- Individuals with disabilities will not be subjected to abuse, neglect, inappropriate or coercive treatment, or restraint or seclusion.
- Individuals with disabilities living in treatment facilities will have use and protection of their rights, including timely discharge rights and access to assistive technology.
- Incarcerated individuals with disabilities will be free from abuse, neglect, inappropriate treatment, and disability-based discrimination.
Mission, Vision, and Values
DRM Mission:
Empowering all to uphold the rights of people with disabilities.
DRM Vision:
DRM envisions a world where human rights are protected, and
differences are celebrated.
DRM Values:
We believe
In ensuring services are accessible to all (ACCESS).
That people have the right to make their
own decisions. (CHOICE).
In respecting and honoring all cultures (CULTURE).
In uplifting and celebrating diversity (DIVERSITY).
In moving toward fairness for all (EQUITY).
In serving our clients with honesty and
transparency (INTEGRITY).
In striving to eliminate systemic injustice (JUSTICE).
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, the rights of individuals with representative payees, and access to COVID recovery efforts.
- Individuals with disabilities will exercise their voting rights.
- Representative payees identified by the Social Security Administration will be reviewed for compliance with federal requirements.
- Individuals with disabilities, their family members, and caregivers will have equitable access to vaccines.
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Increase access to competitive, integrated employment.
- Individuals with disabilities will have access to services within vocational rehabilitation (VR) 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.
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Improve access to services.
- Individuals with disabilities will be assured services to support them in the community and prevent institutionalization or segregation.
- Individuals with disabilities will not be subjected to unwarranted or unnecessarily restrictive guardianships.
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Ensure the right to a high-quality education.
- The Michigan Department of Education will exercise effective general supervision over special education services.
- Students with disabilities at risk of push-out due to disability-related behavior will be identified, evaluated, and provided with special education supports to remain in school and make appropriate progress.
- Students with disabilities living in facilities or in foster care will receive appropriate educational services to meet their needs.
- Individuals with disabilities will have access to transition services to prepare for competitive, integrated employment.
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.