What Is Advocacy, Incorporated?

Advocacy, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation funded by the United States Congress to protect and advocate for the legal rights of people with disabilities in Texas. It is not a part of state or local government. It has offices throughout the State of Texas, and a Board of Directors appointed mainly by disability organizations. The Board of Directors selects annual priorities which are the issues the organization will focus on that year. For more information on Advocacy, Inc. priorities and programs, contact our nearest office.

I. Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (DDP&A)

This program provides services to persons with developmental disabilities. A developmental disability is a severe and chronic mental or physical impairment that begins before the age of 22. This disability must substantially limit the person's abilities in three or more life activities, such as self-care, language, learning, mobility, self- direction, independent living, and/or economic self-sufficiency. Priorities may include: education, Medicaid issues, housing discrimination, community services, transportation, and accessible public accommodations.

II. Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Mental Illness (MIP&A)

This program can assist any person diagnosed with a mental illness who is living in a 24-hour residential facility (i.e., public or private psychiatric hospital, nursing home, board and care home) or any person with a mental illness living in the community. Priorities may include: abuse, neglect, restraint, seclusion, discharge planning, consent to treatment, and access to records within selected state hospitals and denial of access to community mental health services.

III. Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR)

This program provides services to people with disabilities who cannot be served by the other programs at Advocacy, Inc., such as people with physical disabilities who do not meet the definition of developmental disability (above). Priorities may include: violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act Amendments, and denial of access to mandated community services.

IV. Client Assistance Program (CAP)

This program can provide services to any person with a disability who wants or is receiving services from the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Texas Commission for the Blind, Centers for Independent Living, and Projects with Industries. Priorities include helping individuals with disabilities to access and benefit from rehabilitation services leading to employment, independent living, and community participation.

V. Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (TPASS)

This program provides services to SSI and SSDI recipients with disabilities who want to work, but have difficulty getting a job. This program provides information and advice about vocational and employment services, and provides advocacy assistance as needed to obtain employment.

VI. Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Program ensures the full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places. HAVA gives Advocacy, Inc. the authority to respond to instances of voter rights violations based on disabilities and inform people with disabilities about their rights relative to voting. The project will educate both individuals with disabilities and personnel connected to the voting process, such as election officials and poll workers, to ensure that every person is able to cast an independent and private ballot in every election.

All Advocacy, Inc. programs provide:

How Can I Receive Advocacy, Inc. Services?

For information or assistance about the legal rights of persons with disabilities, call the toll-free (800) number of your nearest regional office, Monday-Thursday, 8 am- 7 pm and Froday, 8 am - 5pm; or call the main office, toll-free 800-252-9108 (same hours as regional offices).

For general information, call the regular phone number of the nearest regional or main office, Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (To allow toll- free access to persons seeking information/assistance, service providers are asked to use regular office numbers.) You may also write to the nearest office.

The mission of Advocacy, Inc. is to advocate for, protect, and advance the legal, human, and service rights of people with disabilities.

Admission to or employment in any of Advocacy, Inc.'s programs or services is open to qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.