Resources

The Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section carries out the Department’s responsibilities for enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure access to, and nondiscrimination by, businesses (e.g., hotels, restaurants, theaters, stores), State and local government programs and activities (e.g., public meetings, public hospitals, public education, public transportation, law enforcement, courts), and State and local government employment services. United States Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division - Disability Rights Section 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW- Washington, DC 20530-0001 Department Comment Line: 202-307-0633 or Talk to an ADA Specialist: Voice: 800-514-0301/TTY: 800-514-0383

MidPenn Legal Services is a non-profit, public interest law firm that provides high quality free civil legal services to low-income residents and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in 18 counties in Central Pennsylvania. Counties served include Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Schuylkill, and York. Program services included Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, Legal Intervention for Victims and Empowerment, Employment Law Project, Public Benefits Projects, and Securing Economic Rights for Victims with Disabilities Program. 1-800-326-9177

Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc. provides legal aid services in Fayette, Greene, Somerset, and Washington Counties. Those who are interested in receiving free legal services should reach out to Southwestern PA Legal Services by at 800-846-0871.

The Pro Bono Program provides a structure through which students can serve the public interest while developing critical professional skills under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Those interested should email lawclinic@duq.edu.

Philly VIP provides legal services or low-income residents and families facing civil legal problems that threaten their basic human needs – shelter, employment, financial stability, education, and health. Philadelphia VIP 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-523-9550

PLA provides free legal services to low-income individuals living in Philadelphia. They help clients with a variety of legal civil issues including family law, foreclosure, public benefits, and more. Those who are interested in free legal services are welcome to apply for assistance over the phone, online, or in person. Philadelphia Legal Assistance 718 Arch Street, Suite 300N Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-981-3800

The Temple Legal Aid Office provides free legal representation in civil law matters to qualifying, low-income, Philadelphia residents. The Legal Aid Office frequently helps clients with issues related to family law (child and spousal custody and support, kinship adoption, etc.), problems encountered with health insurance companies, life planning (wills, power of attorney, etc.), employment discrimination, and public benefits as they relate to persons with chronic illness and physical disabilities. 215-204-1800

Community Legal Services provides free legal assistance to low-income Philadelphians. CLS attorneys work on changing policy, representing individual clients, and providing community education. CLS is comprised of the follow legal units: employment, energy, family advocacy, health and independence, home ownership and consumer rights, housing, Language Access Project, Medical Legal Partnership, SSI unit, and Youth Justice Project. To see if you qualify for legal services, call 215-981-3700.

North Penn Legal Services offers free legal representation to eligible clients in the following counties: Bradford, Carbon, Clinton, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, and Wyoming. In order to qualify for free legal services, your household income must meet requirements based on Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. NPLS only handles civil legal issues and does not handle criminal, personal injury, or traffic court matters. NPLS currently handles the following types of cases: assistance for seniors; children and family; education and school; housing, landlord/tenant rights; Social Security Disability (SSI & SSD) benefits; Consumer; domestic violence and protection from abuse; employment; welfare benefits; and unemployment compensation. Those who are interested in receiving services can apply on the website. After an application is completed, NPLS will inform you if your case has been accepted. Multiple Offices in Northeast Pennsylvania 877-953-4250

f) NWLS is a non-profit law firm that provides free legal aid to eligible clients in Cameron, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Mercer, McKean, Potter, Venango, and Warren counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania. They offer direct representation, private attorney involvement programs, a telephone advice program, Self-Help and Pro Se Clinics, and community education. Their services are available to low-income individuals living in the aforementioned counties. They currently handle education and employment, health law issues, family law, housing law, public benefits, social security, unemployment compensation, consumer law, and other areas such as wills and power of attorney. Those who are interested in receiving services can apply on the website. After an application is completed, NWLS will inform you if your case has been accepted. Offices located in Erie, Warren, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, Forest, McKean, Cameron, and Potter Counties 814-452-6949