Protect
Mother reading to young daughter with Down Syndrome

We work on behalf of people with disabilities to combat all forms of discrimination, abuse and neglect through monitoring, investigations and legal action.

Advocate
Teen boy signing the word today

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.

Empower
woman on city sidewalk in wheelchair smiling

We provide people with disabilities the tools, resources and assistance that empower them to exercise maximum independence and self-determination.

Our Areas of Focus

Text reads, "We are hiring! Join our team. Open positions: Staff Attorney (PABBS) - 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, visit: https://disabilityrightsla.org/who-we-are/employment. The photo at right is of a young black woman with short hair in a gray striped sweater, smiling and using her wheelchair. A young black woman with long curly hair wearing glasses is standing crouched behind her, embracing her while she holds her left hand. The DRLA logo is at bottom right, a figure in blue supported by figures in green on each side. Underneath are the words "Protect. Advocate. Empower."

We are now hiring! Come join the DRLA team!

  DRLA is now hiring! Join our team of dedicated attorneys and advocates!   We are currently seeking applicants for the following positions:   Staff Attorney (PABSS) Location: New Orleans Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA) has an immediate opening for a…

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Cover for annual report features dark blue, green, and light blue diagonal stripes in the upper left and lower right corners. Text reads "2025 Annual Report." Text at bottom reads "800-960-7705. Disabilityrightsla.org. In the upper left corner is the logo for Disability Rights Louisiana, featuring a blue figure at center with a green figure standing by it on each side. Underneath are the words "Protect. Advocate. Empower."

DRLA Releases FY25 Annual Report

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….

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Image of diverse group of three young people talking outside in a campus setting. A man using a wheelchair at left talks to two friends having coffee.

Help Shape Our Work – Take DRLA’s Community Input Survey!

This is an opportunity for you to honestly tell us about the needs of individuals with disabilities throughout Louisiana, and how Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA) can help. You can take the survey by clicking on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QP8LRWQ DRLA is…

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Cover of Louisiana Bar Journal magazine, featuring the scales of justice in a heavily blue tinted theme. The title reads "Focus on Accessibility and the Law"

DRLA Featured in Louisiana Bar Journal

The Louisiana State Bar Association’s publication, the Louisiana Bar Journal, is a bimonthly magazine containing substantive law articles and Association news. The October/November 2024 edition, “Focus on Accessibility and the Law,” that featured articles by DRLA attorneys and advocates, “…seeks…

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News & Events

Cover for annual report features dark blue, green, and light blue diagonal stripes in the upper left and lower right corners. Text reads "2025 Annual Report." Text at bottom reads "800-960-7705. Disabilityrightsla.org. In the upper left corner is the logo for Disability Rights Louisiana, featuring a blue figure at center with a green figure standing by it on each side. Underneath are the words "Protect. Advocate. Empower."

DRLA Releases FY25 Annual Report

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...

More >
Text reads, "We are hiring! Join our team. Open positions: Staff Attorney (PABBS) - 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, visit: https://disabilityrightsla.org/who-we-are/employment. The photo at right is of a young black woman with short hair in a gray striped sweater, smiling and using her wheelchair. A young black woman with long curly hair wearing glasses is standing crouched behind her, embracing her while she holds her left hand. The DRLA logo is at bottom right, a figure in blue supported by figures in green on each side. Underneath are the words "Protect. Advocate. Empower."

We are now hiring! Come join the DRLA team!

  DRLA is now hiring! Join our team of dedicated attorneys and advocates!   We are currently seeking applicants for the following positions:   Staff Attorney (PABSS)...

More >
Graphic on purple background with text that reads "We will be closed February 16 & 17. Happy Mardi Gras!" At the top of the graphic are mardi gras beads in purple, green, and gold acting as a border. At bottom right is the Disability Rights Louisiana logo--a figure in blue with a figure in green on each side over the words "Protect. Advocate. Empower."

DRLA Offices Will Be Closed February 16th and 17th for Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras! DRLA offices will be closed on Monday, February 16th, and Tuesday, February 17th—so any calls for assistance received during that time will have a...

