Federal Protection & Advocacy and Client Assistance Programs and NYS Adult Home Advocacy Program
The Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (CQCAPD) serves as New York’s designated agency to provide federally mandated, legally based advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities through management of the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Programs (CAP).
The P&A and CAP network is made of up seven specialized programs. P&A/CAP agencies have the authority to provide legal representation and other advocacy services to ensure full access to inclusive educational programs, financial entitlements, healthcare, accessible housing and productive employment opportunities. P&A/CAP agencies also monitor, investigate and attempt to remedy adverse conditions. Each program develops an annual statement of priorities based on public and program input. Click here for current P&A/CAP Priorities
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) protects and advocates for the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities under all applicable federal and state laws.
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) protects and advocates for the rights of people with mental illness and investigates reports of abuse and neglect in facilities that care for or treat individuals with mental illness.
Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) provides services to persons with disabilities who are not eligible for services under PADD, PAIMI, and CAP, thus serving persons with all types of disabilities.
Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) serves individuals with disabilities in the acquisition, utilization, or maintenance of assistive technology (AT) devices or AT services through case management, legal representation and self advocacy training.
Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI) focuses on individuals with a traumatic brain injury.
Protection & Advocacy for Voting Accessibility (PAVA) helps to ensure that individuals with disabilities participate in the electoral process as part of the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
Client Assistance Program (CAP) agencies provide information and assistance to individuals seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) services under the Rehabilitation Act, including assistance in pursuing administrative, legal and other appropriate remedies. A CAP agency may also provide assistance and advocacy with respect to services that are directly related to employment.
NYS Adult Homes Advocacy Program created and funded by the State Legislature, the Commission's adult home advocacy project has been in operation since October 1995, providing legal and non-legal advocacy services and training in residents' rights and self-advocacy to individuals with mental health disabilities residing in adult homes in New York City and Long Island.
Contract agencies include MFY Legal Services and the Coalition for Institutionalized Aged and Disabled (CIAD) which provide services in the five boroughs of New York City, and Nassau/Suffolk Law Services Committee, Inc. which provides services on Long Island. In addition to direct services, project staff work in cooperation with other advocates and service providers who work with residents of adult homes. The project has assisted residents with a wide variety of problems ranging from illegal evictions to access to personal needs funds. Advocacy activities range from assisting and supporting residents in their use of Resident Councils to address problems in their homes to representing residents in litigation.
Use the menu to the left to navigate the Protection and Advocacy programs and services