The disAbility Law Center of Virginia

disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) is the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organization for the Commonwealth of Virginia. It advocates for people with disabilities across the state, focusing on protecting legal, human, and civil rights while addressing issues like abuse, neglect, and discrimination.

Mission and Vision

• Mission: Advance independence, choice, and self-determination; protect legal, human, and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect, and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous legal advocacy and representation.

• Vision: A Commonwealth free of legal barriers for individuals with disabilities.

dLCV is independent from state and local government and funded primarily through federal grants. It serves Virginians with disabilities in institutions and the community, providing free services (though resources are limited, so not everyone receives full representation).

Contact Information

• Address: 1512 Willow Lawn Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23230

• Phone: 800-552-3962 (toll-free) or 804-225-2042

• Fax: 804-662-7431 (or sometimes listed as 804-662-7057 in older materials)

• Email:

  • General info: info@dlcv.org

  • Media inquiries: Devin.Coleman@dlcv.org

  • Service requests: Use the online form only (do not email requests to info@dlcv.org)

• Website: https://www.dlcv.org/

• Hours for calls (for services): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

• Social media: Active on Facebook (@disAbilityLawVA), Instagram (@disabilitylawva), LinkedIn, etc.

Services

dLCV offers:

• Information and referral

• Legal representation (as resources allow)

• Technical assistance

• Short-term assistance

• Systemic advocacy

• Monitoring (e.g., facilities for abuse/neglect)

• Training and education

They prioritize cases aligned with their annual Strategic Goals and Focus Areas (viewable on their site). Services are free, but they emphasize self-advocacy and may refer people elsewhere due to limited capacity.

They generally do NOT handle:

• Social Security applications (SSI/SSDI)

• Financial assistance, debt, or bill payment

• Most family law (divorce, custody, etc., except in rare systemic cases)

• Criminal proceedings

• Workers’ comp, unemployment, bankruptcy, tax, landlord-tenant, consumer protection, etc.

• Wills/estate planning

They provide self-help resources (e.g., on Social Security) and referrals to other legal aid organizations like Legal Aid Justice Center, Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS), etc.

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How to Get Help: Submit the online form at dlcv.org/get-help. They aim to respond within ~3 business days. Language line available for non-English speakers.

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Leadership and Staff

Executive Leadership:

• Colleen Miller — Executive Director

• Devin Coleman — Director of Development & External Relations

• Rebecca (Becka) Herbig — Legal Director

• Robert Gray — Director of Compliance and Quality Assurance

They also have attorneys, advocates (in units like Independence/Program Access, Empowered Living/Financial Supports, Freedom/Abuse/Neglect/Safety), operations, admin, and outreach staff.

Board of Directors (examples): Sean Campbell (President), Evan Wrinkle (Vice President), Bolor Amarsanaa (Treasurer), Jennifer Stancil (Secretary), and others.

Additional Info

• They track impact metrics (e.g., people served, lives improved via systemic change, training provided).

• Resources section on their site includes publications on rights, self-advocacy, etc.

• Volunteer opportunities available.

• They monitor facilities, respond to complaints, and engage in policy/legislative advocacy (e.g., on Olmstead/community integration, guardianship, juvenile justice).

• Donations are accepted via their site to support the work.