Nell Coleman Retires After 19 Years
 We hate to see Nell Coleman leave; however, she retired from DRC June 27, 2008. Serving hundreds of children with disabilities and their parents as a Core Services Advocate and as an Education Advocate where she spent most her time for 19 years, Nell waited until summer to retire after her clients asked her to stay until school was out. Nell has been a bright, passionate, knowledgeable and extremely valuable asset to DRC and we will miss her smile and continuous flow of information. People like Nell, full of stamina and professionalism make advocacy services work for people who need to know the questions to ask, other resources and supports that can help, or for people who need individual representation for their child or themselves. Fighting discrimination and discriminatory practices, looking out for those who are unserved or underserved and advocating for the youngest children with the most severe disabilities and their parents were her daily routine. Nell loved to analyze special education and Section 504 problems and push for system remedies. Thank you Nell! We wish you happiness and fun with your friends and family, enjoyment of your antique business and photos, and the energy to continue addressing unfair treatment of people. Nell, we already miss you.
Public Input Notice
Disability Rights Center is now taking public input to determine the specific disability issues to be addressed, and the types of advocacy services that Disability Rights Center will provide over the coming year. To submit your comments you may complete our online form, or you may download a copy (pdf) and either fax or mail it back to DRC no later than July 11, 2008.
The DISABILITY RIGHTS CENTER (DRC) is a private non-profit agency with offices in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since 1977 the Governor of Arkansas has designated DRC the independent rights protection and advocacy system for persons with disabilities in Arkansas. DRC operates under authority outlined in Federal law and is funded primarily by the Federal government.
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To make a tax-deductible donation to the Disability Rights Center toward the $15,000 Challenge Campaign MATCH, please click the donation button below to help us raise $30,000. We would also gladly accept your check or money order mailed to DRC. Thank you!
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New! The Arkansas Waiver Association annual conference will be held August 7-8, 2008. Preconference is on August 6. Read more here.
New! River City Ministry of North Little Rock has given up on its attempts to appear on the North Little Rock City Council agenda to appeal the denial of a special use permit to operate a day resource center at it's facility on Washington Avenue in North Little Rock. [Read more...]
New! Homeless advocates in Little Rock are asking city officials to open cooling centers so that the homeless and others can get out of the heat on 90+ degree days. [Read more...]
New! The current newsletter of the Increasing Capabilities Access Network (ICAN) is now available online. Find the link on our assistive technology page.
Take a look at our new voting and disabilities commercial entitled "Make Your Vote Count!"
According to an NPR report a redesigned version of the ADA Restoration Act is on the fast track to approval in Washington.
"Green Light" Given to Voter ID Laws - The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld Indiana's controversial voter ID law, which critics say will discourage people with disabilities, the poor, the elderly and minorities from casting ballots. The law requires voters to present current government-issued photo identification. For those who cannot, it established a procedure for validating votes after an election. "This opinion will be read as a green light for the enactment of more partisan election laws in an attempt to skew outcomes in close elections," wrote Richard Hasen, a professor at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, on his widely read Election Law Blog. Hasen wrote a brief on the side of challengers to the law. To read the Courts full opinion click this link.
The April edition fo the P & A Brief is now online. It is available for download in PDF print version, and also as an MP3 audio file.
Annual update published January 23, 2008, in the Federal Register - Official Notice of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines for 2008.
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PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEMS (P&As) like DRC are established in every state and U.S. territory. We carry out activities under several federal programs to provide a range of services to advocate for and protect the rights of persons with disabilities throughout the state. To learn more about the Protection & Advocacy/Client Assistance Program system, and to locate a P&A/CAP office in any state then visit the National Disability Rights Network website.
Our Priority issue areas focus on subjects of importance to Arkansans, including:
Our Federal Programs offer a wide range of advocacy opportunities, including:
DRC Services Available
DRC makes a wide range of advocacy-related services available to our clients at no charge.
DRC Grievance Procedure
If you have a grievance with the services you receive from Disability Rights Center you have the right to resolve your complaint utilizing the grievance procedure.
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30 Years of Advocacy - 1977 to 2007 Highlights
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