Minnesota Disability Law Center
Mission
The Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is the federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency for people with disabilities in the state of Minnesota. Every state has a P&A in which lawyers and advocates provide free legal help to people with disabilities on disability rights issues. As a P&A, MDLC has federal access authority which allows us to monitor and investigate facilities that serve people with disabilities— any type of disability, of any age, at all income levels, across Minnesota.
Priorities
Addressing the legal needs of clients with disabilities, our Five-Year Strategic Plan identifies four goals:
- Eliminate abuse and neglect
- Increase integration and decrease discrimination
- Increase access to appropriate services
- Increase statewide awareness of MDLC as an advocacy resource
Read about our current focus areas and share your thoughts about it in this survey.
We welcome comments via email at mndlc@mylegalaid.org. To connect in person, please reach out to MDLC at 1-800-292-4150.
Voter Access
We also spearhead the Protection & Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA) project. This means we study, observe and listen to people with disabilities about their voting experiences and advise the Secretary of State on ways to improve them.
In our own words: Improving Care for People with Disabilities
Watch “Communication,” part one of our two-part series conveying the lived experiences of people with disabilities in health care settings. Part two, “Understanding,” explores what has worked and what hasn’t. Intended for health care professionals, this series is for everyone. Thank you for sharing.
Important to know
Unfortunately, MDLC cannot help everyone who contacts us due to limited funds, grant requirements and our case selection guidelines and priorities. Additionally, we do not typically file complaints solely for money damages and we often focus our litigation efforts on systemic issues.
We also can’t help with:
- Mental health commitment defense
- Social security disability appeals
- Representation in guardianship proceedings
- Personal injury and medical malpractice cases
- Criminal cases
- Workers’ compensation cases
- Family law issues (like divorce, custody or child support)
- Estate planning
- Assisted Living Termination Appeals
Inclusion
Our Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee is comprised of individuals with developmental disabilities or their family members, advocates or other legal representatives, and providers of developmental disability services. The committee advises the Disability Law Center on case selection, abuse and neglect protections, disability rights protections and access to appropriate, individualized services and supports in education, health/social services and employment.
The Mental Health PAIMI* Advisory Council (PAC) is made up of people with experience, expertise and interest in mental health issues. PAC members advise MDLC on policies and priorities to be carried out in protecting and advocating for the rights of individuals with mental illness.
Call Legal Aid
- Disability Law Center
- 1-800-292-4150