Disability Rights North Carolina

What Disability Rights North Carolina does

Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the sole federally designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for the state of North Carolina, mandated by federal law to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Headquartered in Raleigh, NC with 11-50 employees and led by CEO Virginia Knowlton Marcus, DRNC provides free legal advocacy, representation, investigations, monitoring of facilities, public policy advocacy, and education/training services to nearly 3 million North Carolinians with disabilities. The organization is a member of the National Disability Rights Network and operates across multiple verticals including housing, education, employment, voting access, criminal legal rights, child welfare, and disaster recovery. In FY2024-2025, DRNC processed 3,222 service requests, distributed 3,165 advocacy resources, and provided education/trainings to 2,188 people.

Name

Disability Rights North Carolina

Legal name

Disability Rights North Carolina

Website

https://disabilityrightsnc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Disability Rights North Carolina is the federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency providing free legal representation, advocacy, and education to approximately 3 million North Carolinians with disabilities across housing, education, employment, criminal justice, and civil rights verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Legal Advocacy Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Faculty/Staff Training & Accessibility Awareness Programs (EDALAGAI)

Keywords

• Disability legal advocacy
• Protection and advocacy
• Civil rights representation
• Disability rights education
• Facility monitoring services

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: DRNC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 56-1243369) that accepts charitable donations from individuals and organizations.
2. Federal Government Grants: DRNC receives partial funding from federal authorities including: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Community Living (ACL), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Education/Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), and U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Disability Rights North Carolina is the federally designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for North Carolina, providing free legal advocacy, representation, and civil rights protection to NC residents with disabilities. Its offerings include legal help through an online intake process, a searchable self-help resources library, education and training programs, public policy advocacy, and investigations/monitoring of facilities serving people with disabilities.

Product overview

Disability Rights North Carolina is a legal advocacy nonprofit organization that provides free legal services and advocacy for people with disabilities in North Carolina. The organization operates as the federally designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for the state. Services include legal representation, a self-help resources library, online intake application for legal help, and education/training programs. The organization focuses on multiple advocacy areas including housing rights, education rights, employment rights, criminal legal issues, home and community-based services, voting access, and disaster recovery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Legal Advocacy and Representation Services Free legal help and advocacy for North Carolina residents with disabilities, including legal representation, advice, and representation in cases involving civil rights violations such as housing, education, employment, healthcare, community access, and voting.
• Self-Help Resources Library Searchable library of attorney-created resources covering disability rights topics including housing, education, employment, healthcare, abuse and neglect reporting, immigration, voting, and community supports. Includes printable brochures, multilingual materials, and FAQs.
• Online Intake Application for Legal Help Web-based intake form that North Carolina residents with disabilities can use to request legal assistance from DRNC attorneys, available 24/7 through the organization's website.
• Education and Training Programs Training sessions, community presentations, and educational materials on disability rights issues delivered to individuals, families, students, and professionals across North Carolina.
• Investigations and Monitoring Services Statutory investigations and monitoring of facilities serving people with disabilities in North Carolina, including psychiatric residential treatment facilities, prisons, jails, and other institutional settings, with authority to report abuse and neglect.
• Public Policy Advocacy Advocacy for state and federal legislation, regulations, and policies that advance the rights of people with disabilities, including campaigns such as End Solitary NC and Medicaid Matters.
• SSA Benefits Representative Payee Program Representative Payee services for Social Security Administration benefits, helping SSA beneficiaries with disabilities manage their monthly benefits.
• TBI - NC BRAINS Initiative Advocacy, resources, and support services for North Carolinians living with traumatic brain injury, delivered through the NC Brain Injury Advisory Council collaboration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,222 requests for services, 3,165 advocacy resources distributed, 2,188 people received education/trainings (FY 2024-2025)

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Disability Rights NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRNC is a member of the National Disability Rights Network, the nonprofit membership organization for the country's Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies. This network provides support, resources, and coordination among P&A agencies nationwide.
• Children's RightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organization serving as co-counsel in Timothy B. et al. v. Kody Kinsley federal lawsuit on behalf of children with disabilities in NC foster care warehoused in psychiatric institutions.
• North Carolina Chapter NAACP State Conference (NC NAACP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizational plaintiff and co-counsel in Timothy B. litigation, representing the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown children in NC's child welfare system.
• Moore & Van Allen, PLLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro bono co-counsel in Timothy B. litigation. Law firm with nearly 400 attorneys providing sophisticated legal services; founded in 1945.
• Unlock the Box Campaign / National Religious Campaign Against TorturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRNC's End Solitary NC project is part of the national Unlock the Box campaign against solitary confinement, supported by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, a coalition working to end solitary confinement nationwide.
• Vital StrategiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConsulting partner providing support to NC Sheriffs for implementing MOUD programs in detention facilities. Consultant Elijah Bazemore worked in Durham Sheriff's Office for 30+ years and helps other NC sheriffs implement MOUD.
• NC DHHS State Opioid Treatment Authority (SOTA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerState agency providing information and resources on OUD and MOUD programs for NC communities. SOTA coordinates opioid treatment programs across North Carolina.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Disability Rights New York: New York's federally designated P&A system providing legal representation and advocacy on disability rights; directly comparable mission, federal funding streams, and litigation practice to DRNC.
• Disability Rights Texas: Texas's state-designated P&A agency offering legal advocacy and representation on disability rights; operates the same federally mandated model as DRNC with comparable service mix and federal funding sources.
• Disability Rights California: California's federally designated P&A agency and NDRN member, providing free legal advocacy on disability rights; directly comparable as the largest state P&A with similar mandate, funding model, and litigation posture to DRNC.
• Disability Rights Florida: Florida's designated P&A agency offering free legal advocacy for people with disabilities; close functional peer to DRNC with same federal mandate, intake model, and impact reporting structure.
• Disability Rights Washington: Washington state's P&A agency providing legal advocacy and representation on disability rights; mirrors DRNC's mandate, funding profile, and core legal services portfolio.
• Disability Rights Advocates: National nonprofit disability rights legal center pursuing high-impact impact litigation and policy advocacy; comparable to DRNC's litigation-driven approach (e.g., Timothy B.) but operates without state P&A designation.

Emerging players

• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: National legal advocacy organization focused on mental disability rights through litigation and policy reform; comparable to DRNC's criminal-legal and institutional advocacy work but operates at the federal level without state designation.
• National Health Law Program: National legal advocacy organization protecting health care access for low-income and underserved populations; comparable to DRNC's Medicaid Matters campaign and SSA benefits work, though not a P&A agency.
• Center for Public Representation: National disability rights legal organization pursuing systemic litigation on behalf of people with disabilities; comparable in litigation strategy and systemic-reform focus to DRNC's Timothy B. class action posture.

Others

• National Disability Rights Network: Umbrella membership organization of the nation's P&A agencies including DRNC; provides coordination, training, and federal advocacy support, making it an ecosystem/strategic peer rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/disabilityrightsnc
• Facebookfacebook.com/DisabilityRightsNC
• Instagraminstagram.com/disabilityrightsnc
• Xx.com/disabilityrtsnc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/disability-rights-north-carolina

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Disability Rights North Carolina