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Welcome to the internet site of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (better known as OPA or simply "P&A").  P&A is an independent State agency created to safeguard and advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut.  Part of a nationwide network of protection and advocacy systems, it operates under both State and federal legislative mandates to:

• provide information, referral, and advocacy services;
• pursue legal and administrative remedies on behalf of people with disabilities who experience disability-related discrimination;
• selectively investigate complaints from people with disabilities and into allegations of abuse and neglect with respect to adults who have mental retardation (ages 18-59), and for people in psychiatric facilities; and,
• provide public education and training on disability issues and to inform policy makers about issues affecting people with disabilities.