Disability Rights

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.

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

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

• Disability legal advocacy
• Protection and advocacy services
• Special education advocacy
• Disability rights nonprofit
• Benefits counseling services

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCECD 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 BureauminorOthersPartnership 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 CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered 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./COVAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVA 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 CincinnaticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 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 AdministrationcoreOthersFunded 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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/DisabilityRtsOH
• Facebookfacebook.com/DisabilityRightsOhio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/disability-rights-ohio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Disability Rights