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 [...]
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 [...]
DRM’s Perspective: Rep. Zephyr (HD-100)
Disability Rights Montana condemns the actions of the Montana House of Representatives in unjustly taking from Rep. Zephyr (HD-100) what all other Representatives enjoy— the right to speak their mind on behalf of their constituents. [...]
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.
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