Arizona Center for Disability Law

“A copy will be distributed to the entire board of directors prior to being filed with the Internal Revenue Service.”

“A conflict-of-interest policy and an updated vendor listing are distributed and signed annually.”

“Compensation comparison of other Protection and Advocacy agencies with review of other non-profit Executive Director salaries in Arizona.”

“Compensation comparison of other Protection and Advocacy agencies with review of other non-profit salaries for key employees in Arizona.”

“DRAZs Form 990 is readily available on Guidestar, or upon request.”

“DRAZ makes its governing documents, conflict-of-interest policy and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“Statement of Program Accomplishments:This fiscal year we served 369 clients in PADD providing protection and advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities. The two largest areas of our legal work advocate for access to special education and healthcare. Additionally, DRAZ performs monitoring and investigation work to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities are free from abuse & neglect.Our PAIMI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness) program served 357 clients. Our legal and advocacy work focuses on access to mental healthcare, monitoring and investigations of allegations of abuse/neglect, and protecting individuals civil rights under disability laws. PABRP is our Protection & Advocacy Beneficiary Rep Payee Program that conducts all periodic onsite reviews along with additional discretionary reviews. 60 Payee interviews and 266 beneficiary, 3rd party and legal guardian interviews were completed. In addition, DRAZ conducts educational visits and conducts reviews based on allegations they receive of payee misconduct.The Client Assistance Program (CAP) included assistance (administrative, legal and other remedies) to 71 Vocational Rehabilitation clients, as funded under the Department of Educations 1984 Amendment to the Rehabilitation Act Services. CAP staff help people with disabilities to understand and exercise their rights as a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) applicant or client. CAP Staff have assisted individuals who are denied the right to apply or reapply for VR services; found ineligible for services; services have been denied, delayed, reduced or stopped; and/or not allowed to apply for Post-employment Services.PAIR, our Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights program, served 316 clients. This program focuses on remedying employment, housing discrimination, and access to healthcare services. PAIR has been funded by the Rehabilitation Service Administration through the Department of Education.The PAVA (Protection & Advocacy for Voting Access) program includes voter registration outreach, voter education (2 videos were produced in Spanish, American Sign Language and closed caption). DRAZ hosted local training and conferences reaching 2,271 participants. One conference included a presentation by the Arizona Secretary of State. We also staff a voting hotline on election days to address accessibility concerns. Additionally, we assisted 3 individuals to strengthen the electoral process in their community. We also provided voting information to over 835 individuals for registering and accessing their right to vote. The Maricopa County Elections Dept reported that it received over 600 requests for voting assistance in the 2024 General Election compared to prior year requests of 300. Our work with 57 PATBI clients provided protection & advocacy services to individuals with traumatic brain injury. We are focused on providing more self advocacy and legal resources to address the unique needs of these clients, helping resolve conflicts in the areas of housing, employment, and public accommodations.The Ticket to Work & Work Incentive Improvement Act in 1999 created the Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS). In FY2024, we served 75 clients with a focus to advocate for them to secure or regain gainful employment.In FY2024, 72 PAAT clients received services through our Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology work. Clients are assisted in resolving assistive technology issues in healthcare, employment, and housing. Clients have received legal representation, self-advocacy information, and training. The focus of the program is to assist individuals with the acquisition, use and maintenance of their assistive technology.Our African American Conference on Disabilities (AADC) hosted the 2024 Conference on Disabilities on June 28, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix. The conference is the premiere comprehensive disability conference in the Un”