Disability Law Center Office Procedures During the Pandemic (COVID-19) (updated December 11, 2020)
The Disability Law Center (DLC) staff continue to work remotely as the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 restrictions remain in place. We are therefore not taking any walk-in visitors to help slow down the spread of COVID-19. Although we are working remotely, please know that DLC is here for you. Our staff continues to provide client services, respond to calls and emails, and attend meetings via telephone or videoconference.
DLC continues to respond to new requests for assistance during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Please call 617-723-8455 or 800-872-9992 to request assistance (you may need to leave a voicemail with your name and number for us to return your call); email us at mail@dlc-ma.org, or fill out our online intake form.
Effective January 1, 2021, DLC will accept new calls for assistance at the Front Desk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
DLC realizes that some of our clients are the most at risk. We recognize that people with disabilities, especially those living in congregate settings, are more vulnerable to contagion, are at higher risk of harm due to staffing problems, and at higher risk of harm due to mandatory isolation. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you know of any suspected rights violations stemming from the COVID-19 crisis. We are committed to continuing our vigorous efforts to advance DLC’s critical mission and our important work advocating with and for our clients. We may not be able to respond to every need, but we will advise you of other options if we are not able to help.
Please understand that there may be a delay in getting back to you during this difficult time, but it is our intent to respond to all who contact us.
In Solidarity,
Marlene Sallo
Executive Director
Disability Law Center
DLC Needs Your Input:
Legal Resources Related to COVID 19
The Disability Law Center (DLC) is the Protection and Advocacy agency for Massachusetts. DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. DLC receives federal, state and private funding but is not part of the state or federal government.
Our Mission
To provide legal advocacy on disability issues that promote the fundamental rights of all people with disabilities to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life of Massachusetts.
We operate under the following Principles of Advocacy:
- Independence – To have control
- Productivity – To work or make other contributions to a household or community
- Integration – Right to the same opportunities, services, community resources as all other Americans
- Inclusion – To fully participate, be welcome in social educational, work and community life
Our Protection & Advocacy Agency Access Authority
DLC is the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for Massachusetts. The P&A system is a national network of disability rights agencies investigating abuse and neglect and providing legal representation and other advocacy services to people with disabilities. To aid P&A Agencies in fulfilling their mandate, Congress gave them extensive access authority.