DRAFT
Statement of Priorities & Objectives
October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
Native American Disability Law Center (Law Center) is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to Native Americans with disabilities. Every year the Law Center reviews its Statement of Objectives and Priorities to insure that we are best serving the needs of our client community. We are seeking public comment before or by October 15, 2022. You can comment by calling us at 1-800-862-7271 or by emailing us at Thank you for your interest and support for the Law Center.
A - Intake & Outreach
Goal: Efficiently provide timely services to new clients & increase awareness of the Law Center’s services through community & media-based outreach, providing training & information.
Objective 1: Access to Available Benefits. Assist seniors and individuals with disabilities receive appropriate services by helping them access programs that help pay for healthcare, food and energy, for which they are eligible.
Objective 2: Promoting Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Increase awareness of vocational rehabilitation services through:
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developing public awareness program and materials; and
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directly contacting vocational rehabilitation programs, transition specialists, and other service providers to ensure awareness of the Law Center’s programs and services.
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Objective 3: Promote Self-Advocacy & Understanding of Rights. The Law Center will participate in local, regional & national conferences & training events to increase:
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the understanding of Native Americans with disabilities & their families of their rights to services, supports, & employment;
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the ability of Native Americans with disabilities & their families to advocate for their needs & services; &
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the understanding of the issues facing Native Americans with disabilities.
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B - Children’s Education & Safety
Goal: All Native American children in the Four Corners region will have access to appropriate education & services designed to keep them safe & meet their unique needs in the least restrictive environment.
Objective 1: Represent Abused and Neglected Children. Represent Native American children as Guardian Ad Litem or Youth Attorney in child abuse & neglect cases in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation through court appointments.
Objective 2: Promote Self-Advocacy. Provide technical assistance to families of twenty-five (25) students with disabilities to empower them to advocate for their children to obtain appropriate education and related services in the least restrictive environment in their community.
Objective 3: Direct Representation. Provide direct representation in meetings, informal settings, and/or administrative proceedings to twenty (20) children with disabilities who are not receiving a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, with priority given to students who have not been properly evaluated for special education services.
Objective 4: Systemic Advocacy. Through systemic complaints, ensure that the federal & state education systems meet the educational needs of Native American students with disabilities enrolled in their schools by addressing the general education, special education, mental health, and wellness needs of students, including those impacted by trauma and adversity.
C - Community Integration
Goal: Native Americans with disabilities will be free from abuse and neglect, whether they live in the community, residential facilities or correctional institutions, and receive appropriate supports & services to enable them to live in the most integrated, least restrictive settings appropriate to their choices and needs.
Objective 1: Monitoring Facilities and Services. Monitor facilities and institutions at least quarterly for instances of abuse and neglect, distributing educational materials, and providing advocacy services for individuals who are allegedly being abused or neglected.
Objective 2: Protection for Beneficiaries of Social Security. Monitor benefit use by those with Representative Payees to ensure that benefits are used to support beneficiaries.
Objective 3: Promote Community Access. Provide direct assistance to individuals with disabilities in their efforts to obtain appropriate community services, such as housing, voting, vocational rehabilitation services or address employment discrimination.
Objective 4: Advocate for Improved Access to Public Buildings and Services.
Through systemic advocacy, increase access to public buildings and services for all individuals with disabilities.