- Individuals with disabilities will not be subjected to restraint or seclusion.
- Individuals with disabilities will not be subject to abuse or neglect, including inappropriate or coercive treatments.
Mission, Vision, and Values
DRM Mission:
The mission of Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) is to advocate and protect the legal rights of people with disabilities.
DRM Vision:
To be the premier civil rights organization in the state and nation.
DRM Values:
Choice, commitment, creativity, diversity, empowerment, equality/equity, integrity, and quality.
Commitment to Equity and Diversity
DRM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, political belief, creed, national origin, marital status, or disability.
DRM celebrates diversity and strives to reflect Michigan’s ethnic, language, disability and geographic diversity in our staff and the people we serve. Our advocacy efforts will engage and empower traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities.
DRM believes the disability rights movement is inseparable from the human rights movements for racial, economic, and gender equity. We renew our commitment to dismantle racism, ableism, sexism, and bigotry in all their forms, by looking within, through our client work, and in our pursuit of institutional and cultural change.
Current Focus Areas
Each year DRM identifies areas of focus to guide deployment of our limited advocacy resources. DRM’s board approves these areas of focus in September after considering community input, including the nature of information and referral requests, the results of DRM public issue surveys, input from DRM staff, focus groups conducted by DRM, or other advocacy organizations, and state and national research on emerging issues.
Please help us create advocacy services that better serve the disability community by completing our survey.
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Eliminate abuse and neglect
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Increase the protection of voting rights and the rights of individuals with representative payees.
- Individuals with disabilities will exercise their voting rights.
- Representative payees identified by the Social Security Administration will be reviewed for compliance with federal requirements.
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Increase access to integrated, competitive employment.
- Improve access and rights to services within vocational rehabilitation and centers for independent living.
- Individuals with disabilities will have employment options in the competitive and integrated workforce.
- Individuals with disabilities will have access to Social Security work incentives.
- Transition needs from post education to integrated, community employment will be identified and addressed.
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Improve access to services.
- Individuals with disabilities will be assured services and supports that support them in the community and prevent institutionalization or segregation.
- Individuals with disabilities in institutional/facility/service provider settings will have access to services and supports that promote discharge and community inclusion.
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Ensure the right to a high-quality education.
- Students with disability-related behavior will be identified and evaluated for special education.
- Eligible students at risk of discipline or push-out due to disability-related behavior will remain in school.
- Students with behavioral needs will have access to individualized positive behavior supports administered by adequately trained personnel.
- Students with disabilities will have access to all educational rights while receiving instruction in whatever manner school is provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Students with disabilities will have access to all educational rights while receiving instruction in whatever manner school is provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Makes Us Unique
DRM is a federally-mandated, independent, statewide organization. We are:
- Driven by the expressed wishes of the people we serve.
- Authorized to pursue legal remedies, on behalf of our clients and in our own name, to achieve individual and systemic change.
- Empowered through access authority to identify and address abuse and neglect in facilities.
Learn About P & A
Disability Rights Michigan was formerly known as Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc. (MPAS). DRM is part of the protection and advocacy (P&A) network and is the P&A agency for Michigan. There is a P&A agency, even if it goes by a different name, in every state and territory.
Funding
We’re committed to transparency in the funding we receive and how resources are utilized.
94%
Federal appropriations and grants
5%
State of Michigan appropriations and grants
1%
Other
How Can We Help?
Contact Us Anytime
We want to hear from you! Whether you're looking for advocacy, have a question, or just want to connect, please reach out.