Disability Rights Nebraska

The Nebraska Advocacy Services, Inc. (NAS) is a private, non-profit organization designated by the Governor to protect and advocate for the rights of people with significant mental or physical disabilities. As Nebraska’s designated protection and advocacy system, NAS has the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to protect the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities, mental illness, or other significant disabilities. Through a variety of other activities including public education, information and referral, and public policy analysis, NAS works to change public attitudes and increase public awareness of the legal and human rights of people with disabilities. NAS provides information about disability rights and benefits, special education law, public accommodations, and other agencies that serve people with disabilities; investigates incidents of abuse and neglect or other concerns; offers advice to individuals or their families on legal rights and remedies; and provides direct legal representation when other methods of negotiation have been unsuccessful and the problem meets the broad case priorities adopted by the NAS Board of Directors. The agency also analyzes state and federal legislation as well as government policies and regulations that impact the legal and human rights of people with disabilities; supports local citizen advocacy offices by offering training, arranging program evaluations, and providing consultation on program development; serves as a resource for attorneys and other professionals advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities; and provides a variety of educational programs, publications, and information on topics related to disability rights and advocacy skills.