The Disability Law Center (DLC) is the Protection and Advocacy agency for Massachusetts. DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. DLC receives federal, state and private funding but is not part of the state or federal government.
Our Mission is to provide legal advocacy on disability issues that promote the fundamental rights of all people with disabilities to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life of Massachusetts. We operate under the following Principles of Advocacy:
- Independence – To have control
- Productivity – To work or make other contributions to a household or community
- Integration – Right to the same opportunities, services, community resources as all other Americans
- Inclusion – To fully participate, be welcome in social educational, work and community life
Our Protection & Advocacy Agency Access Authority
DLC is the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for Massachusetts. The P&A system is a national network of disability rights agencies investigating abuse and neglect and providing legal representation and other advocacy services to people with disabilities. To aid P&A Agencies in fulfilling their mandate, Congress gave them extensive access authority.