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Image showing a snowy background against a blue sky. Text reads "We Will Be Closed December 19-26." Underneath is the logo for Disability Rights Louisiana featuring a blue figure at center offset by a green figure on each side.

DRLA Offices Will Be Closed December 19-26th

Happy Holidays! DRLA offices will be closing from December 19 through December 26, so any calls for assistance received during that time will have a delayed response....

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Image of diverse group of three young people talking outside in a campus setting. A man using a wheelchair at left talks to two friends having coffee.

Help Shape Our Work – Take DRLA’s Community Input Survey!

This is an opportunity for you to honestly tell us about the needs of individuals with disabilities throughout Louisiana, and how Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA) can help....

More >

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Conducts Accessibility Survey

Do you have an impairment that impacts your transit experience?   Do you face challenges when using RTA bus, ferry, streetcar, or paratransit service?   If so,...

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Image of two women in side by side video panels with captioned text reading "so good morning and thank you" underneath

DRLA Policy Analyst, Dr. Ashley Volion, Interviews New Orleans Mayoral & City Council Candidates on Disability Issues

As early voting for the October 11th Open Primary Elections in Orleans begins on September 27th, Disability Rights Louisiana is asking candidates running for Mayor and City...

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Louisiana Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Announces Public Briefings on the Role of Coroners in Involuntary Commitments in Louisiana

In a press release sent on September 8th, the U.S. Commission on Civl Rights announced that, "they will convene a series of public, web-based briefings to discuss...

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https://disabilityrightsla.org/who-we-are/priorities/

DRLA Priorities and Goals for FY ’25-26 Open For Comment

Every year we ask the community for feedback to help us decide what issues our community needs our help with the most. In the past, this has...

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Report cover with text at top left that reads "2024 Annual Impact Report." To the right is the DRLA logo,Circular logo for Disability Rights Louisiana, featuring a blue figure with a green figure to each side over the name and the words "Protect, Advocate, Empower." Four staff photos decorate the cover in a theme with blue, and green tiles.

DRLA Releases 2024 Annual Report

We are excited to share our 2024 Annual Report! This report presents the individual and systemic impacts we made to protect and empower Louisiana's disability community last...

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Cover of Louisiana Bar Journal magazine, featuring the scales of justice in a heavily blue tinted theme. The title reads "Focus on Accessibility and the Law"

DRLA Featured in Louisiana Bar Journal

The Louisiana State Bar Association’s publication, the Louisiana Bar Journal, is a bimonthly magazine containing substantive law articles and Association news. The October/November 2024 edition, “Focus on...

More >
Melanie Bray, a white woman with short brown hair, speaks at a podium in front of a courthouse. To her right is Lila Zucker, a woman wearing a knit cap, purple blazer, and using a wheelchair. To her right is Jesse Manley, a man with short dark hair wearing a blue suit

Court Watch NOLA Launches Groundbreaking Report on Orleans Parish Criminal District Court’s Mobile Phone Ban


Court Watch NOLA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness in New Orleans’ criminal court system, has released a comprehensive report today titled "Disconnected:...

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DRLA on Facebook

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Disability Rights Louisiana
14 hours ago
May 16 Louisiana Ele

May 16 Louisiana Election Day Hotline.

Accessible voting is your right.

Questions, concerns, or problems voting on election day as a person with a disability?

Call or text our May 16 Election Day Hotline at (504) 434-4680. ... See MoreSee Less

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Disability Rights Louisiana
1 day ago
May 16 Louisiana Ele

May 16 Louisiana Election Day Hotline

Accessible voting is your right.

Questions, concerns, or problems voting on election day as a person with a disability?

Call or text our May 16 Election Day Hotline at (504) 434-4680. ... See MoreSee Less

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Disability Rights Louisiana
2 days ago
Accessible voting is

Accessible voting is your right.

Questions, concerns, or problems voting in Louisiana as a person with a disability?

Please call us at 800-960-7705 or visit DisabilityRightsLA.org. ... See MoreSee Less

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