Budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2026 circulating Washington threaten to dismantle crucial disability advocacy programs essential to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and older adults.

Drastic cuts endanger the existence of Protection and Advocacy (P&As) organizations like Disability Rights New Jersey, and our counterparts in every state and territory across the nation.

For more than 30 years, Disability Rights New Jersey has fought for justice and to ensure access to necessary services for people with disabilities. We advocate to:

• ensure children receive the education to which they are entitled
• assist in obtaining and maintaining employment
• ensure that polling places are accessible
• provide rights-based education
• empower people with disabilities to advocate for policy reform that improves the lives of all New Jerseyans.

 
No other agencies do what P&As can do. Our access authority means that we are uniquely qualified to investigate abuse and neglect across New Jersey, make unannounced visits to facilities to monitor the safety of disability services, and expose fraud and financial exploitation. Without P&As, people with disabilities will lose civil rights and once again become vulnerable to tragedies and mistreatment at the hands of institutions.

According to the National Disability Rights Network, P&A systems serve as the largest provider of legally-based advocacy services to people with disabilities in America. In 2020 alone, these organizations collectively handled over 24,000 cases nationwide. The impact of these services cannot be overstated as they provide a lifeline to countless individuals who might otherwise be overlooked by systems designed to support them.

Additionally, reported figures indicate that the demand for these services continues to grow. In New Jersey, for example, Disability Rights New Jersey received over 2,700 requests for assistance in a single year, underlining the critical nature of our work. Reducing funding for these services would not only hinder progress in disability rights but also exacerbate the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing justice and equality.

We call upon policymakers in Washington to immediately oppose and reverse these funding cuts and preserve the essential functions of disability advocacy programs. Protecting the rights and dignities of individuals with disabilities should never be optional—it is a fundamental responsibility. Join us in urging our representatives to take action and reinstate the funding needed to sustain these vital services.

Sign this petition to unite with us and fight for disability rights and ensure that P&As such as Disability Rights New Jersey continue to support our communities effectively and compassionately.

Every voice matters. Every signature counts.