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.
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
Conversations Matter: Equipping Employers to Hire Returning Citizens
April marks Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the challenges faced by millions of justice-impacted citizens and to promote policies and practices that break down barriers to reentry. To celebrate, Attorney Debra Weinberg, DRLA’s Director of Community Advocacy, will serve as a panelist at a Lunch and Learn event hosted by the New Orleans Reentry Task Force Legal Subcommittee on April 1, 2026.
Access to stable employment is one of the best ways to reduce recidivism, but significant barriers still exist. Over one-third of incarcerated individuals have disabilities, and having a criminal record can cut job opportunities and interview callbacks by as much as 50%. The event aims to give employers practical guidance on hiring and supporting returning citizens. The panel will feature employers, HR professionals, legal experts, and individuals with real-life experience who will discuss hiring considerations, legal and risk management practices, and common misconceptions. Attendees will also learn about available workforce supports and hear about real hiring experiences.
“At Disability Rights Louisiana, through programs like FAIR (Financial Access Inclusion and Resources), we see every day what’s possible when individuals are given the tools, support, and chance to succeed,” said Weinberg. “Employers play a key role in creating second chances. When we open doors to employment, we open doors to stability, dignity, and a future.”
#SecondChanceMonth #FairChanceHiring #WorkforceDevelopment #Reentry #DisabilityInclusion ... See MoreSee Less
Homelessness Advocacy Day is on 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