Disability Rights Montana provides information and referral, individual advocacy, legal representation, outreach and training…
If you need assistance beyond our self help resources, schedule an appointment with us.
Disability Rights Montana depends on individuals such as yourself for sharing important information and funding our work.
Our recent happenings
Press Release: DRM selects Tal Goldin as inaugural Director of Advocacy
Disability Rights Montana (DRM) selects Tal Goldin as inaugural Director of Advocacy HELENA, MT – Disability Rights Montana is excited to announce the selection of Tal Goldin as its inaugural Director of Advocacy, leading DRM’s day-to-day programmatic work. [...]
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda – September 30, 2023
AGENDA Board of Directors Meeting September 30, 2023 - 9:00am - 3:00pm 9:00am Call to Order Notice of Meeting Conflict of Interest Check Approval of Minutes Donna Gleaves 9:15am Introductions 9:45am Executive Committee Report Donna Gleaves 10:00am PAIMI [...]
Press Release: Disability Rights Montana (DRM) selects new Executive Director, expresses gratitude to retiring Executive Director
Press release in PDF format FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, September 1, 2023 Contact: Katherine Murfitt Position: Director of Administration and Finance Organization: Disability Rights Montana Email: Katherine@DisabilityRightsMT.org Phone: (406) 441-4822 Disability Rights Montana (DRM) selects new Executive Director, expresses [...]
Protecting and advocating on behalf of Montanan’s
with disabilities for over 40 years.
Before 1977, the rights of people with disabilities were being largely ignored in insititutions and were removed from the community. In 1977, the Protections and Advocacy system was established in each state to overlook and protect the rights of these citizens. In the beginning, we had only one funding source. In those early years, DD MAP – as we were then known – contracted its legal services with two Helena attorneys, and concentrated solely on providing advocacy and legal services to people with developmental disabilities.
Today, Disability Rights Montana employs an executive director, four attorneys, five advocates, a paralegal, a data coordinator, a finance/administration director, and an office coordinator. In March 2008, we changed our name from Montana Advocacy Program to Disability Rights Montana. The change better reflects what we do and whom we serve.
Bernadette Franks-Ongoy, executive director of Disability Rights Montana, center, speaks during a special meeting of the Children, Families, Health and Human Services Committee regarding the Montana State Hospital on Friday, March 4, 2022 in the Montana state Capitol.
Photo: Thom Bridge, Helena Independent Record