People with Disabilities
Our disability work turns legal rights into real access to housing, classrooms, health care, and good jobs – and one client’s win can prompt policies that protect many more.
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Who we serve
People with disabilities are part of every community in Washington: our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends. They have the same rights as everyone else to live, work, learn, and get health care on equal terms, and to fully take part in community life.
The surgery is going to help me physically and emotionally heal. Its going to take a lot of stress off my spine. I’m not going to be in as much pain. My case would have gotten dropped without NJP. Their services are an amazing gift for those of us who don’t know where else to go.
Desiree, NJP client
What we help with
We combat discrimination against people with disabilities in housing, education, health care, and the workplace. Our legal services help:
- tenants get the reasonable accommodations they’re entitled to
- students get special education services
- people get and keep disability benefits and health coverage.
When businesses, health care providers, or public agencies deny equal access, we hold them accountable, including by taking legal action under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Accessible legal services
Accessibility is built into how we work. We provide ASL and ProTactile interpreters for clients, and relay access so everyone can get the help they need. Our attorneys work across our offices statewide and through medical-legal partnerships with hospitals and clinics, where care teams can connect patients directly with legal help.
Debra’s Story
DeafBlind Client Wins Fight Against Health Giant
Debra Kahn fought for her right to effective communication at the doctor’s office — and won. With the help of Northwest Justice Project, her case led to a $350,000 fund for other Deaf and DeafBlind patients, and binding policy changes at the provider.
Case Study
People with Disabilities
Securing a Veteran’s Right to Accommodation
Under federal and state law, landlords must make reasonable accommodations so tenants with disabilities can stay in their homes. When landlords ignore that duty, or when a new owner takes over and revokes an accommodation already in place, tenants can lose their housing.
That’s what happened to Elon Mix, a senior and veteran who relies on his Veteran’s disability check to pay rent. Because the check didn’t arrive on the first of the month, his prior landlord had agreed to let him pay rent on the day it came. That way he could stay current on his other bills. The landlord agreed because the law required it. But when the building changed hands, the new owner revoked the accommodation, evicted Mr. Mix, and kept his security deposit.
NJP sued, and the court found the landlord liable for disability discrimination for unreasonably refusing to accommodate his disability. Under a consent decree, the landlord must now train all employees on federal disability law and include a notice of tenants’ rights in every future lease.
Recent News & Stories
Our staff attorneys and partners are constantly fighting for the rights of people with disabilities.
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Northwest Justice Project (NJP) and Rivercrest Law PLLC announced today that claims brought by Ms. Aaron Allen and the Estate of Kathleen Allen have been settled for $725,000.
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Earlier this year, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) issued Emergency Rules regarding student discipline without affording input from family advocates, students or parents. The changes in discipline regulations included: Removing the requirement that schools consider alternative forms of discipline thatJayleen support students in meeting behavioral expectation BEFORE excluding them from classrooms An…
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