Private/Non-Profit Agencies

a. American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California (ACLU)

http://www.aclunc.org/

39 Drumm Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 ……………………………. (415) 621-2493

Help Line ……………………………………………………………………………. (415) 621-2488

Spanish Line ……………………………………………………………………….. (415) 293-6356

The ACLU is not a legal aid-type office. It rarely handles individual cases without substantial law-making impact. Focus is on impact litigation, cases raising civil liberties/civil rights issues, constitutional test cases with potential impact on large numbers of people, some class actions. Cases usually involve issues of law rather than disputed facts; also, cases challenging unconstitutional or discriminatory ordinances, regulations, laws, procedures.

Languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin and others depend on availability.

b. Asian Law Caucus, Inc.

http://www.asianlawcaucus.org/

55 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94111 ……………………………. (415) 896-1701

Housing (landlord-tenant), immigration, employment, and civil rights.

Languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese.

c. Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAs)

http://www.adata.org

Information Line …………………………………………………………………. (800) 949-4232

Provides information, materials, technical assistance, and training on the ADA. This number automatically routes your call to the DBTAC in your region.

d. Disability Rights California

http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/

1831 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 ……………………………………. (916) 504-5800

Toll Free …………………………………………………………………………….. (800) 776-5746

Specializes in developmental and mental disabilities.

e. Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

http://www.dredf.org/

3075 Adeline Street, Suite 210, Berkeley, CA 94703 ………………… (510) 644-2555

….. FAX/TTY: (510) 841-8645

Discrimination based on disability; special education, primarily integration.

f. Guide to Student Disability Protections and Plans –

https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/parents-students-disabilities/

This comprehensive, expert-driven, and easy-to-digest guide lays out everything that students with disabilities and their parents need to know about their rights and the laws that protect them, such as the ADA, Section 504, and IDEA. Parents can also find expert advice on how to best prepare an education plan for their student.

g. Mental Health Advocacy Project

http://lawfoundation.org/programMHAP.html

152 North Third Street, 3^rd Floor, San Jose, CA 95112 ……………… (408) 293-9730

Toll Free …………………………………………………………………………….. (800) 280-2416

MHAP’s mission is to empower people identified as mentally or developmentally disabled to live more independent, secure, and satisfying lives through the enforcement of their legal rights and the advancement of their social and economic well-being. MHAP’s 12-member staff helps its clients resolve their daily living problems in the areas of care and treatment, housing, financial benefits, employment, education, and consumer rights.

h. My References

www.myreferences.com ……………………………………………………… (800) 651-2470

Checks references provided by former employers.

i. People with Disabilities Foundation

info@PWDF.org or www.PWDF.org

507 Polk Street, Suite 430, San Francisco, CA 94102 ………………… (415)931-3070 or (510) 522-7933

(Also serves San Mateo, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano Counties).

Services for people with mental or developmental disabilities who already receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Insurance (SSDI) and have problems with their benefits. This clinic is not for overpayments only. Fee-based on a sliding scale from $00.00 and up. Translators available by prior arrangement. Call for an appointment and information about next clinic.

j. Public Advocates

131 Steuart Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94105 ……………. (415) 431-7430

Class action lawsuits.