Application

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1. Check Resources

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2. Request Help

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Application

3. Application

Complete an online application. Faster than calling us.*

4. Confirmation

DRNC will respond to your request.

Loss of NC IOLTA funding forced DRNC to reduce our staff, and our future funding remains uncertain. Even with these challenges, we have decided to move forward and take a limited number of new cases for legal representation. We must be selective about the cases we can accept, and our response times may be slower than usual.

DRNC is still here to help. If we are not able to take your case, we will continue to provide information, resources, referrals, and self-advocacy tools – the kind of support many people rely on from us every day. These services remain free and available statewide.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this difficult period, and remain committed to protecting the rights of people with disabilities across North Carolina.

Online Application for Help

Step 1 of 6

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Complete this application online or call us

Completing this application is typically faster than our average phone wait times.
If you prefer to call, DRNC's intake phone number is: 919-856-2195.

Office hours

Our intake hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm. If you need an accommodation, please call our office to make your request.

Report abuse or neglect in facilities

DRNC's Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 919-856-2195 and select option 7.

Your Name(Required)

First Name Last Name

Your Phone(Required)

What is the best day / time to reach you?(Required)

Please provide a few options.

Applicant Type(Required)

I am a person with a disability, and I am contacting Disability Rights NC about a problem I am having.

I am the legal guardian of a person with a disability, and I am contacting Disability Rights NC about a problem facing the person for whom I am the guardian.

I am reporting an allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a person with a disability.

Other

Please describe.(Required)

We are only able to help persons with a disability or persons with legal authority to make decisions on behalf of a person with a disability. We cannot help you if you are contacting us regarding a person with a disability and you do not have legal authority to make decisions on that person’s behalf. Please have the person with a disability or their legal guardian contact us. If you are a professional working in a disability field and are contacting us for information or technical assistance, please continue to fill out this form.

Do you need any accommodations to conduct an intake?(Required)

Yes

*We take reports of abuse or neglect of a person with a disability from anyone. We are required by federal law to keep the name of the person who is reporting confidential.*

I need help with:(Required)

If you do not see the issue you need help with, it is because it is not an area practiced by DRNC attorneys. Issues we cannot help with include: SSI/SSDI eligibility, custody issues, criminal law, and personal injury. See the full list here.

Abuse/neglect of children in school

Abuse/neglect/exploitation/rights violations of adults or children by service providers

Restriction of rights by guardians

Barriers to community access

Denial of Medicaid services needed to live in the community

Employment discrimination

Exclusion from school

Housing discrimination

NC jails and prisons - mental health care or failure to accommodate disabilities

SSA Representative Payee exploitation

Voting challenges

Other

Who is your employer?(Required)

Does your employer have 15 or more employees?(Required)

Yes

What is your job position?(Required)

We are sorry, but Title I of the ADA only applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Because we largely focus on ADA issues in employment, you may consider speaking with another employment attorney if you would like legal advice about your matter.

Do you already receive job accommodations? If so, what are they?(Required)

How long ago did the alleged mistreatment happen?(Required)

Within the last 180 days

Longer than 180 days ago

We are sorry that we are unable to assist because the deadline to file an EEOC charge under Title I of the ADA is 180 days.

Have you been denied a reasonable accommodation at work?(Required)

Yes

Additional Information(Required)

Please explain the accommodation requested, how it is connected to your disability-related needs and job duties, whether you submitted a reasonable accommodation in writing, and your employer’s reasoning for the denial.

Have you been terminated, demoted, or experienced any other adverse action or harassment because of your disability?(Required)

Yes

Additional Information(Required)

Please explain how the adverse action or harassment was because of your disability. Please also share how either your coworkers or employer knew about your disability.

Do you work in a segregated environment with only people with disabilities and make less than minimum wage?(Required)

Yes

What is your wage?(Required)

Have you filed a formal charge with the EEOC, meaning you have already submitted the initial inquiry and completed the EEOC interview OR you mailed in your own written charge?(Required)

(Please note that the initial online inquiry or phone call to the EEOC is typically not the formal charge.)

Yes

Do you already have a right to sue letter?(Required)

Yes

What is the date on the right to sue letter?(Required)

Month

Day

Year

When did you file with the EEOC?(Required)

Month

Day

Year

Do you receive SSI or SSDI?(Required)

Education

1. Does your child have an IEP or 504 Plan?(Required)

Yes

We are not able to assist. Please ask our virtual assistant or visit our resources online: Resources.

2. Is this a private school?(Required)

Yes

We are not able to assist. You may review Duke Law’s Parent Guide for Special Education in NC for more information: Duke Law’s Parent’s Guide to Special Education.

