Frequently
Asked Questions
What does DRNJ
do?
DRNJ
is a non-profit organization that provides advocacy services to
people with disabilities. DRNJ provides information and referral,
technical assistance and training, legal and non-legal advocacy,
and outreach and education.
Who is eligible
to receive services?
You could
be eligible to receive services from DRNJ if:
-
you have
a disability;
-
you have
a problem related to your disability (such as, discrimination
or denial of services); and
-
your issue/problem
falls within agency priorities.
How long does
it take before I hear from someone?
The Intake
Unit is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday,
and includes Spanish speaking staff. Messages that are left on the
Intake Unit voice mail system are returned within twenty-four hours.
E-mails, faxes and written correspondence are reviewed twice weekly
to provide information and referral or to request further information
to complete an intake. Walk-ins are addressed immediately.
How will DRNJ
decide whether to represent me?
In deciding
whether DRNJ will represent you, DRNJ will consider:
-
The merits
of your claim;
-
Whether
your problem falls within one of the priority areas; and
-
The availability
of agency resources.
What is the process?
In order
to determine whether DRNJ can assist, you must contact the Intake
Unit. The Intake Unit can be reached by telephone, in writing, by
fax, e-mail or in person. The Intake Unit will need to obtain information
from you about your issue, as well as, other supporting information.
The information you provide to the Intake Unit will be reviewed
and a decision regarding our assistance can be expected within 5
- 7 business days.
What if I don't
agree with the decision?
As a
client of DRNJ, or someone requesting services from DRNJ, you have
the right to file a grievance if you believe that DRNJ has wrongly
denied you assistance with a disability-related matter. If you disagree
with the decision not to accept your request for assistance or not
to provide further advocacy or legal representation, you may request
an appeal by calling or writing DRNJ's Appeal Coordinator at the
address or telephone number listed on our Home Page.
Visit
the Intake Program
page for our Grievance and Appeal policy.
Does DRNJ charge
a fee for service?
Our services
are currenlty provided free of charge, but through your generosity
we hope to further our mission to advocate and advance the human,
civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in New Jersey.
We ask
that you consider a donation of $25 or more if you can. Your donation
is tax-deductible.
What does ADA
stand for?
ADA stands
for the Americans with Disabilities Act. A list of commonly used
acronyms can be found on our Publications
page.
