NDRN - TASC Legand Advocacy Resources

Page last updated: 1/16/08

TASC devotes significant time and resources to specific legal and advocacy functions of the Network, as well as to the tasks associated with managing and governing the organizations.

Issue groups or issue task forces: TASC continually develops its cadre of P&A issue groups. These are networks of P&A/CAP staff members with significant expertise in core areas of disability law (e.g., special education and Medicaid). These work groups act as mentors for advocates in other P&As/CAPs; assist in developing TA materials; and help coordinate issue-specific conference calls, meetings, and trainings. Listservs also exist around each issue area.

Outside experts: TASC maintains databases on experts outside the network as needed to supplement in-house expertise. In general, contractors provide the following services to P&As/CAPs: oral and written advice on substantive law issues and litigation strategies; review and drafting of proposed pleadings, briefs, and other litigation documents; sample briefs, policy papers, outlines, and publications of relevance to advocates; and training. In addition, some or all of the contractors may be required to assist in the coordination of special advocacy projects on a national level. These projects are intended to provide enhanced coordinated TA to support P&As in addressing a range of significant disability issues and in implementation of annual priorities for case selection.

Friend of the court (amicus) briefs: TASC continues to coordinate drafting of briefs that often play a critical role in promoting development of favorable case law on behalf of the P&A System and the disability community at-large.

Ethics Consults: The Ethics Consultant Group, comprised of prominent academicians around the country is available for informal consultation with P&A/CAP attorneys on issues of legal ethics/professional responsibility that may arise in the Network. This resource is intended to supplement and complement other available resources for P&A/CAP attorneys to receive information about ethics issues, not supplant them. (http://www.ndrn.org/TASC/legal/PROTOCOL_for_Consulting.htm)

Staff Contacts:

Abuse and Neglect: Jane Hudson
Accessibility: Kenneth Shiotani
ADA (Titles I, II, and III); Section 504: Kenneth Shiotani
Advance Directives: Elizabeth Priaulx
Assistive Technology: Ron Hager
Client Assistance Program (CAP): David Hutt
Criminal Justice: Judith Storandt
Consumer Education and Advocacy Support: Sakena McWright
Community Integration: Elizabeth Priaulx
Education: Ron Hager
Emergency Preparedness: Delores Scott McKnigh
Employment: Kenneth Shiotani
Ethics: Janice Johnson Hunter
Foster Care: Elizabeth Priaulx
Housing: Kenneth Shiotani
Juvenile Justice: Judith Storandt
Legal Management: Janice Johnson Hunter
Litigation (general): Janice Johnson Hunter
Medicaid: Elizabeth Priaulx
P&A Access: Jane Hudson
P&A Standing: Jane Hudson
PABSS Program: Cheryl Bates-Harris
Return-to-Work: Cheryl Bates-Harris
Transportation : Christina Galindo-Walsh
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Elizabeth Priaulx
Vocational Preparation: David Hutt
Voting: Delores Scott McKnight

TASC Also Provides the Following:

TASC Legal and Advocacy Resources