3. Has your child been suspended from school more than 10 days this school year, including informal suspensions, such as early pick-ups?(Required)

Yes

3.a Were the suspensions based on your child’s disability-related behaviors? If yes, how so?(Required)

Yes

3.a.i Please explain.(Required)

We are sorry, but we only assist with disability-based exclusion from school.

4. Has the public school placed your child on a modified day school schedule (shortened day) against your wishes?(Required)

Yes

4.a Was the decision based on your child’s disability?(Required)

Yes

4.a.i Please explain.(Required)

We are sorry, but we only assist with disability-based exclusion from school.

5. Has the public school placed your child on homebound against your wishes?(Required)

Yes

5.a Was the decision based on your child’s disability?(Required)

Yes

5.a.i Please explain.(Required)

We are sorry, but we only assist with disability-based exclusion from school.

6. Does your child have pending or recent juvenile court charges for an incident that happened at school?(Required)

Yes

6.a. Were the charges related to your child’s disability?(Required)

Yes

6.a.i Please explain.(Required)

We are sorry, but we only assist with disability-related juvenile court charges.

7. Has the public school placed your child in an alternative school against your wishes?(Required)

Yes

7.a. Was the decision based on your child’s disability?(Required)

Yes

7.a.i Please explain.(Required)

We are sorry, but we only help with disability-related alternative school placements.

8. Has the public school placed your child in a virtual school placement against your wishes?(Required)

Yes

8.a. Was the decision based on your child’s disability?(Required)

Yes

8.a.i Please explain.(Required)

We are sorry, but we only help with disability-related virtual school placements.

1. Are you, or the person with a disability, currently in a North Carolina jail or prison (not a federal facility)?(Required)

Yes

We are sorry, but we are unable to assist with issues regarding federal incarceration. We also are unable to take on lawsuits or provide direct assistance to those no longer incarcerated.

2. Is there an issue with not receiving healthcare in a NC jail or prison for the person with a disability?(Required)

Yes

2.a. Has the incarcerated person filed a medical grievance?(Required)

Yes

2.a.i Has the incarcerated person filed an appeal to the denial of their medical grievance?(Required)

Yes

2.a.i.1 Was the appeal denied? Or has it been more than 30 days since the appeal was filed?(Required)

Yes

This is in-target. Once you submit your application, we will review and evaluate if we have capacity to provide direct assistance.

Please wait at least 30 days after submitting the grievance. It may be helpful to review our factsheet to see if there are other avenues of advocacy that you or a friend could pursue: Resources for Accessing Medical Care in NC Prisons and Jails .

2.a.i.2 We suggest that the incarcerated person file an appeal of the medical grievance denial. See our factsheet: Filing a Grievance in NC Jails or Prisons. If the person’s appeal is denied OR is not responded to after 30 days, you may contact us again at that point.

2.a.i.2 Has the facility not responded to the grievance and it has been more than 30 days since it was submitted?(Required)

Yes

This is in-target. Once you submit your application, we will review and evaluate if we have capacity to provide direct assistance.

2.a.ii Please review our factsheet to learn how to file a medical grievance: Filing a Grievance in NC Jails or Prisons. We are unable to assist unless all the grievance and appeal steps have taken place to allow the facility to address the issue.

3. Is there an issue regarding not receiving a reasonable accommodation for a disability-related need in a NC jail or prison?(Required)

Yes

3.a Has the incarcerated person filed a grievance in the jail, or an ADA form in the prison?(Required)

Yes

3.a.i Has the incarcerated person filed an appeal to the denial of their ADA reasonable accommodation request?(Required)

Yes

3.a.i.1 Was the appeal denied? Or has it been more than 30 days since the appeal was filed?(Required)

Yes

This is in-target. Once you submit your application requesting help, we will review and evaluate if we have the capacity to provide direct assistance.

Please wait at least 30 days after submitting your reasonable accommodation request. It may be helpful to review our factsheet to see if there are other avenues of advocacy that you or a friend could pursue: Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Disability in NC Prisons (DAC Facilities) .

We suggest that the incarcerated person file an appeal of the denial. See our factsheet: Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Disability in NC Prisons (DAC Facilities) . If the person’s appeal is denied OR is not responded to after 30 days, you may contact us again at that point.

3.a.i.2 Has the facility not responded to the initial ADA reasonable accommodation request and it has been more than 30 days since it was submitted?(Required)

Yes

This is in-target. Once you submit your application requesting help, we will review and evaluate if we have the capacity to provide direct assistance.

4. Are you or the person with a disability currently waiting in jail to be evaluated for capacity at a state psychiatric hospital (Cherry, Broughton, Central Regional) to determine if you/the person is incapable to proceed to trial?(Required)

Yes

This is in-target. Once you submit your application, we will review and evaluate if we have capacity to provide direct assistance.

