Advocacy

Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD)

The PADD program was created by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights (DD) Act of 1975. PADD was established to protect the legal and civil rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)

The PAIMI program was established by Congress in 1986 and receives funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The purpose of the PAIMI program is to protect and advocate for the rights of persons with mental illness and investigate reports of abuse and neglect.

Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR)

The PAIR program was established by Congress as a national program under the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1993. PAIR programs were established to protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of persons with disabilities who are not eligible to be served in the PAIMI or PADD programs.

The Client Assistance Program (CAP)

CAP was established as a mandatory program by the 1984 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act. CAP advocates for and protects the rights of individuals with disabilities who are seeking or receiving rehabilitation services.

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI)

PATBI is a federally funded program authorized by the Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 and its reauthorization as part of the Children's Health Act of 2000. The PATBI program ensures that individuals with TBI and their families have access to: information, referrals and advice; individual and family advocacy; legal representation; and specific assistance in self-advocacy.

Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT)

The PAAT program provides legal and non-legal advocacy services for individuals with disabilities who are denied access to assistive technology devices and/or assistive technology services.

Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA)

The PAVA program ensures that every qualified person with a disability has the opportunity to vote on Election Day.

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)

The PABSS program is a federally funded program that was established under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Act of 1999. The Act authorizes the Social Security Administration (SSA) to fund each state's protection and advocacy system to provide work incentive assistance to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries seeking vocational rehabilitation, employment and other support services to secure, retain or regain employment.

Other State Programs

If you need assistance and you are located outside of New York State
Find the Protection & Advocacy or Client Assistance Program in your State