Resources for Disability Rights in Colorado
Knowing your disability rights in Colorado and where to turn when you need legal help is essential for all people with disabilities in the Centennial State. It’s also essential to familiarize yourself with key disability rights laws that apply across the United States.
Colorado is home to several organizations that offer specialized legal assistance for disabled people. This is in addition to the many organizations that work to address needs that are associated with specific disabilities.
Where to Get Legal Assistance in Colorado
If you are a disabled person yourself or are a family member or caregiver of somebody with disabilities, you may be able to find professionals who can advocate for you in the following organizations as well as in other charities for disabled adults around the state.
Colorado Legal Services
CLS provides free legal assistance to those who meet their financial eligibility criteria. This organization has offices in Denver, Colorado, and 12 other locations. They can help with subjects related to:
Housing law
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other state benefits
Civil problems and the defense of civil rights
CLS helps low-income families and senior citizens. Applicants for legal aid will be prioritized based on their eligibility and needs.
Disability Law Colorado
Disability Law Colorado (formerly The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People) offers free or low-cost legal services to people with disabilities who feel their human rights have been violated. They provide a protection and advocacy system for vulnerable citizens in Colorado. Depending on the nature of your claim, you may be offered:
Information or referrals
Self-advocacy assistance
Limited advocacy
Direct legal representation
DLC is the Protection & Advocacy System for the state of Colorado and is therefore mandated to seek feedback and input from the community to set its priorities, creating a system that best fits the community it serves.
Key Disability Rights Laws
Though there are many different laws related to disabilities, these two are of special interest due to their wide-reaching implications:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public spaces, transport, and telecommunications. The ADA sets out legislation to protect disabled people in the workplace and to create fairer and more equal conditions for disabled people.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA)
The FHA prohibits housing discrimination based on disability and requires owners to make reasonable exceptions such as allowing service animals or making allowances for mobility devices in rented homes to give disabled tenants equal access to housing. Around one in four older adults and 7-12% of youth and younger adults in the U.S. have a disability. Protecting their right to fair access to housing through the FHA must therefore be considered of utmost importance.
Know Your Disability Rights in Colorado
When you feel you may need professional legal help to protect your disability rights, knowing who to call is half of the battle. These advocacy services help Colorado residents with mental, physical, or developmental disabilities ensure they have the same level of access to services as everybody else.
Getting the right advice is often a case of knowing who to ask. These organizations are a great starting point for Colorado residents with disabilities who need a helping hand with legal, housing, or civil rights concerns.