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Legal
The information listed below is meant to assist people with disabilities in finding resources and services from organizations that specialize in legal advocacy.
Last Updated: 9/1/2024
General Legal Resources
City Commission on Human Rights Discrimination Complaints
The Commission on Human Rights enforces the New York City Human Rights Law and protects people who have experienced discrimination. They also assist folks in the process of negotiating reasonable accommodations in the areas of housing, employment, public services etc. For general questions, call the main number. To file a complaint, call the number for scheduling appointments.
Main Phone: 212-306-7450
Schedule Appointment: 718-722-3131
Commission on Human Rights Website
New York State Division of Human Rights
Under the Human Rights Law in New York, every citizen has an "equal opportunity to enjoy a full and productive life." This law protects you from discrimination in areas such as employment, education, credit, and purchasing or renting a home or commercial space based on your:
- race
- creed
- color
- national origin
- sexual orientation
- military status
- sex
- age
- marital status
- domestic violence victim status
- disability
- pregnancy-related condition
- predisposing genetic characteristics
- prior arrest or conviction record
- familial status
- retaliation for opposing unlawful discriminatory practices
If someone feels they have been discriminated against they can file a complaint with the Division of Human Rights. Once a complaint is filed, the Division of Human Rights will investigate and may present the case in a public hearing.
File a Complaint on the Division of Human Rights Website
ADA Complaint with the Federal Department of Justice
You can file an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint alleging disability discrimination against a State or local government or a public accommodation (including, for example, a restaurant, doctor's office, retail store, hotel, etc.) online, by mail, or fax.
Complaint by Mail:
US Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section – 1425 NYAV
Washington, D.C. 20530
Tenant Harassment Taskforce
The Mayor and Attorney General have created a taskforce to fight tenant harassment. Fill out the Tenant Harassment form and mail it to the Attorney General's office.
Phone: 800-771-7755
Additional Information on Tenant Harassment Taskforce
Disability Rights New York
Disability Rights New York (DRNY) provides legal assistance to individuals with disabilities. DRNY’s mission is to protect and advance the rights of adults and children who have disabilities so that they freely exercise their own life choices, enforce their rights, and fully participate in community life.
DRNY carries out this mission in a number of ways: through advocacy, coalition building, litigation and public information. Additionally, DRNY provides technical support to other advocates for people with disabilities in New York.
This assistance is provided through a combination of the following nine programs:
- PAIMI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness)
- PADD (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)
- PAIR (Protection and Advocacy of Individuals Rights, including the rights of individuals with physical disabilities)
- PABSS (Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security, SSDI or SSI)
- PATBI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury), PAVA (Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access)
- PAAT (Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology)
- CAP (Client Assistance Program, Protection and Advocacy for Individuals Receiving or Applying for Vocational Rehabilitation Services)
- Rep Payee (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals Receiving Social Security Benefits through a Representative Payee)
New York City Office:
25 Chapel Street, Suite 1005
Brooklyn, NY 11201
<>Main Number: 518-432-7861
Toll-Free Number: 800-993-8982
Email: mail@DRNY.org
Disability Rights New York Website
Pro-Bono Resources
Legal Aid Society
Provides pro-bono legal services.
199 Water Street
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212-577-3300
Fax: 212-509-8761
City Bar Justice Center
Provides a hotline to answer legal questions, no legal representation available.
Phone: 212-626-7383
Email: cbjc@nycbar.org
City Bar Justice Center Website
Queens Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc.
Available Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Phone: 718-739-4100
Queens Volunteer Lawyers Project Website
Legal Services NYC
Specializes in tenant/landlord issues.
40 Worth Street, Suite 606
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 917-661-4500 or 646-442-3600
Cardozo Law School
Provides a civil legal clinic overseen by Professor Leslie Salzman, Director of Clinical Education & Co-Director of the Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Email: salzman@yu.edu
Phone: 212-790-0200
Cardozo Law School Legal Clinic Website
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
Legal Services on Wheels - Bringing free legal services to your community. Our innovative legal help van brings lawyers into local communities that have historically been underserved. For many populations, such as people who are geographically isolated, people with disabilities, and survivors of intimate partner violence, access to high quality free legal services can be out of reach.
By traveling to meet individuals in their communities, NYLAG promotes access to and trust in the justice system.
Services
The NYLAG attorneys bring justice to communities. They offer the following legal services on the van:
- Assisting with immigration issues, including citizenship, green cards, and asylum
- Fighting to preserve safe, affordable housing
- Working with survivors of intimate partner violence on orders of protection, custody, and divorce
- Advocating for workers earning low wages in matters of discrimination, wage underpayment, unemployment insurance, and disability and pregnancy accommodations
- Helping individuals who fall victim to consumer fraud, debt, and identity theft get access to financial counseling
- Assisting with estate planning, including wills, health care proxies, and powers of attorney
- Maintaining public benefits
Phone: 212-613-5000
NYLAG Mobile Legal Help Center
NYLAG’s Website
New York County Lawyers Association
Pro-bono services.
14 Vesey Street
New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-267-6646
New York County Lawyers Association Website