The Americans with Disabilities Act at 25: Cause for Celebration and Renewed Resolve

Washington - In the 25 years since the historic enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there has been an increase in the number of people with disabilities participating in all aspects of community life. But where do we go from here? In this report we review the progress our nation has made since the historic enactment of the ADA in 1990. We highlight the critical role that P&As have in enforcing the ADA integration mandate and we call attention to disturbing national trends that threaten to distort and weaken the promise of full community integration.

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Orphanages, Training Schools, Reform Schools and Now This? Recommendations to Prevent the Disproportionate Placement and Inadequate Treatment of Children with Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System

WASHINGTON – Children with disabilities are disproportionately placed in the juvenile justice system, receive inadequate treatment and are denied educational opportunities, the National Disability Rights Network asserted in a report released today.

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Foster Despair: Improving Access to Education Services for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities in State Custody

WASHINGTON, D.C., (May 8)-- The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) released a report, during National Foster Care Month, titled Foster Despair: Improving Access to Education Services for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities in State Custody. Each May, National Foster Care Month serves as a reminder that there are many children with disabilities who do not receive appropriate education because they are placed in congregate care or other institution-type settings rather than with foster families.

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All Aboard (Except People with Disabilities): Amtrak's 23 Years of ADA Compliance Failure

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) announced today that a review of Amtrak stations found 95% have major barriers preventing people with disabilities from using the nation’s rail system. The Network reviewed 94 stations in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Eighty-nine of them were found to have one or more architectural barriers to accessibility.

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Devaluing People with Disabilities: Medical Procedures that Violate Civil Rights

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. Read more.

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Keeping the Promise: True Community Integration and the Need for Monitoring and Advocacy

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) today released the report Keeping the Promise: True Community Integration and the Need for Monitoring and Advocacy. The report summarizes two projects that monitored people with disabilities, many of whom were moving out of large institutions into homes in the community.

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Segregated and Exploited

 In reports released in 2011 and 2012, NDRN found a total failure of the disability service system to provide quality work for people with disabilities.  The reports blast segregated work, sheltered environments and low wages for people with disabilities and highlight a massive breakdown between good federal and state policies and their implementation and oversight.  Read NDRN's scathing reports: Segregated and Exploited (2011) and Beyond Segregated and Exploited (2012) .

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 School is Not Supposed to Hurt: The U.S. Department of Education Must Do More to Protect School Children from Restraint and Seclusion

March 2012

Recommendations to the Department of Education to reduce and prevent the use of restraint and seclusion on school children.

School Is Not Supposed to Hurt: Update on Progress in 2009 to Prevent and Reduce Restraint and Seclusion in Schools

January 2010

In these pages lies the culmination of a year of intense advocacy work, family support, and initial action of lawmakers to regulate restraint and seclusion in schools.

School Is Not Supposed to Hurt: Investigative Report on Abusive Restraint and Seclusion in Schools

January, 2009

Whenever we open a newspaper, turn on the television, or go on the Internet these days, we hear about another child dying or being injured in school while being restrained or secluded. Some may think these are isolated incidents, but, when Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies across this country report that school children have been killed, confined, tied up, pinned down, and battered, this is clearly more than an isolated issue - it is one of national concern.