{P & A Citizenship Justice Belonging}

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, the Office 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;  investigate allegations of abuse and neglect that arise in specific service settings or that affect individuals with particular disabilities; and,  provide education, information and training on disability rights to policy makers, advocacy groups and members of the public.   How can P & A help me?    Latest News Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Study Finds Medical Procedures Violating the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities    Washington, DC – In a first of its kind study, the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) determined that performing certain medical procedures or withholding life sustaining treatment in non-terminal situations without judicial review violates the civil rights of people with disabilities. Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Health Care Providers Settle with Justice Department Over Complaints of HIV Discrimination    The Justice Department announced that it has reached two settlements today resolving claims that health care providers refused to serve people with HIV in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Friday, April 13, 2012 Improve Public Access for Persons with Disabilities    Please sign this petition in support of a Concurrent Resolution now in the 112 Congress. H. CON. RES 91 and S. CON. RES.33 No person should be denied access to public services or programs. "Install power doors and ramps so that wheelchair users and others can get in!" Monday, February 27, 2012 P&A 2011 Annual Report    Members of the Board and staff of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities are pleased to be able to provide this report on our activities during 2011. In addition to affording a glimpse of the agency’s safeguarding and advocacy operation over the past year, we have tried to capture some of the civil and human rights issues that have impacted people with disabilities and commanded our attention. Thursday, February 23, 2012 We Need You!    The Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Program of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities is seeking new members for its PAIMI Advisory Council.