-[Narrator] Just like everyone else,
people with disabilities
have families,
jobs, partners, and hobbies.
But sometimes they
still face barriers
to living their lives the
way they want to.
They face discrimination,
or their rights are violated.
And sometimes they
need help fighting back.
That’s why every
state and territory
has a Protection
& Advocacy agency
P&As are working to create a
world that everyone can be a part of,
by defending the rights
of people with disabilities.
P&As serve people of all ages,
with all kinds of disabilities
- including cognitive
disabilities,
mental health disabilities,
and all other disabilities
they’re able to provide services and
support at no charge to those they serve.
P&As advocate for
a wide range of issues
that impact people
with disabilities
including access to
medical care, employment,
voting, housing, and more.
So, what does this
advocacy look like?
A P&A might give advice
to a person with a disability
by giving them information
and directing them to
important supports and services.
Through education and training,
P&As also support
people with disabilities
and advocate for themselves
P&As also work
on a larger scale
to promote the rights and
dignity of people with disabilities.
P&As can go wherever
people with disabilities are
to make sure their
rights are being respected.
And they don’t have
to ask in advance -
so they can figure out
what’s really going on
in facilities like
psychiatric hospitals,
nursing homes and prisons.
If P&A staff find that people
with disabilities are neglected,
abused, or their rights
are not being respected,
and make sure it
doesn't happen again.
P&As can also advocate
using the legal system.
They try to resolve
disagreements through negotiations,
but sometimes
have to file lawsuits.
These lawsuits might be for
an individual with a disability,
or a group of people
with disabilities.
maybe a building does not
have an accessible entrance
and refuses to provide one,
or an employer refuses
to provide Braille materials
or an ASL interpreter
for employees.
P&As also talk
to policymakers -
the people who write laws
and rules for the community.
P&As educate them
about how their choices
can improve the lives of the
disabled community
members they serve.
Supporting self-advocates
with disabilities.
Seeking justice through
the legal system.
P&As do all this and more,
so that people with disabilities
can live the lives they want.
End of transcript.
