Home2024-01-23T17:38:21-07:00

Our recent happenings

Modern-day Lynching of Black Man on New York Train

Words by Disability Rights New York Jordan Neely was murdered in NYC on the F train Monday May 1, 2023. As the written accounts of this public, modern-day, lynching have been reported on, we are faced with the 4-minute-long [...]

May 8th, 2023|Categories: Blog, Racial Equity|

Press Release: Unanimous Support for SB 4 in Montana Legislature – Disability Rights Montana Urges Governor’s Signature

Press release in pdf format HELENA, MT – In a remarkable display of unity, the Montana Legislature has voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), a critical piece of legislation designed to improve Montana’s mental health system [...]

May 6th, 2023|Categories: Legislature, Press Release|Tags: |

Protecting and advocating on behalf of Montanan’s

with disabilities for over 40 years.

Before 1977, the rights of people with disabilities were being largely ignored in insititutions and were removed from the community. In 1977, the Protections and Advocacy system was established in each state to overlook and protect the rights of these citizens. In the beginning, we had only one funding source. In those early years, DD MAP – as we were then known – contracted its legal services with two Helena attorneys, and concentrated solely on providing advocacy and legal services to people with developmental disabilities.

Today, Disability Rights Montana employs an executive director, four attorneys, five advocates, a paralegal, a data coordinator, a finance/administration director, and an office coordinator. In March 2008, we changed our name from Montana Advocacy Program to Disability Rights Montana. The change better reflects what we do and whom we serve.

Disability Rights Montana Executive Director focused in center of picture. She has grey hair and a purple jacket. She is sitting at a table, speaking into a microphone.

Bernadette Franks-Ongoy, executive director of Disability Rights Montana, center, speaks during a special meeting of the Children, Families, Health and Human Services Committee regarding the Montana State Hospital on Friday, March 4, 2022 in the Montana state Capitol.
Photo: Thom Bridge, Helena Independent Record

Go to Top