Disability Rights Montana

What Disability Rights Montana does

Disability Rights Montana (DRM) is a federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at 1022 Chestnut Street in Helena, Montana. Founded in 1977 following the 1975 Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the organization provides free legal advocacy and representation to people with disabilities across the state, operating under statutory authority to investigate abuse and neglect in facilities and to pursue systemic litigation. Its service portfolio spans core legal advocacy and representation, the Self Advocacy Leadership Network for people with developmental disabilities, the Collective Disruption statewide coalition and advocacy training series, the Growth Rings podcast and Substack newsletter, and topical resources covering education, employment, voting rights, housing, and mental health services.

DRM's core 'products' are legal services and advocacy outputs rather than technology products — there is no proprietary platform, software, or AI/ML capability disclosed. Programmatic offerings include class action litigation (notably the 2025 Age 21 special education settlement that extended services from age 18 to age 22 under IDEA), voting rights protection (Joshua Cypher v. Hofland preliminary injunction), and the Crip Camp/MT Summer Tour 2026 reaching 12 Montana communities. Co-counsel relationships with the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center and Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky LLP extend litigation capacity beyond the core team.

The business model is grant-funded nonprofit operations. Revenue is sourced from federal P&A program grants (PADD, PAIMI, CAP, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, PAVA) administered by ACL/HHS, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, SAMHSA, and the Social Security Administration, supplemented by the Montana Justice Foundation and individual donations. All client-facing services are provided at no cost. Distribution is direct from the Helena office via phone, TTY, email, in-person meetings, and community outreach, with no traditional commercial go-to-market motion.

Name

Disability Rights Montana

Legal name

Disability Rights Montana

Website

https://disabilityrightsmt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Disability Rights Montana is a federally mandated Protection and Advocacy nonprofit, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Helena, that provides free legal advocacy, class action litigation, and systemic representation to people with disabilities across Montana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Rights Legal Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

Keywords

• Disability legal advocacy
• Protection and advocacy
• Civil rights representation
• Special education advocacy
• Disability rights services

Headquarters

HQ city

Helena

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, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal P&A Funding: Disability Rights Montana is a federally mandated Protection and Advocacy system funded through federal grants including PADD, PAIMI, CAP, PAIR, PAAT, PATBI, PABSS, and PAVA programs. Additional funding comes from the Montana Justice Foundation and individual donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Disability Rights Montana provides free, no-cost legal advocacy and representation to people with disabilities throughout Montana. As the state's federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system, it conducts individual and class-action litigation, investigates abuse and neglect in facilities, and engages in systemic advocacy to protect civil rights in education, employment, housing, voting, mental health, and community integration.

Product overview

Disability Rights Montana is a federally mandated protection and advocacy (P&A) system offering a unified suite of advocacy services for people with disabilities. The organization provides free legal advocacy and representation, self-advocacy leadership programs, disability rights training through the Collective Disruption coalition, the Growth Rings podcast/newsletter for community updates, and specialized resources for education, employment, voting rights, and housing. Services include class action litigation, individual legal representation, community education, self-advocacy group support, and legislative advocacy—all focused on protecting civil rights and promoting inclusion of disabled Montanans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Collective Disruption: A statewide disability rights coalition and movement led by disabled Montanans and disability-led organizations, focused on leadership and civic engagement.

Products and services

• Legal Advocacy and Representation Services Free legal advocacy and representation for people with disabilities in Montana, including litigation, investigation of abuse and neglect, and systemic advocacy to protect civil rights in education, employment, housing, voting, and healthcare.
• Self Advocacy Leadership Network

Quantifiable outcome

• Montana schools must now provide special education services until age 22, transforming education for hundreds of students with disabilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit membership organization for federally mandated P&A Systems. DRM participates in national advocacy efforts and receives guidance. NDRN issued press releases supporting DRM's work including the Supreme Court case A.J.T. v. Osseo Public Schools protecting ADA rights of students with disabilities.
• Montana Centers for Independent LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of consumer-driven, non-residential, private nonprofit organizations providing peer-delivered services. Includes Summit Independent Living, Ability Montana, and LIFTT. Partner in advocacy coalition including press conferences and Section 504 defense efforts.
• The Barbara McDowell Social Justice CentermajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNational co-counsel in the Age 21 Class Action lawsuit. Contributed litigation expertise to achieve systemic change allowing Montana students with disabilities to receive services until age 22.
• Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky LLPmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNational litigation law firm serving as co-counsel in Age 21 Class Action lawsuit. Firm has offices in California, Texas, and Puerto Rico and handles complex legal claims.
• Gerald Hartman (Individual Attorney)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-counsel from Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center working on Age 21 Class Action lawsuit representing Montana students with disabilities.
• James D. Jenkins (Individual Attorney)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRichmond, VA attorney serving as co-counsel in Age 21 Class Action lawsuit.
• Montana Developmental Disabilities CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Self Advocacy Leadership Network helping rebuild self-advocacy groups for people with developmental disabilities across Montana.
• Rural Institute at University of MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Self Advocacy Leadership Network. Organization focused on inclusive communities working with DRM to support leaders with developmental disabilities.
• Catalyst (Legislative Advocacy Partner)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosting Disability Advocacy in the Capitol training sessions to help Montanans engage with the legislative process.
• National Federation of the Blind of MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy partner in Section 504 defense efforts. Expressed grave concerns about lawsuit that would strip fundamental rights from thousands of Montana children and adults.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): National membership organization for the federally mandated P&A and Client Assistance Program (CAP) systems. DRM is a member; NDRN provides national advocacy, training, and litigation support that scales DRM's reach beyond Montana.
• The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable as a broad disability advocacy peer, though The Arc focuses more on services and family support than direct legal representation.

Regional players

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Montana: Montana affiliate of the ACLU providing broader civil rights legal advocacy. Comparable as a regional legal advocacy nonprofit that occasionally litigates disability rights cases, but does not focus exclusively on disability.

Direct peers

• Disability Rights Texas: Texas's state P&A system delivering free legal advocacy and rights protection to Texans with disabilities. Directly comparable peer in service model, funding structure, and advocacy scope.
• Disability Rights Washington: Washington state's federally mandated P&A system offering free legal advocacy, class action litigation, and disability rights representation. Closely comparable in mission, federal funding model, and service portfolio to Disability Rights Montana.
• Equip for Equality: Illinois's federally mandated P&A system. Directly comparable state P&A providing legal advocacy, systemic litigation, and self-advocacy support to people with disabilities in Illinois.
• Disability Rights Florida: Florida's designated P&A system providing legal advocacy, investigation, and rights protection to Floridians with disabilities. Closely comparable state P&A peer with parallel federal mandate and service structure.
• Disability Rights New York: New York's state P&A system providing legal advocacy, civil rights protection, and disability rights litigation. Directly comparable federally-mandated nonprofit peer operating in the same regulatory framework.
• Disability Rights California: California's federally mandated P&A system. Directly comparable as a state P&A providing free legal advocacy and civil rights representation to people with disabilities, with similar funding structure (federal P&A grants) and advocacy service mix.
• Disability Rights Advocates: National nonprofit disability rights legal center specializing in impact litigation and civil rights advocacy for people with disabilities. Comparable in legal advocacy model and class action focus, though operating nationally rather than as a single state P&A.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLAq_QOmHi24Pk9d_FJ-CGK2HomvuX5xgO
• Facebookfacebook.com/DisabilityRightsMT
• Instagraminstagram.com/disabilityrightsmt
• Xx.com/drightsmt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Montana