Welcome to the website of Disability Rights Connecticut, Inc. (“DRCT”), a new independent, nonprofit organization established to be the successor entity to Connecticut’s Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities which was abolished by Connecticut law as of June 30, 2017.  We are a statewide organization largely funded by federal entities and authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, Rehabilitation Act and Social Security Act. DRCT opened its doors on July 1, 2017 and is hoping to hear from you!!  

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Disability Rights Connecticut Files a Complaint Against the Connecticut Department of Transportation

Disability Rights Connecticut, as the "protection and advocacy system" for individuals with disabilities in Connecticut, filed an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint against the Connecticut Department of Transportation.  In a Press Release on June 8, 2018, DRCT explained, "Representatives from NHHS Rail have indicated that the service will begin operations in violation of the ADA and ADA regulations when it begins operations on June 16, 2018. The trains which will be used to provide the service on the NHHS Rail do not have accessible bathrooms. No accessible bathrooms will be available on any of the trains until at least November of 2018. CT DOT’s proposed solution was to place accessible bathroom trailers at the train stations to make up for the lack of accessible bathrooms on the trains.  This proposal fails to address the lack of accessible bathrooms on the train. It still treats people with disabilities differently and does not afford individuals with disabilities with substantially equal access compared to individuals without disabilities".

To see the full Press Release click here. Please call DRCT with any questions.  Our telephone numbers are (860) 297-4300 (local) and (800) 842-7303 (toll-free, in CT).

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DRCT is Hiring Advocates!  - Application Deadline is June 26

Disability Rights Connecticut is hiring three (3) Advocates!  Each position has a different focus although advocates will also be expected to work in other areas of the agency.  Please go to the Job Opportunities Section of this website for more information.  

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We are People - People First Annual Conference - June 23

Don't Forget to Register!

People First of Connecticut, a self-advocacy group for people with disabilities, is hosting it's Annual Conference on June 23, 2018 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.  The Conference, We Are People, features a keynote speech by Chester Finn, national self-advocacy leader and a speech by Jordan Scheff, Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services.  There will also be workshops on Employment, Partners in Policymaking, Housing Options, Board Member Training, and advocacy skills.  The cost of the conference is $30.00 if paid by June 19, 2018 and $35.00 after that date.  

Click on the link to register: REGISTER HERE  

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Congressman John Larson Celebrates with DRCT Staff

Congressman John Larson met with staff at the DRCT office to celebrate passage of the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act (HR 4547). Congressman Larson, an author of the Act, celebrated with DRCT and gave them a signed copy for the office.  The Act creates better protections for Social Security beneficiaries including improved oversight of the representative payees that are entrusted with managing their benefits.  Under the Act, Disability Rights Connecticut will receive funding to provide critical monitoring of Social Security Representative Payees to ensure they are meeting their obligations to beneficiaries.