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, June 12, 2013 Settlement Agreement between the USDOJ and City of New Haven    This matter was initiated by two complaints filed pursuant to title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The complaints allege, inter alia, that from at least 2008 to 2011, the City of New Haven’s Livable City Initiative which oversees and has responsibility for housing and code enforcement (also known as the “Livable City Initiative”) and the New Haven Police Department (hereinafter “NHPD”) failed to effectively communicate with people who are deaf or hard of hearing in that they failed to provide interpreters during investigations, meetings, enforcement actions, arrests, and detentions. The complaints further allege that the City has failed to establish and enforce sufficient policies and training for its personnel regarding how to obtain interpreters, when to obtain interpreters, and how to interact with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Wednesday, June 12, 2013 U.S.D.O.J. Press Release Monday, May 06, 2013 Jury Awards $240 Million for Long-Term Abuse of Workers with Intellectual Disabilities    WASHINGTON - A Davenport, Iowa jury today awarded the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) damages totaling $240 million - the largest verdict in the federal agency's history - for disability discrimination and severe abuse. Monday, April 08, 2013 DOJ announces settlements    The Justice Department announced yesterday that over the past four months it has reached five settlements to remedy alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The agreements resolve allegations that these five health care providers – including a hospital, skilled nursing facilities, a rehabilitation center, and a doctor’s office -- violated the ADA by failing to provide effective communication to people who are deaf or have hearing loss in the provision of medical services. Thursday, March 28, 2013 SEEKING: CHILDREN ON MEDICAID/HUSKY A WITH AUTISM AND IN NEED OF APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS SERVICES Tuesday, February 26, 2013 Why Do So Many Disability Groups Oppose Physician Assisted Suicide?    In 2009, a proposal that would have legalized Physician Assisted Suicide was introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly. The language of that proposal paralleled legislation being pursued in other states by Compassion and Choices, a successor organization to the Hemlock Society. When the proposal was withdrawn without a public hearing, Compassion and Choices moved to the Courts, seeking a judicial ruling that provisions of the Connecticut Statutes prohibiting assisting a person to commit suicide should not be applied to physicians who write lethal prescriptions for their patients. Their lawsuit was dismissed. Now, in 2013, it appears that another attempt to legalize Physician Assisted Suicide is being made in Connecticut. While the details of the current proposals are unavailable as of this writing, they will likely be similar to proposals that are being pursued in other states – proposals that have drawn stiff opposition from disability advocates in those states. Proponents of legalizing Physician Assisted Suicide argue that it’s all about compassion and personal autonomy. AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities and persons with disabilities.