Enforce Civil Rights
Expand Opportunities
Empower People With Disabilities
CPR uses legal strategies, advocacy, and policy to promote the integration and full community participation of people with disabilities and all others who are devalued in today’s society.
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Litigation
Expanding and protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
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Advocacy
Stay current on disability issues, educate yourself about the impact of proposed policy changes, and learn how to take action.
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SSI/SSDI
Representing individuals in western Massachusetts (Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties) who have been denied Social Security disability benefits.
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Supported Decision-Making
Learn about SDM, read how SDM transforms lives, and become a participant, supporter or advocate.
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COVID-19Get up-to-date resources on COVID-19 and its impact on people with disabilities, including information on the latest policy developments, medical rationing, and Medicaid.
News
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September 20, 2020The Center for Public Representation mourns the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away on September 18 at the age of 87. Throughout her life, Justice Ginsburg was a champion for justice and equality for all, including people with disabilities. Her work has and will continue to better the lives of people with disabilities around the country for years to come.
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September 17, 2020Today, the US Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) released its report regarding Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which allows people with disabilities to be paid subminimum wages, often pennies on the dollar, in segregated settings where they don’t interact with their nondisabled peers. We commend the Commission for its recommendation to end the use of Section 14(c) and expand access to competitive integrated employment – jobs in the community where people with disabilities work alongside, are paid the same wages, and have the same opportunities as their co-workers without disabilities.
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August 20, 2020Today, amidst rampant spread of COVID-19 infection throughout the country, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the resolution of a federal complaint filed by CPR and partners against Utah. Today’s resolution sets a national precedent, with OCR building off earlier resolutions of complaints regarding plans in Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee and weighing in on the discriminatory impact of a number of provisions common in many states’ rationing plans.
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August 4, 2020Join us today, August 4, for a call-in day to urge the Senate to include funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) in the coronavirus relief bill being negotiated. Even if you’ve called or emailed before, or shared your HCBS story on social media, please contact your Senators again. They need to hear from all of us and they need to hear from us NOW!
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July 27, 2020The Senate has released a new coronavirus relief package, the HEALS Act, that fails to address the disability community’s most urgent priorities. We need everyone to take action and push your Senators to include our priorities in the relief package that ultimately passes the Senate, so please contact them now!