The Native American Disability Law Center: Statement of Priorities & Objectives

October 1, 2009 - September 30, 2010

Priority 1: Responsible agencies will be more responsive to investigating and protecting individuals with disabilities from abuse and neglect.

• Objective 1: Monitor the investigation by the appropriate agency of all reported incidents of abuse and neglect.
• Objective 2: Represent children in abuse & neglect cases as appointed by relevant courts.
• Objective 3: Advocate for improved statutory protections for adults with disabilities.
• Objective 4: Provide information regarding rights and services to individuals living in six institutions on the Navajo Nation by visiting them on a quarterly basis.

Priority 2: Increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities, who are receiving Social Security benefits.

• Objective 1: Increase awareness of vocational rehabilitation services by distributing informational brochures.
• Objective 2: Assist individuals with disabilities, who are currently receiving Social Security benefits, in applying for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Objective 3: Provide direct assistance to individuals with disabilities, who are currently receiving Social Security benefits, in their efforts to obtain appropriate vocational rehabilitation services.
• Objective 4: Assist individuals with disabilities, who are currently receiving Social Security benefits, and are being discriminated against in their effort to return to work.

Priority 3: Individuals with disabilities will have improved access to appropriate special education services.

• Objective 1: Provide trainings on education rights to parent support groups or parents of children with disabilities.
• Objective 2: Provide technical assistance to the parents or guardians of children with disabilities to empower them to advocate for their children to obtain and receive appropriate education services in their community and in the least restrictive environment.
• Objective 3: Provide direct representation in meetings and other informal settings for children with disabilities who are not receiving a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.
• Objective 4: Provide direct representation in administrative proceedings children with disabilities who are not receiving a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

Priority 4: Increase community awareness of the needs of Native Americans with disabilities in order to decrease discrimination and stigmatization based on disability.

• Objective 1: Advocate to increase the government's sensitivity to the needs of Native Americans with disabilities by advocating for increased access and simplified application procedures for tribal programs.
• Objective 2: Advocate to increase the government's sensitivity to the needs of Native Americans with disabilities by advocating for increased physical access to public buildings.
• Objective 3: Work with other disability advocacy organizations to address systemic discrimination toward individuals with disabilities.
• Objective 4: Provide direct representation for court-appointed individuals to obtain appropriate community-based mental health services in the least restrictive environment. 

Priority 5: Increase financial resources of individuals with disabilities.

• Objective 1: Assist individuals with disabilities with understanding and completing the application process for benefits provided by the Social Security Administration.
• Objective 2: Provide direct representation to individuals with disabilities in their efforts to obtain benefits provided by the Social Security Administration.
• Objective 3: Provide direct representation to veterans with disabilities in their efforts to obtain benefits provided by the Veterans Administration.