Disability Rights California

Mission Statement

Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.

Values:

DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. To be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.

DEI Statement:

DRC pledges to ensure diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in all we do by fostering a shared culture that promotes accepting, respecting, and valuing differences that include attributes such as age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, language, family circumstances and cultural backgrounds.

Programs/Services:

Advocacy and Community Engagement/ California Office of Patients’ Rights/ Client Assistance Program, Consumer Assistance, Payee Review, and Investigations/ Legal Advocacy/ Office of Clients Rights Advocacy/ Peer Self-Advocacy/ Work Incentives Planning and Assistance/ Mental Health/Home & Community-Based Services/ Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities/ Regional Center Services/ Mental Health & Criminal Justice Detention Facilities

Ideal Candidate:

Disability Rights California’s work is guided by a board, which values diversity of culture, disability, and other life experiences. Board members work together to set DRC’s strategic direction, establish the budget and policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of our work, We are looking for members who embrace what DRC stands for, are leaders in their community, have a strong connection to the disability community, are engaged and able to actively participate in board and committee meetings, and will work toward ensuring that DRC is focused on enhancing its services to people living with disabilities.

Why you should consider joining this board:

DRC is the largest disability rights advocacy group in the nation, established by federal law to protect and advocate for Californians with disabilities. Last year, we assisted more than 24,000 individuals, and hundreds of thousands more benefited from our systems litigation, policy work, training, and publications. Read more about our work at https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/2024-annual-report

You can help us create a barrier-free, inclusive, diverse world where Californians with disabilities enjoy equal rights, dignity, choice, independence, and freedom from abuse, neglect, and discrimination.

Fundraising/Financial Commitment:

While we do not require board members to make personal financial contributions, we do expect them to play an active role in our fundraising efforts. This includes identifying new funding opportunities, introducing potential donors to the organization, and helping to ensure our long-term financial sustainability.

Additional Information:

The timeline for the 2025 recruitment period will begin with the collection of applications between now and September 30, 2025, conducting interviews in October/November 2025, and conclude with new member appointments in February 2026.

To Apply:

Year Founded:

1978

Service Region(s):

National, Statewide

Service Area(s):

Access to Justice, Children & Youth, Civil Rights, Consumer Protection and Economic Justice, Disability Rights, Disaster Relief, Education, Elder Law, Health Care Access, Housing, Immigration, Impact Litigation/Advocacy, LGBTQ+ Rights, Racial Justice, Reentry Work, Veterans, Workers Rights

Annual Revenue:

$10 million – $25 million

Employees:

251-500

Board Members:

16-20

Length of Board Term:

2 three (3)-year terms, no member can serve more than 6 consecutive years.

Board Meeting Type:

Hybrid (both virtual and in-person)

Service Per Month Expected:

Less than 5 hours

Board Meetings Per Year:

Minimum of four (4)