Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania

About DRN

MISSION STATEMENT:The mission of the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania is to advance, protect, and advocate for the human, civil, and legal rights of Pennsylvanians with disabilities.

VISION STATEMENT: The Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania's vision is that all Pennsylvanians with disabilities are empowered with opportunities and choices, are valued members of their communities fully included in all aspects of community life having access to quality education, employment opportunities, and housing options living free from abuse, neglect and discrimination.

Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania (DRN) is a statewide, non–profit corporation designated as the federally–mandated organization to advance and protect the civil rights of adults and children with disabilities. DRN works with people with disabilities and their families to ensure their rights to live in their communities with the services they need, to receive a full and inclusive education, to live free of discrimination, abuse and neglect, and to have control and self–determination over their services. More »

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DISCLAIMER: Materials found on this website have been prepared for informational purposes only and are not to be considered legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon information found on this site without seeking professional counsel.

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Announcements

Important Decision on Medical Care and People with Disabilities.

On August 17, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an important ruling to assure that individuals with disabilities are not denied necessary life-preserving medical treatment. A copy of the Supreme Court's decision is available to read here.

DRN Settles Lawsuit Against DPW

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania on behalf of over 60 Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities who were being inappropriately housed in state psychiatric hospitals. For more information and to read the press release, click here.

Lawsuit Filed by DRN Against Pennsylvania State Police for Excluding Qualified Candidates with Hearing Aids.

On June 16, 2010, DRN filed a complaint against the Pennsylvania State Police for excluding qualified candidates with hearing aids. Click here to read the full complaint.

Read DRN Lawsuit and Press Release Filed 4/29/10 on Behalf of Deaf Persons

On April 29, 2010, DRN filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of deaf persons in the Consolidated Waiver to address DPW's failure to provide for effective communication in the provision of mental retardation services.

Click here to review the complaint. Click here to review the press release.

Read DRN Brief in Denial of Treatment Case

DRN recently filed an amicus brief with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on behalf of DRN and six other disability advocacy groups. The issue in the case is whether a guardian of a life-long incapacitated person may withhold consent to life-preserving treatment when the person is not in an end-of-life situation.

To read the brief in its entirety, click here to view the Word version and click here to view the brief in PDF.

New From the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania

A series of podcasts on issues of importance and interest to persons with disabilities and their families. For more information, click here.