OUR VISION
Nebraskans with disabilities, especially those who are most vulnerable, will be free from harm and able to exercise the same rights, opportunities and choices available to all citizens in order to live fully integrated and culturally valued lives.
OUR MISSION
We use a combination of legal advocacy, public policy advocacy, citizen advocacy, self–advocacy and advocacy education to protect vulnerable people with disabilities, especially those who learn, live or work in isolated, segregated or congregated settings.

Disability Rights Nebraska is a private, nonprofit that is the designated Protection and Advocacy organization for Nebraska. As the Protection and Advocacy organization we have unique access that allows us to pursue legal and/or other remedies to defend the rights of Nebraskans with disabilities.

PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY
People with disabilities are usually devalued by society, face more financial hardship than those without disabilities, and are often isolated or segregated from the rest of the community.

Moreover, people with disabilities are subject to negative perceptions furthered by social attitudes, low expectations, and insufficient public service arrangements.

WE ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE WITH:

• Mental illness or emotional impairments
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Learning disabilities
• Intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Physical or sensory disabilities

INCLUDING THOSE WHO:

• Have been abused, neglected or exploited
• Question whether a disability can affect their voting rights
• Need assistive technology
• Receive disability income benefits and want to return to work

ADVOCACY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
We provide information and education that builds awareness and understanding about inclusion and seeks to reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
LEGAL ADVOCACY
We stand with people who have disabilities when their civil and human rights are denied. As legal advocates, Disability Rights Nebraska will provide advice and representation to persons who meet our eligibility requirements. We have the authority to conduct monitoring visits, and we have access to all facilities where people with disabilities live.
SELF–ADVOCACY
We provide information and referral sources for people with disabilities and their families and friends. We work with and support individuals with disabilities to become stronger and effective advocates for themselves and others.
PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY
We analyze changes to state and federal laws and regulations related to our mission. We educate policy makers about their impact on people with disabilities.

VALUES-BASED ADVOCACY
We support local, independently operated citizen advocacy offices that establish one-to one matches between ordinary citizens and vulnerable people in their communities who have a disability. Citizen advocates are asked to look out for the rights and interests of the person with a disability as if they were their own.
FREEDOM FROM HARM
Disability Rights Nebraska will protect and advocate for vulnerable people with disabilities, beginning with those living in segregated, isolated, and congregated facilities, to ensure their rights are not violated and they are free from neglect, exploitation, abuse, and untimely death.
MOST INCLUSIVE SETTINGS
People must be able to live the lives that they choose, lives that are free from harm, isolation, neglect, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. Disability Rights Nebraska envisions a society where people have the supports, they need to exercise self-determination through real and meaningful choices, a society where all people are free to pursue opportunities and choices in order to live culturally valued lives in fully integrated communities free from barriers, exploitation, and stigma.
ENGAGING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN ADVOCACY
We believe in the philosophy of “nothing about us without us” and work to help people with disabilities to engage and achieve their hopes, dreams, and things not yet imagined.

CONTACT US AT:

Disability Rights Nebraska
2930 Ridge Line Road, Suite 205
Lincoln, NE 68516

Scottsbluff Office
1517 Broadway, Suite 101
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Phone: 402.413.2016 | Toll-Free: 1.800.422.6691
Fax: 402.474.3274

Email: info@disabilityrightsnebraska.org
disabilityrightsnebraska.org