New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.

New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities

Advocating and advancing the human, civil and legal rights of persons with disabilities

Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR)

What is PAIR?

The PAIR program was created to ensure that individuals with disabilities who are not eligible for other protection and advocacy program services have access to advocacy services and legal representation offered by protection and advocacy programs.

The PAIR program was established by Congress as a national program under the Rehabilitation Act, as amended in 1993. Although PAIR is funded at a lower level than PADD and PAIMI, it represents an important component of a comprehensive system to advocate for the rights of all persons with disabilities. The system designated to serve as the PADD program in each state and territory is also responsible for operating the PAIR program.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA) administers the PAIR program.

PAIR Services

Individuals with disabilities often face significant problems related to employment discrimination, access to services, access to health care and medical insurance, access to housing and housing discrimination, access to appropriate and less restrictive residential placements, accommodations, transportation, and education.

The PAIR program at NJP&A provides comprehensive protection and advocacy services, including targeted outreach to traditionally underserved minority groups, and addresses individual and systemic issues by providing:

information and referral regarding available programs and services;
legal representation and non-legal advocacy;
technical assistance and advocacy services to assist individuals; and
education and training programs on disability rights and laws.

NJP&A will assist individuals with disabilities of all ages in understanding and protecting their rights, accessing available resources to achieve greater independence and integration into communities, and enhancing opportunities for increased productivity.

woman with guide dog

Who is Eligible for PAIR Services?

A person with a disability is eligible for PAIR's services if that individual is not eligible for assistance under the CAP, PAIMI or PADD programs.

Useful Links

New Jersey Department of Education
http://www.state.nj.us/education/

New Jersey Division of AIDS Prevention and Control
http://www.state.nj.us/health/aids/aidsprv.htm

New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddhh/index.html

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
http://thearc.org/ga/idea97.html

National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. (NCLD)
http://www.ncld.org

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NJP&A encourages the widest possible sharing of news and information regarding the rights of people with disabilities. All material published in this website may be redistributed. We encourage you to let us know when you do at advocate@njpanda.org.