DRLC is looking to work with Junior and Summer Associates to focus on potential high impact court cases affecting people with disabilities. This experience may range in scope from discrete projects to comprehensive early case assessment and may include initial legal research and memo drafting, early stage fact finding and investigation, strategic assessment of case value, and crafting long-term strategies. Opportunities may include service animals, mobility access to parks and concerts, transportation access, and juvenile justice issues.
Occasional, Weekly, Monthly
21+, Adults
Individuals
Indoor
Formal, Skilled
Weekdays
Special Events
DRLC also needs volunteers to assist with planning and staffing outreach events (health fairs, open houses, training events). Work on the entire event or just one part.
One-time, Occasional
55+, Adults
Individuals
Event support
None, On-site
Weekdays, Evenings, Weekends
Pro Bono Attorney Opportunities
The Pro Bono Program gives attorneys interested in disability civil rights law, special education law and other related opportunities a chance to hone their advocacy skills and to make a difference in the community. Our main programs are the Disability Litigation Program and the Education Advocacy Program.
One-time, Occasional, Weekly, Monthly
21+, 55+
Individuals
Indoor
Skilled
Weekdays
Intake Volunteer
Return phone calls regarding disability related disputes, consult with attorneys on recommendations and write letters to callers providing resources and referrals. This does not require legal knowledge or a law degree, just the ability to ask a set of questions, listen sympathetically, take notes of the caller’s issue and consult with an attorney regarding what course of action DRLC will take. This is a great opportunity to help someone in a difficult situation.
Occasional, Weekly, Monthly
55+, Adults
Individuals
Indoor
Formal
Weekdays
Cancer Rights Program Opportunities
Students or volunteers working with DRLC’s Cancer Legal Resource Center gain hands-on experience assisting people with cancer, cancer survivors, their families, friends and others affected by cancer, primarily by providing assistance via a national hotline.
Occasional, Weekly, Monthly
55+, Adults
Individuals
Indoor
On-site, Formal
Weekdays, Evenings, Weekends
Community Advocacy Program
Volunteers for the Community Advocacy Program (CAP) gain hands-on experience assisting persons with disabilities and their advocates with disability related issues via the intake line. They also gain case management experience and may develop community outreach and education experience. The CAP Program accepts undergraduate, graduate, and law student volunteers and well as community volunteers.
Occasional, Weekly, Monthly
21+, Adults
Individuals
Indoor
Formal, Skilled
Weekdays
Administration Volunteer
Assist with operations, financial/statistical projects, administrative work, filing documents, organizing press packets, putting together resource packets, creating address labels and data entry. DRLC also needs paralegal assistance with case files.
Occasional, Weekly, Monthly
55+, Adults
Individuals
Office work, Indoor
On-site, Skilled
Weekdays
Civil Rights Program Externship
Students working with DRLC’s Civil Rights Program will have the opportunity to: (1) work on class action and individual impact cases with the Disability Litigation Program and Education Advocacy Programs, allowing them to develop legal research and writing skills, and actively participate in all phases of litigation; and (2) conduct intake and provide limited scope advocacy services under the Community Advocacy Program. Students can enroll in as low as two units per semester for the Civil Rights Program. Given the nature of this externship, students schedule their own in-office hours to fulfill their requirements.
Weekly, Monthly
21+, Adults
Individuals
Indoor
Formal, Skilled
Weekdays
How you help
The organization provides the highest quality legal representation and counseling to people with disabilities and those affected with cancer and other serious illness. We would not be able to provide this level of representation without the assistance of our volunteers!
About us
Throughout its 40-year history, DRLC has stood at the forefront of achieving equal rights for people with disabilities. DRLC promotes beneficial change through its precedent setting individual and class action court cases that challenge discriminatory practices by government agencies, businesses and educational institutions. We provide all of our services cost-free; most of our clients are at or below the poverty level. DRLC’s goal for success is to eradicate discrimination through impact litigation affecting large numbers of people with disabilities, cancer and other serious illness.
