Disability Rights Maine (DRM) is Maine’s Protection and Advocacy agency. We provide advocacy and legal services to people with disabilities whose rights have been violated, including individuals who have experienced abuse, neglect, discrimination, or other disability-related rights violations.
Because DRM has limited resources, we focus our work on issues (“priorities”) that are especially important to people with disabilities across Maine. Our priorities are informed by feedback received through surveys and public outreach and guide our individual and systemic work for the year.
DRM FY 27 Priorities:
1. Eliminate Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
People with disabilities will be safe from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and will be guaranteed basic personal rights.
2. Reduce the Use of Guardianship
People with disabilities will retain the right to make decisions about their own lives and be supported to exercise and use less restrictive alternatives.
3. Improve Access to Disability-Related Supports and Services
People with disabilities will be afforded due process with regard to decisions that reduce, eliminate or restrict their rights and the services they receive.
4. Increase Access to Competitive Integrated Employment
People with disabilities will have access to employment and employment services in integrated settings and without being subjected to unlawful disability-based discrimination.
5. Expand Access to Community Living
People with disabilities will receive the services they need to live in the community in the most integrated setting possible and to direct their own services and supports whenever possible.
People with disabilities will live in safe, accessible, and affordable housing and be free from housing discrimination.
6. Protect Access to Voting
Individuals with disabilities will be ensured full participation in the electoral process.
