Federal Grant Award Summary

Disability Rights Rhode Island received a $195,895 formula grant award from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) under the Program of Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR), CFDA 84.240, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. As Rhode Island's designated protection and advocacy agency, the organization delivers comprehensive legal advocacy and rights protection services to individuals with disabilities throughout the state. Services provided under this award include legal representation, investigation of abuse and neglect complaints, information and referral services, dispute resolution, and advocacy to protect the constitutional and statutory rights of eligible individuals with disabilities. The organization maintains a system to protect and advocate for rights, pursues legal and administrative remedies when necessary, and prioritizes mediation and alternative dispute resolution procedures before resorting to formal proceedings.

The PAIR program, administered by OSERS, is structured as an annual formula grant distributed to designated protection and advocacy agencies in each state and territory. Disability Rights Rhode Island delivers all services directly without identified subcontractors and maintains comprehensive records and accounts as required by federal grant regulations. The organization's work under this award complements its broader portfolio of federal funding from multiple agencies, including grants for protection and advocacy related to mental illness, developmental disabilities, assistive technology, traumatic brain injury, and voting access for individuals with disabilities.