What is Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD)?

PADD is a program operated by Co-Ad, Inc., a nonprofit legal services organization.

If you have a developmental or physical disability and feel you are being abused, neglected or denied your legal rights because of your disability, Co-Ad, Inc. may be able to help you.

Who is Eligible for PADD Services?

PADD services are available to people who have a severe and chronic developmental or physical disability ...

Whose disability began prior to age 22.

Whose disability substantially limits their abilities in three or more of the following life activities:

• Self-Care
• Language
• Learning
• Mobility
• Self-Direction
• Independent Living
• Economic Self-Sufficiency

Or, who is a child (birth to age five) who has substantial developmental delays or specific congenital or acquired conditions which have a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services are not provided.

What Kind of Services Does PADD Offer?

We are advocates and lawyers who can work for you. We are not mental health professionals. Co-Ad is not a government agency. All requests are kept strictly confidential.

Co-Ad provides the following services ...

• Information and Referral: A referral to another agency or information on your rights.
• Short Term Assistance: Discussions with you to help you resolve the problem. This may include, self-advocacy coaching, explaining the system, or providing legal advice.
• Administrative Remedies: Appealing a decision within an agency or facility without going to court.
• Negotiation/Mediation: Participation in discussions with an agency or facility to resolve your problem.
• Legal Services: Representation by an attorney in a court of law.

What Should I Do?

Contact us and tell us if you (or someone you know) have:

• Been denied appropriate services or benefits; or
• Experienced abuse and/or neglect; or
• Suffered discrimination or had rights violated because of a disability.

If you want our help ...

• Call any Co-Ad office. A secretary or an advocate will help you apply for our services over the phone. Each office has a TDD.
• Write to any Co-Ad office. Tell us how we may contact you.
• Visit any Co-Ad office. An advocate will help you fill out an application.

What is Co-Ad?

Co-Ad, Inc. is a nonprofit legal services organization which manages several programs designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

Co-Ad, Inc. was founded in 1977. The Governor has named Co-Ad, Inc. to be Idaho's Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities.

Due to limited funding, Co-Ad, Inc. is required every year to choose which services it can provide. We are always interested in information from people with disabilities to help us pick our priorities.

How Can Co-Ad Help?

• By providing information about community services.
• By advising you about your legal rights.
• By providing help with settling disagreements through mediation and negotiation.
• By providing legal representation, including help with appeals and court cases.

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  PADD Program Services are provided free of charge

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The PADD Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities