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Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR)

Program Description

The PAIR program supports the protection and advocacy system in each state to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities. In order to be eligible for advocacy services from the PAIR program, an individual with a disability must meet three criteria:

  1. The individual's concern must be beyond the scope of the Client Assistance Program (see # 84.161A, also under topical heading Rehabilitation), which is authorized under Sec. 112 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  2. The individual must be ineligible for services from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Protection and Advocacy of Developmental Disabilities (PADD) program (authorized under Part C of the DD Act).
  3. The individual also must be ineligible for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program of HHS (authorized under the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act).

Each PAIR program must set annual priorities and objectives to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in each state. Although the objectives and priorities vary from state to state to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in each state, most PAIR programs set priorities and objectives aimed at reducing barriers to education, employment, transportation, and housing. In addition, PAIR programs advocate on behalf of individuals with significant disabilities to promote community integration and full participation in society.

Types of Projects

 

Eligible systems have the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies or approaches to protect and advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Protection and advocacy systems may be housed in public or private entities as designated by the governor.

 

Program Eligibility
Who May Apply: (specifically) Protection and Advocacy Systems as established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000.
Program Contact
Samuel Pierre
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
PCP, Room 5098
Washington, DC 20202
Phone: 202-245-6488
Email: samuel.pierre@ed.gov
Funding type
Formula Grants
CFDA code
84.24

Legislation, Regulations, and Sub-Regulatory Guidance

Legislation

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by title IV of WIOA

SEC. 509. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

Regulations

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, Part 381 — Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights

See also Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and Other Applicable Grant Regulations

Sub-Regulatory Guidance related to PAIR Information Collections

RSA-509: Instructions and Information Collection 

DCL-20-01: Revised Instructions for Completing SF-425 for CAP, OIB, and PAIR

PD-05-01: Liquidation of Obligations Under RSA’s Formula Grants

Frequently Asked Questions on Period of Performance for Formula Grant Awards

Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR)

CFDA Number: 84.240
Program Type: Formula Grants

Program Description

The PAIR program supports the protection and advocacy system in each state to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities. In order to be eligible for advocacy services from the PAIR program, an individual with a disability must meet three criteria:

  1. The individual's concern must be beyond the scope of the Client Assistance Program, which is authorized under Sec. 112 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  2. The individual must be ineligible for services from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Protection and Advocacy of Developmental Disabilities program (authorized under Part C of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and the Bill of Rights Act of 2000).
  3. The individual also must be ineligible for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness program of HHS (authorized under the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act).

Each PAIR program must set annual priorities and objectives to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in each state. Although the objectives and priorities vary from state to state to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in each state, most PAIR programs set priorities and objectives aimed at reducing barriers to education, employment, transportation, and housing. In addition, PAIR programs advocate on behalf of individuals with significant disabilities to promote community integration and full participation in society. Eligible systems have the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies or approaches to protect and advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Eligibility 

Protection and Advocacy Systems, as established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, may apply. Protection and Advocacy Systems may be housed in public or private entities as designated by the governor.

RSA-509 Report

PAIR programs will report the RSA-509 (OMB Control #: 1820-0627) for FFY 2021 using the below: 

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