California offers robust protections and resources for individuals facing disabilities discrimination, ensuring their rights are upheld in workplaces, schools, housing, and public spaces. Here's a guide to key resources:
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### **Disability Rights Advocacy and Legal Support**
1. **Disability Rights California (DRC)**
- The state’s leading legal advocacy group for disability rights, providing free assistance and representation.
- Phone: 1-800-776-5746
- Website: [www.disabilityrightsca.org](https://www.disabilityrightsca.org)
2. **Legal Aid Organizations**
- **Legal Aid at Work**: Offers free legal advice for employment discrimination.
- Phone: 1-415-864-8848
- Website: [www.legalaidatwork.org](https://www.legalaidatwork.org)
- **Bay Area Legal Aid**: Focuses on housing, public benefits, and discrimination issues.
- Phone: 1-800-551-5554
- Website: [www.baylegal.org](https://baylegal.org)
- **Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA)**: Assistance with housing, employment, and public accommodations.
- Phone: 1-800-433-6251
- Website: [www.nlsla.org](https://www.nlsla.org)
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### **State and Federal Disability Rights Agencies**
1. **California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)**
- Handles complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
- File a complaint: [DFEH Online Portal](https://www.calcivilrights.ca.gov)
- Phone: 1-800-884-1684
2. **U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)**
- Enforces federal anti-discrimination laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- File a complaint: [www.eeoc.gov](https://www.eeoc.gov)
- Phone: 1-800-669-4000
3. **ADA National Network – Pacific ADA Center**
- Provides guidance on ADA rights in California and beyond.
- Phone: 1-800-949-4232
- Website: [www.adapacific.org](https://www.adapacific.org)
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### **Employment Discrimination Assistance**
1. **Job Accommodation Network (JAN)**
- Offers guidance on workplace accommodations under the ADA.
- Phone: 1-800-526-7234
- Website: [www.askjan.org](https://askjan.org)
2. **Workforce Development Programs**
- California Employment Development Department (EDD) provides vocational rehab and job placement for individuals with disabilities.
- Website: [www.edd.ca.gov](https://www.edd.ca.gov)
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### **Housing Discrimination Resources**
1. **California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)**
- Investigates housing discrimination cases based on disability.
- [DFEH Housing Rights](https://www.calcivilrights.ca.gov/housing)
2. **Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California**
- Provides advocacy and legal support for housing discrimination.
- Phone: 1-415-457-5025
- Website: [www.fairhousingnorcal.org](https://www.fairhousingnorcal.org)
3. **HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)**
- File federal housing discrimination complaints.
- Phone: 1-800-669-9777
- Website: [www.hud.gov/fairhousing](https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing)
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### **Education Discrimination**
1. **Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Education**
- Handles disability discrimination in K-12 schools and higher education.
- File a complaint: [www.ed.gov/ocr](https://www.ed.gov/ocr)
- Phone: 1-800-421-3481
2. **California Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs)**
- Supports families navigating special education and disability accommodations in schools.
- Website: [www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/as/caselpas.asp](https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/as/caselpas.asp)
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### **Advocacy and Support Groups**
1. **Independent Living Centers (ILCs)**
- Nonprofits that provide advocacy, housing support, and community services for people with disabilities.
- Find your local ILC: [California ILC Directory](https://www.ilrc.org)
2. **The ARC of California**
- Advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Website: [www.thearcca.org](https://thearcca.org)
3. **Center for Independent Living (CIL)**
- Provides disability rights advocacy, training, and resources in California.
- Website: [www.cilberkeley.org](https://www.cilberkeley.org)
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If you need help contacting or navigating any of these resources, let me know!