Disability Rights
Disability Rights Ohio is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization serving as Ohio's designated Protection and Advocacy system, providing free legal representation, rights protection, and resource support to Ohioans with disabilities across issues including abuse, neglect, special education, housing, employment, and voting.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Disability Rights does
Disability Rights Ohio (legal entity: Ohio Disability Rights Law and Policy Center, Inc.) is a private nonprofit corporation headquartered in Columbus, Ohio that has served as Ohio's designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP) since October 2012. The organization provides legal advocacy and rights protection to people with disabilities across the state, with a portfolio of services covering abuse and neglect, discrimination, assistive technology access, special education, housing, employment, community integration, voting rights, and mental health services. Its primary constituency is Ohioans with disabilities, with secondary segments including family members, children with disabilities, and individuals with mental illness served through the PAIMI program. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors primarily composed of people with disabilities and family members, reflecting a constituent-led governance model.
The organization does not develop or sell technology products. Its "products" are a portfolio of resource centers, multilingual publications, and programs — including the Self-Advocacy Resource Center, COVID-19 Resource Center, Public Policy Resource Center, WIPA benefits counseling program, Rise Up Youth Advocacy Guide, and topic-specific tip sheets — delivered through its website, phone intake (614-466-7264 / 800-282-9181), in-person services at its Columbus headquarters, online intake forms, and community outreach events. Resources are available in English, Spanish, Somali, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Nepali, Ukrainian, and American Sign Language (ASL), with ASL video content produced in partnership with the Deaf Services Center under an Ohio State Bar Foundation grant.
Disability Rights Ohio is funded primarily through federal and state grants as Ohio's P&A system, supplemented by donations and contributions from foundations such as The Columbus Foundation, Mabel and Vernon Watts Educational Foundation, and Alfred L. Willson Charitable Funds. Direct client legal services are provided free of charge; the organization also generates modest earned revenue through speaker fees for outreach events ($250–$500 virtual, $500–$1,500 in-person, with waivers available). Distribution is exclusively domestic and single-state (Ohio), with no indication of geographic expansion beyond state borders.
Disability Rights firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Disability Rights
- Legal name
- Ohio Disability Rights Law and Policy Center, Inc.
- Website
- https://disabilityrightsohio.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Disability Rights Ohio is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization serving as Ohio's designated Protection and Advocacy system, providing free legal representation, rights protection, and resource support to Ohioans with disabilities across issues including abuse, neglect, special education, housing, employment, and voting.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Disability Rights industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Rights Legal Advocacy
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Human Rights Organizations (813311)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)
Keywords
Where Disability Rights is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Disability Rights business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Federal and State Grant Funding: As Ohio's Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP), Disability Rights Ohio is funded through federal grants. They operate as a nonprofit corporation governed by a Board of Directors primarily consisting of people with disabilities and family members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free legal advocacy services for eligible clients |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Disability Rights product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Disability Rights Ohio provides free legal advocacy and rights protection services to Ohioans with disabilities, including legal representation, information and referral, and systemic advocacy. As the state's designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP), it addresses issues of abuse, neglect, discrimination, assistive technology access, special education, housing, employment, community integration, voting, and mental health rights. The organization supplements direct advocacy with multilingual resource centers, advocacy tip sheets, and the federally funded WIPA benefits counseling program.
Product overview
Disability Rights Ohio is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that operates as Ohio's Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP). Rather than a unified software product, it offers a portfolio of resource centers and programs including the Self-Advocacy Resource Center, COVID-19 Resource Center, Public Policy Resource Center, and the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program. These resources are delivered through publications, tip sheets, multilingual guides (English, Spanish, Somali, ASL videos), and advocacy support across areas including special education, mental health, Medicaid, housing, and community integration. The organization also provides the Youth Advocacy Guide (Rise Up) for young people transitioning to adulthood.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Legal Advocacy and Representation Services Free legal representation, information, referral, and systemic advocacy for Ohioans with disabilities facing abuse, neglect, discrimination, barriers to assistive technology, special education disputes, housing issues, employment discrimination, community integration obstacles, voting rights violations, and mental health rights concerns.
- Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program Free benefits counseling service funded by the Social Security Administration that helps Social Security disability beneficiaries in Ohio understand work incentives, plan transitions to employment, and maintain healthcare coverage while working. Delivered through partner organizations including Southeast Inc./COVA and Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati.
- Self-Advocacy Resource Center Comprehensive resource center providing self-advocacy materials, tip sheets, and guides to help people with disabilities navigate various systems and assert their rights independently.
- Special Education Resources and Advocacy Resources focused on special education rights including FAQs about COVID-19 and special education, Extended School Year (ESY) services, compensatory education, IEP guidance, and school accommodations support for children with disabilities in Ohio.
- Mental Health Resources and PAIMI Advocacy Resources about mental health rights, civil commitment, residential treatment facilities, and recovery support for children and adults seeking mental health services in Ohio. Operates as Ohio's Protection and Advocacy System for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) guided by the PAIMI Advisory Council.
- Medicaid Resources and Appeals Support Information about Ohio's Medicaid program, managed care system, appeals process, waiver programs, and eligibility for people with disabilities.
- Community Integration Resources Resources focused on helping people with disabilities live and integrate in their communities, including information about the Ball v. DeWine class action lawsuit and community-based services.
- COVID-19 Resource Center Dedicated resource center providing information and guidance related to COVID-19 for people with disabilities, including healthcare rights, education FAQs, and general pandemic-related resources.
- Public Policy Resource Center Resources focused on public policy advocacy, helping constituents understand and engage in the legislative process affecting disability rights in Ohio.
