Quality Trust’s Legal Advocacy team works to ensure the rights of people with developmental disabilities are respected, including the right to live full and meaningful lives, free of discrimination, in the places and ways they choose.

Our work includes:

• Providing individual representation to people with developmental disabilities on issues involving capacity, self-determination, and alternatives to guardianship; disability discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations; and transition-age services for young adults still eligible for special education services.
• Advocating for changes to laws, regulations, policies, and practices to make sure they respect and protect the rights of people with disabilities. 
• Providing education, training, and support on topics such as alternatives to guardianship, supported decision-making, discrimination and rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Our work has been covered by the Washington Post, CBS News, People Magazine, WAMU, the Huffington Post, MSNBC, and numerous other outlets.

Success Highlight

Quality Trust assisted Ryan King, an adult with developmental disabilities, to win back his legal rights to direct his own life, with the support of his family.When Ryan turned 18, his parents were told they had to become his guardians in order for him to receive services from the District of Columbia.  Even though they believed he could make his own decisions and had always supported him to do so, they reluctantly agreed.  But Ryan and his family never stopped hoping that one day, he would be legally free to make his own decisions.  With the support of Quality Trust and key partners, Ryan and his family went back to court and successfully showed that Ryan could use Supported Decision-Making to make his own decisions and did not need a guardian.  As a result, Ryan became the first DC resident to have his guardianship ended in favor of Supported Decision-Making. 

• Read more about Ryan King’s Quest

• Susie J. King, Our Journey of Supported Decision-Making for Ryan, an article in the Impact Feature Issue on Self-Determination and Supported Decision-Making for People with Intellectual, Developmental, and Other Disabilities (Vol. 32, No. 1, 2019)

Legal Requests

To speak with our legal team, please fill out our online intake form or call us at 202-448-1450