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Individuals with disabilities deserve to live their lives free from harassment, discrimination, or restrictions on their independence. This page collects legal and advocacy resources to help individuals with disabilities and their loved ones, including:
Please note that resources that are not provided by a government agency have been included that are frequent partners of government entities or have been included at the recommendation of state agencies. The inclusion of these resources on this website does not constitute an endorsement, and DHS and the Office of Innovation are not responsible for the services or information that you receive from any resource included on the website.
Reports of suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults ages 18 years or older should be made to Adult Protective Services (APS). Reports to APS that meet state criteria will generate a thorough assessment, including a private face-to-face interview with the potentially at-risk adult, to determine if further intervention is warranted. All information generated by the investigation is confidential.
Reports should be made to the APS office in the county in which the vulnerable adult resides. For help from the Division of Aging Services on reporting, call 1-609-588-6501.
To report abuse, neglect, exploitation, crime, or serious bodily injury of individuals living in a long-term care facility, you may contact:
Reports of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability can be reported by calling 1-800-832-9713. This includes instances where the person is 18 years or older and in a placement funded by the Children’s System of Care (CSOC). The DDD Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, visit the DDD website.
In New Jersey, any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or acts of abuse should immediately report this information to the State Central Registry (SCR). If the child is in immediate danger, call 911 as well as 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877- 652-2873). For more information, visit the DCF website.
Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) provides low-income New Jerseyans with free legal help on a variety of issues including domestic violence, housing, taxes, employment, bankruptcy, and more.
For free legal help, visit LSNJ's hotline online or call 1-888-576-5529.
Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ) provides free legal and advocacy services to individuals with disabilities. They also provide education, training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, advocates, and more. If your rights have been violated, call DRNJ’s helpline at 1-800-922-7233, email intakeunit@disabilityrightsnj.org, or use this online form.
Community Health Law Project (CHLP) provides free legal and advocacy services to low-income New Jersey residents with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and the frail elderly. CHLP provides services in a variety of legal areas including, but not limited to, Housing, Social Security, Medicaid/Medicare, Welfare, Simple Estate Planning, Family, and more. If you are in need of assistance please contact your local CHLP office to see if you are eligible for their services.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) undertakes litigation and advocacy on behalf of individuals to defend the principles of freedom, justice, and equality.
Community Justice Center serves low-income and homeless individuals with disabilities and returning disabled veterans and their families, primarily within Central New Jersey. For more information, call (609) 218-5120.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Jersey provides a voice for abused and neglected children by empowering a statewide network of county-based programs. Working through community volunteers, these programs advocate on behalf of children in foster care and other out-of-home placements to ensure their well-being and ultimate placement in safe and nurturing permanent homes. For more information, email info@casaofnj.org.
Many laws, including the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the Americans with Disabilities Act, specifically protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. This list is not exhaustive, but key laws include:
The NJ Law Against Discrimination (NJ LAD) prohibits discrimination and bias-based harassment based on many protected classes, including actual or perceived disability, in employment, housing, and places open to the public. Anyone who believes their rights under the LAD may have been violated may file a complaint within 180 days of the incident. To learn more, visit the Division on Civil Rights page about the NJ LAD.
The NJ Family Leave Act (NJFLA) entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 24-month period to care for a family member. Click here to view a pdf fact sheet on the NJFLA.
The NJ Division on Civil Rights (NJ DCR) is responsible for enforcing the NJLAD and the NJFLA. The Division also offers free seminars and other outreach activities to educate the public on anti-discrimination laws. In order to file a complaint, you must first submit an intake form online through DCR’s NJBIAS tool or by calling 833-653-2748. If you need an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an intake form, or to otherwise use DCR services, call 833-653-2748 (voice), call the Relay Service at 711, or
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. Local information on the ADA is available from the Northeast ADA Center’s website or by calling the Center at 1-800-949-4232. Information on the ADA at the federal level is available at ada.gov or by calling the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, applying for a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. To file a complaint related to the FHA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, contact the New Jersey HUD Newark Field Office at (973) 776-7200 or by email at NJ_Webmanager@hud.gov.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that all children, regardless of disability, are entitled to a free, appropriate public education without extra cost and in the least restrictive and least segregated environment possible.
The Air Carrier Access Act requires airlines to accommodate the needs of passengers with disabilities. This law applies to all flights in the United States and to flights to or from the United States by foreign airlines. It prevents airlines from refusing to transport a passenger solely because of a disability; limits the circumstances under which passengers with disabilities must provide advance information about their disabilities to air carriers; states that assistive devices do not count against passenger baggage limits; and sets accessibility guidelines for airplane facilities.
NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities: The Council provides a forum for public and private agencies serving individuals with disabilities to come together with consumers, family members, and advocates, to develop a coordinated social policy. The Council also funds projects to educate and inform decision-makers, legislators, and the general public about developmental disabilities.
Centers for Independent Living: Centers for Independent Living (CIL) are community-based, consumer-driven organizations designed to support individuals with disabilities by providing a multitude of services based on individual needs, including life skills training, advocacy, information and referral, peer counseling, socialization, and community-based activities. For a list of CILs, visit the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) website.
Regional Family Support Councils: Regional Family Support Councils (RFSPCs) provide a venue for parents and family members of people with developmental disabilities to exchange knowledge and information about available family support services. RFSPC members advise state agencies on how they can best meet the needs of families and individuals with developmental disabilities. Family members of people with developmental disabilities are encouraged to serve on a council. Councils generally meet monthly and may have up to 11 voting members. Meetings are open to the public and all families are welcome to attend. All 21 counties are represented by 10 regional councils.
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network: This nonprofit group provides education to families and professionals, family workshops, support groups and advocacy in the following areas: effective parent involvement, child care, general and special education, dropout and bullying prevention, child welfare, health care, mental health, youth leadership, transition to adult life, incarcerated youth, military family support, violence prevention and more. SPAN Parent Advocacy Network website
The Arc of New Jersey: The Arc of New Jersey is a statewide service and advocacy organization for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with 20 local chapters serving every county. The Arc of New Jersey is an affiliated chapter of The Arc, and community-based services are available statewide through a network of Local County Chapters. The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute assists families to navigate service systems and can be reached at 732-828-2022 or through The Arc website.
The Family Crisis Handbook: The Family Crisis Handbook is a resource created by the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) to empower individuals with disabilities and their family and professional caregivers by providing information to more effectively advocate for persons with complex severe behavioral health conditions for treatments, supports, services and the conditions that promote mental wellness. It is available in English and Spanish.
Autism NJ: Autism NJ is a nonprofit agency committed to ensuring safe and fulfilling lives for individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who support them. Autism NJ offers information services, including a helpline that can connect you to referrals, services, and the latest information about autism.