- Rise Up Youth Advocacy Guide
- Resources in American Sign Language (ASL)
- Resources in Spanish Spanish-language versions of advocacy resources, tip sheets, grievance policy, special education guides, and information about disability rights in Ohio.
- Resources in Somali Somali-language versions of advocacy tip sheets and resources for Somali-speaking individuals with disabilities, including special education processes, IEP/504 plan implementation, and school dispute resolution.
- Advocacy Tip Sheets Educational tip sheets covering topics such as obtaining special education, following IEP/504 plans, requesting additional services, understanding FAPE, and navigating disputes. Available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
- Outreach Events and Speaker Presentations Community outreach events including presentations about Disability Rights Ohio, specific disability rights topics, event tabling, and panel discussions. Speaker fees range from $250-500 for virtual events and $500-1,500 for in-person events, with fee waivers available. Prioritizes advocacy organizations led by people with disabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Provided legal advocacy and rights protection to Ohioans with disabilities across multiple issue areas including abuse, neglect, discrimination, special education, housing, and employment
Companies that use Disability Rights
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Disability Rights technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Disability Rights partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)coreOCECD assists parents with information and referral for special education issues. Contact: 125 Executive Drive, Suite 200, Marion, OH 43302. Phone: 844-382-5452. Maintains regional offices throughout the state.
- U.S. Census BureauminorPartnership to promote Census participation among people with disabilities. DRO provides resources about Census accessibility including large-print guides, braille guides, ASL videos, and TTY phone support (844-467-2020).
- Deaf Services CentercorePartnered to create ASL videos of DRO resources. Created through grant funding from the Ohio State Bar Foundation. Videos cover topics including Who We Are, Our Vision, How We Help, Contact Us, Donate, Grievance Policy, and various rights information.
- Southeast Inc./COVAcoreCOVA provides WIPA (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance) services for Ohio counties including Ashland, Athens, Belmont, Franklin, and many others. Contact: 3770 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43214. Phone: (614) 294-7117.
- Legal Aid Society of Greater CincinnaticoreProvides WIPA services for southwestern Ohio counties including Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and others. Contact: 215 East Ninth Street, Suite 200, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Phone: 513-241-9400 or 800-582-2682.
- Social Security AdministrationcoreFunded through Social Security Administration cooperative agreement for WIPA (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance) Program providing benefits counseling to people receiving Social Security disability benefits.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Disability Rights competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Arc of the United States: The largest national disability advocacy organization, with state and local chapters serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps with DRO on special education, community integration, and family support, though it is broader in mission and not a P&A.
- Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: A national legal advocacy organization focused on mental health disability rights — directly comparable to DRO's PAIMI work. Although federally focused rather than state-delivered, it overlaps in legal strategy, systemic litigation, and federal policy advocacy.
- American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD): A national cross-disability advocacy organization focused on policy, civic engagement, and disability employment. Comparable to DRO on voter access, employment, and broad disability rights advocacy, though it does not provide direct legal services.
Direct peers
- Disability Rights Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania's P&A system offering legal advocacy across disability, mental health, and special education issues. Closely matches Disability Rights Ohio in mid-sized state scope and program mix.
- Disability Rights California: California's designated P&A and CAP system — the largest state P&A in the U.S. Operates the same federal mandate model with a similar mix of legal advocacy, systemic reform, and benefits counseling programs as Disability Rights Ohio.
- National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): The federally mandated member association for the P&A/CAP system, of which Disability Rights Ohio is a member. NDRN provides training, federal lobbying, and coordination across the 57 state and territorial P&As, making it the closest umbrella peer.
- Disability Rights Advocates: A national nonprofit disability rights legal center that pursues high-impact impact litigation and policy advocacy. Comparable to DRO's systemic advocacy function, though it operates nationally and is not a state-designated P&A.
- Disability Rights Wisconsin: Wisconsin's designated P&A and CAP system. Comparable staffing scale, federal grant mix, and constituent-driven advocacy model focused on abuse/neglect, special education, and community integration.
- Disability Rights New York: New York's designated P&A system providing legal advocacy and rights protection to people with disabilities. Comparable scope of services (special education, housing, employment, benefits) and federal funding structure.
- Center for Public Representation: A national disability rights legal advocacy center specializing in systemic litigation on community integration, Olmstead enforcement, and special education — closely aligned with DRO's systemic advocacy practice.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Disability Rights social profiles
Digital presenceDisability Rights financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Disability Rights leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Disability Rights funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Disability Rights M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Disability Rights
What does Disability Rights do?
Disability Rights Ohio provides free legal advocacy and rights protection services to Ohioans with disabilities, including legal representation, information and referral, and systemic advocacy. As the state's designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP), it addresses issues of abuse, neglect, discrimination, assistive technology access, special education, housing, employment, community integration, voting, and mental health rights. The organization supplements direct advocacy with multilingual resource centers, advocacy tip sheets, and the federally funded WIPA benefits counseling program.
Is Disability Rights a public or private company?
Disability Rights is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Disability Rights founded?
Disability Rights was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Disability Rights based?
Disability Rights is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Disability Rights make money?
One revenue line is on record: federal and State Grant Funding.
Who are Disability Rights's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Arc of the United States, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Direct peers are Disability Rights Pennsylvania, Disability Rights California, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Disability Rights Advocates, Disability Rights Wisconsin, Disability Rights New York and Center for Public Representation.
Does Disability Rights have an API?
No public API is recorded for Disability Rights.
What industry is Disability Rights in?
Disability Rights's product category is Disability Rights Legal Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAF, Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy, with a secondary code of BPAGAFAB, Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8111.