Minnesota Disability Law Center

One Story

A 24 year old male who has autism was living his dream, in downtown Minneapolis when he learned that his disability support services were going to be reduced by more than half (from ten down to four hours per week). He would not be able to maintain living independently within the community without the eight to ten hours of weekly Personal Care Attendant (PCA) support services that he had received for the past five years. He was told that he would have to move to a more restrictive setting in a suburban group home, which would impact his freedom to independently access his employer, favorite coffee shops and local movie theaters. It would also cost the state more money. This young man had worked for five years as an artist, was familiar with the downtown neighborhoods, and had been able to independently access the local bus system. He had three roommates who also received some level of in home supports, which allowed them to share some of the staff and household duties. MDLC successfully advocated on behalf of this client’s right to live in an integrated setting in the least restrictive environment with the disability support services, independent living skills, and homemaking services he needed.

The Minnesota Disability Law Center ( MDLC) serves as the protection and advocacy system in Minnesota for people with disabilities, and as such addresses the unique legal needs of children and adults with disabilities.

The Minnesota Disability Law Center:

• Serves people of all ages and people with all types of disabilities
• Provides free civil legal assistance to people with disabilities
• Does not use income guidelines to determine eligibility for service

Our Priorities

Abuse and Neglect: physical abuse, neglect of health care, improper use of seclusion or restrains.

Self Determination: violation of privacy rights, voluntary treatment

Community-Based Services, Supports and Health Care: access to health care programs, assistive technology, and other needed supports that enable people with disabilities to live as independently as possible

Accessibility and Discrimination: access to public services, discrimination, and barriers to voting

Special Education: use of aversive practices or inappropriate discipline, exclusion of students from day care, pre-school or K-12 classrooms

Employment: access to help from Rehabilitation Services, work-related problems of Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities

The Minnesota Disability Law Center also provides community education workshops on legal issues important to people with disabilities and their families and caregivers.

For more information on the Minnesota Disability Law Center and the people they serve, please go to www.mylegalaid.org.