5. Are you currently found Incapable to Proceed or Incompetent, and are being held in jail while waiting for space at a state psychiatric hospital in order to restore capacity for trial?(Required)

Yes

This is in-target. Once you submit your application, we will review and evaluate if we have capacity to provide direct assistance.

1. Have you been denied a reasonable accommodation/modification by a housing provider ( i.e., service/comfort/assistance/emotional support animal, early lease termination, transfer to another unit, ramp, grab bars, widening doorways, lowering counter spaces)?(Required)

Yes

1.a Was the reasonable accommodation/modification request given in writing?(Required)

Yes

Please have a copy available.

We suggest you make a request in writing. See our website for sample letters: Requesting Housing Accommodations – Sample Letter.

2. Are you experiencing disability-based harassment in housing (i.e., from your landlord, property manager, neighbor, HOA, etc.)(Required)

Yes

2.a Please explain.(Required)

3. Are you being evicted because of your disability?(Required)

Yes

3.a Have you received a court summons for an eviction?(Required)

Yes

3.a.i What does Box 3 of the summons say for the reason of your eviction?(Required)

3.a.ii Please explain why you believe you are being evicted or will be soon?(Required)

4. Is your eviction due to non-payment of rent?(Required)

Yes

4.a We are unable to assist. However, do you consent to us referring your case to another legal service provider?(Required)

Yes, DRNC will make the referral.

5. Were you denied housing (e.g., an apartment application) because of your disability, and not due to your source of income?(Required)

Yes

5.a Please explain.(Required)

6. Are you contacting us about your landlord failing to make repairs, like water leaks or mold issues?(Required)

Yes

That is not an issue we help with. We suggest that you contact Legal Aid of NC at (866)-219-5262.

Please describe the problem you are having (Part 1).(Required)

Please describe the problem you are having (Part 2).(Required)

How have you tried to resolve your problem?(Required)

Do you have any deadlines?(Required)

Yes

I don't know

Describe any deadlines you have.(Required)

(If you have a deadline to appeal a decision, you should appeal that decision before the deadline. Do not wait for Disability Rights NC to contact you before submitting an appeal.)

What are you hoping DRNC can help you with?(Required)

Is there anything else you would like us to know?(Required)

How did you hear about Disability Rights NC?(Required)

Other(Required)

Contact information

Please provide your contact information:

Your Address(Required)

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Your County(Required)

Your Email(Required)

What is the best time/day to reach you?(Required)

If you are contacting us about someone with a disability, provide their name.(Required)

First Last

Their Address(Required)

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Their County(Required)

Their Phone

Demographic Information

We ask for this information as part of our grant requirements. We need to report the demographics of the people we help. This information is not shared or used for any other reason.

Please complete all questions below for the person with the disability

Birthdate(Required)

Diagnosis / Disability(Required)

What is your annual household income?

This can be an estimation. This information is required for reporting to support the grants that help us continue to provide help for our communities.

$0 - $10,000

$10, 001 - $20,000

$20,001 - $30,000

$30,001 - $40,000

$40,001 - $50,000

$50,001 - $60,000

$60,001 - $100,000

More than $100,000

Number of people in your household?(Required)

Please enter a number from 1 to 100.

Race(Required)

Ethnicity(Required)

Add me to DRNC's mailing list? (Optional)

Yes, add me

Email(Required)

Were you referred to Disability Rights NC by someone?

Yes

Who referred you?

Please include the person or organization's name. If you are an attorney or advocate requesting technical assistance, you may indicate that here.

Online Intake Closed

Our offices are closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 5, 2026.

If you or someone you know with a disability needs to report abuse or neglect in a facility, please call +919-856-2195 and dial 7.

If you are having a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately.

For general information and resources, please visit disabilityrightsnc.org. You can also use the “Ask a Question” feature on our website, where our Virtual Assistant will search Disability Rights North Carolina’s library of resources to help answer common questions.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, the North Carolina Peer Warmline is a free, confidential service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-855-PEERS NC (1-855-733-7762).

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

Check Resources

Report abuse or neglect

To report abuse or neglect in a facility, call 919-856-2195 and select option 7.

Medicaid / SSI / SSDI

Get help with Medicaid / SSI / SSDI eligibility, applications, benefits, denials or appeals.

View Resource

Application

Online Application for Help

Complete this application online or call us

Office hours

Report abuse or neglect in facilities

Education

Contact information

Demographic Information

Online Intake Closed

Report abuse or neglect

Medicaid / SSI / SSDI

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