the purpose of enforcing personal rights mandated by federal and state law.

· NDALC will advocate for the elimination of the use of seclusion and restraint against individuals with disabilities and will support efforts of mental health professionals to eliminate seclusion and restraint as a treatment option.

 

JUVENILE JUSTICE

 

Individuals with disabilities in the juvenile justice system will receive appropriate treatment and services. (PADD, PAIMI)

· NDALC will monitor county juvenile justice facilities and state youth correctional facilities on a regular basis.

· NDALC will communicate and collaborate with other community advocates in sharing general information about issues and advocacy strategies in the juvenile justice system.

· NDALC will provide technical assistance, but does not provide direct representation in criminal matters.

Service Priorities