General Questions

Disability Rights Arkansas (DRA) is the independent, private, nonprofit, nonpartisan protection and advocacy organization authorized by Federal and State law to advocate for and protect the civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Arkansas.

We help people with disabilities. Sometimes our clients need legal advice or representation. Sometimes they need information, or referral to another agency for services. We provide information about voting rights, self-advocacy, and laws and policies that affect the lives of people with disabilities. We can intervene in cases of abuse or neglect. We monitor facilities to ensure that they are accessible, and that they are providing appropriate services.

DRA serves people with disabilities. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and may occur at any time in life.

No, all services through DRA are provided at no cost to our clients.

The DRA offices are located at 400 West Capitol Avenue, Suite #1200, Little Rock, AR 72201. We serve people with disabilities throughout the entire state of Arkansas.

Every state and U.S. territory has a protection and advocacy organization, or “P&A” for short. Each one operates with grant funding from several federal agencies. Their purpose is to advocate for and protect the civil and legal rights of people with disabilities. Learn more about the P&A System.

No, DRA is not a state agency. DRA is a private, independent, nonpartisan 501(c)3 that is separate from state government.

DRA receives funding from 9 Federal program grants, a grant from the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, private grants/sponsorships, and individual donors.

Individuals who want help from DRA should call our toll-free hotline number at 800-482-1174 or complete the online “Request Help” form. Our intake advocate will ask you some questions about you and the problems you are experiencing. From there, the advocate may give you information, brief advice and self-advocacy assistance on how to resolve it.

Or in some cases, if your case falls within DRA’s current focus areas, your case may be referred to an individual DRA advocate or attorney for possible direct intervention or representation.