We work on behalf of people with disabilities to combat all forms of discrimination, abuse and neglect through monitoring, investigations and legal action.
We support people with disabilities of all ages in order to advance individual rights and create systems change that focuses on community integration and quality of life.
We provide people with disabilities the tools, resources and assistance that empower them to exercise maximum independence and self-determination.
We are proud to share our FY25 Annual Report with you. In the words of our Executive Director Ranie Thompson, “This year demanded more of us—and our team rose with resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to those we serve. Laser focused, we pursued our mission with the understanding that we are made for this moment.”
In FY25, DRLA directly served over 2,500 Louisianans with disabilities—and pursued systemic litigation, policy reforms, and monitoring work with the potential to impact thousands more. Highlights include:
* We helped secure 750 new Medicaid waiver slots, empowering hundreds to live independently while saving Louisiana an estimated $27 million in institutional care costs.
* We monitored 513 facilities to protect the rights of 5,277 adults and children who live inside them.
* We helped 504 job-seekers with disabilities address employment barriers. When we tracked the earnings of just 30 of these clients, we found they alone returned an estimated $400,000+ to our local economy in 2025.
Download our Annual Report to see the full scope of how we improved outcomes for the disability community in the areas of education, institutions, healthcare, employment, accessibility, and autonomy.
disabilityrightsla.org/drla-releases-fy25-annual-report/
We are deeply grateful to the clients, funders, team members, volunteers, and partners who made our work possible in 2025. ... See MoreSee Less
Homelessness Advocacy Day is tomorrow, April 8th!
Join advocates from the Louisiana Homelessness Advocacy Coalition at the Capitol as we work to strengthen housing access and homeless services statewide.
Melanie Bray, DRLA’s Director of Legal Programs and Advocacy, will speak at the Louisiana Capitol Rally on the intersectionality between housing justice and disability. She joins forces with statewide advocates speaking to “engage, inform, and advocate for evidence-based, client-centered best practices to end homelessness on behalf of our state’s most vulnerable residents.”
Here is a schedule of events:
* Info Table & Legislative Visits: 8:00 AM – until close, at the Louisiana Capitol
* Louisiana Capitol Rally: 12:15 PM at the Louisiana Capitol Gardens (N. 3rd St. at State Capitol Drive)
Scan the QR code in the flyer attached to RSVP and get more information!
Support our work to improve housing access to help protect, advocate, and empower people with disabilities in our communities! ... See MoreSee Less
DRLA is now hiring! Join our team of dedicated attorneys and advocates!
We are currently seeking applicants for the following positions:
* Staff Attorney (PABSS) - New Orleans
* Staff Attorney - New Orleans preferred (possibility for remote depended upon location)
* Investigative Advocate - Statewide; preference for Baton Rouge area or Alexandria area
For links to information on applying and full job descriptions, please visit our website: disabilityrightsla.org/who-we-are/employment/ ... See MoreSee Less