Current positions:

Community Engagement Coordinator

Civil Rights & Integration Attorney

Special Education Fellowship

Those interested in applying should send a resume and cover letter to our Human Resources department by email at hr@disabilityrightsohio.org

Community Engagement Coordinator

Reports to: Policy Director

Position Summary:

To coordinate and support advocates with disabilities throughout the state and efforts made to increase the visibility of DRO’s programs and community awareness.

Core Functions:

Empowerment and Support:

• Empower and support advocates with disabilities to be engaged in policy and advocacy work
• Coordinate and facilitate self-advocacy meetings.
• Actively participate in community advocacy and coalition activities.
• Communicate with advocates with disabilities on various outreach, education and funding opportunities on a regular basis.
• Coordinate self-advocate contract work through DRO’s various grant programs.

Administrative Support:

• Develop and maintain a database for advocates with disabilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Work to outline, research, and develop any relevant material to increase advocate support.

Communication and Community Advancement:

Represent positions and interests on issues before government agencies, coalitions, and public bodies.
Communicate to advocates with disabilities about ongoing policy proposals including legislation and administrative rules
Engage with members of DRO’s Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council.
Coordinate advocacy efforts under select DRO grants as needed.

Skills Needed

• Ability to plan and organize events and meetings.
• Basic understanding of the Ohio Legislative Process
• Basic understanding of Ohio’s disability services systems (developmental disabilities, Medicaid, mental health, etc.)
• Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and other computer software.
• Strong commitment to DRO’s mission and the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and be discreet with highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong and effective writing and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate in a concise manner.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Reliability and ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate meetings, events and other work duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least two years working with organizing advocates with disabilities (required)
• Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

Desired Abilities

• A candidate having lived experience accessing disability services (e.g., DD or mental health) in one or more systems.
• Understanding of issues impacting people with disabilities.
• Exercises sound judgement and effective communication methods for a variety of individuals.

*** Please note that DRO does not require any candidates to disclose a disability recognized by the ADA. This job directly pertains to connecting with individuals with disabilities or advocating on their behalf, so any candidate who has had direct experience to receive disability services are strongly encouraged to apply.***

Civil Rights & Integration Attorney

Job description

The Attorney provides legal advice to Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) clients, conducts legal research and prepares legal memoranda as needed, engages in individual representation and complex litigation, participates in community outreach and policy determination on disability issues.

Essential Job Duties

• Provides legal advice, consultation and research on general issues to DRO clients, receives and investigates complaints regarding civil and human rights of DRO clients and negotiates resolution, settlement and litigation of legal matters.
• Conducts legal research and prepares legal briefs, memoranda and pleadings on complex litigation on behalf of Disability Rights Ohio.
• Prepares cases for trial and independently tries cases in state and federal courts, examines witnesses, presents legal arguments and evidence and handles appeals for DRO clients.
• Reviews provider rules, programs and policies for client’s rights implications.
• Works in cooperation with other program staff, answers inquiries and provides referrals and technical assistance concerning client’s rights to government officials and the general public.
• Performs related legal and administrative work (e.g. serves subpoenas, prepares reports and maintain records, including time logs in cases where attorney fees are available).
• Confers with team leaders, administrators and other attorneys concerning difficult legal problems.
• Attends conferences and participates in continuing legal education.
• Conducts intakes as assigned.
• Writes publications and conducts public speaking to clients and related groups as assigned.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of law school and admission to Ohio Bar and admitted or eligible for admission to the Northern and Southern District Courts, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Commitment to mission of the P & A and to the civil rights of all people.
• Understanding of and commitment to client directed advocacy.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication and computer literacy.
• Ability to work with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds and abilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to deal effectively with and negotiate through confrontational situations and stressful interactions.
• Ability to travel.

Job Type

• Full-time

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule

• Monday to Friday

Special Education Fellowship

Job Description

Disability Rights Ohio is pleased to announce the Special Education Fellowship in Special Education Advocacy. The Special Education Fellowship position is a one-year fellowship that will begin as soon as it is filled. The fellowship may be extended contingent on continued funding. The Special Education Fellowship is a paid position.

The Special Education Fellow will be employed by and directly support the Education Team at Disability Rights Ohio, a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio. The Fellow will provide advocacy to students with disabilities who are eligible for an Individualized Education Program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Fellow will counsel parents and their children, and attend IEP meetings with families in schools in Franklin and surrounding counties (Central Ohio area). The Fellow will receive supervision from the Education Team Leader at Disability Rights Ohio.

The fellow must have a Juris Doctor, and take the Ohio bar exam in July 2023, or be recently admitted to the practice of law in Ohio as a licensed attorney.

As an employee of Disability Rights Ohio, the designated system under federal and state law to protect and advocate the rights of people with disabilities in Ohio (P&A), the Fellow will demonstrate:

• Commitment to the mission of the P&A and to the civil rights of all people.
• Understanding of and commitment to client directed advocacy.
• Ability to work with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to manage multiple priorities and meet court or other deadlines.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication, computer literacy.
• Ability to take direction and work with teams of agency professionals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to hr@disabilityrightsohio.org.

*Deadline to submit applications: The application period is open and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.