Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights

The goal of the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) program is to operate a system for the protection and advocacy of the legal and human rights of persons with disabilities residing in Georgia who are not eligible for the protection and advocacy services available through the Protection & Advocacy of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) or the Protection Advocacy of Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) programs or through the Client Assistance Program (CAP) which advocates with respect to problems with the Division of Rehabilitation Services.

Priority 1. Protect individuals with disabilities in Georgia from abuse and neglect.

Objective 1. Investigate and intervene on behalf of persons in institutions who are subject to abuse and neglect.

Objective 2. Investigate and intervene on behalf of persons with disabilities from circumstances of abuse (financial as well as physical) and neglect in the community.

Objective 3. Investigate the deaths of persons in institutions and community settings which were allegedly the result of abuse and neglect.

Priority 2. Protect individuals with disabilities in Georgia from discrimination.

Objective 1. Train sixty (60) new advocates and support over one hundred and fifty (150) advocates throughout Georgia in special education law and the value of inclusion of all students in their community through the Parent Leadership Support Project (a program initiated by GAO).

Objective 2.Advocate for state and local government to provide accessible services to people with disabilities.

Objective 3. Advocate for individuals with disabilities in the private sector to gain access to healthcare, housing, transportation, and employment.

Priority 3. Promote the integration and self-determination of persons with disabilities in the community.

Objective 1. Advocate to restore greater rights to individuals subject to guardianship.

Objective 2. Develop programs to engage ordinary citizens in protection and advocacy on behalf of people with developmental disabilities in nursing homes.

Objective 3.Participate in legislative committees regarding any issues of life and death such as to redraft Georgia's Advance Directive forms and code, and legislation around nutrition and hydration.

Individual and systems change issues addressed by PAIR include (but are not limited to) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, attendant care services, inclusive education, employment discrimination, housing, guardianship, and transportation.

For a general description and philosophy of this program click here to see our PAIR Program brochure