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Disability Rights Montana is a private non-profit civil rights organization whose mission is to protect and advocate for the rights of Montanans with disabilities. Disability Rights Montana seeks to hire an experienced Paralegal. The Paralegal works under the supervision of the Attorney Work Group to support and assist staff attorneys to carry out the legal priorities, objectives, and casework of the agency.

Applicant must be self-motivated, have the ability to problem solve through research, demonstrate proficient writing skills, have fluent computer knowledge, and be able to communicate effectively with people with disabilities, family members, and providers.

Applicant must also be familiar with Federal and Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal and Montana Rules of Evidence, Federal and Montana Uniform District Court Rules, local court rules, and applicable citation manuals.

Applicant must have a minimum of three years of qualifying experience, a diploma, degree, or certification in paralegal studies, or work equivalent.

Position is located in Helena, Montana.  Some travel may be required. Salary is commensurate with experience. A generous benefit package includes paid time off, 403(b) retirement plan, health, life, dental, vision, long term care insurance, and professional development.

Disability Rights Montana offers excellent benefits and competitive salary. Starting salary ranges from $44,000-$48,000 DOE.

Position will be open until filled. Please submit a letter of interest and resume to:

Katherine Murfitt
Director of Finance & Administration
1022 Chestnut Street
Helena, MT 59601

or by email to: Katherine@DisabilityRightsMT.org

Disability Rights Montana is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Disability Rights Montana, we work to protect every student’s right to safely access in-person education with their peers. Without masking in schools, many students with disabilities, and especially those with medical conditions putting them at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, are having to choose between their health and safety, and their education. Efforts to prevent masking in schools are putting children with disabilities at risk and preventing them from equally participating in their education.

The Office for Civil Rights is investigating states where governments have banned public schools from requiring students to wear masks. The bans on mask requirements, according to the OCR, may be preventing school districts from meeting the individual needs of students with disabilities or otherwise allowing discrimination based on disability, in violation of the law.[1]

If your child cannot wear a mask because of their disability, they have a right to an accommodation or modification of the school’s mask policies. You can request an accommodation from the School District for your child. We’ve provided a mask-specific request for reasonable accommodation form letter to help you with your request. If you feel your child has been discriminated against on the basis of their disability, please contact the Office for Civil Rights to file a complaint.

[1] Dear Superintendent Spearman, United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Re: OCR Docket #11-21-8901, Aug. 30, 2021.

Disability Rights Montana is seeking a volunteer attorney to serve on its Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Advisory Council (PAIMI Council). The PAIMI Council advises DRM on its priority and objectives in carrying out its responsibilities.

The PAIMI Council is comprised of mental health providers, individuals with mental illness and family members of people with mental ill.  The council meets four times a year. Please contact Bernie for more information at (406) 449-2344 or email at bernie@disabilityrightsmt.org

Click here to learn more about DRM

Click here for the application to apply

We Want to Hear From You!

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Program

PUBLIC FORUM

On April 20-22, 2021, representatives from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) will be conducting a virtual monitoring visit of Disability Rights Montana (DRM), the Protection and Advocacy System for the State of Montana.

SAMHSA/CMHS invites you to send comments about the PAIMI Program services and activities conducted by Disability Rights Montana.

Please send your comments to SAMHSA/CMHS by email to PAIMI@samhsa.hhs.gov or mail to the PAIMI Program Coordinator, SAMHSA/CMHS, 5600 Fishers Lane, Suite 14E25D, Rockville, Maryland 20857.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Bernadette Franks-Ongoy,
Executive Director
Email: bernie@disabilityrightsmt.org
Phone: (406) 449-2344