The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the lives of people with mental disabilities through changes in policy and law. We envision an America where people who have mental disabilities exercise their own life choices.
Policy
The Bazelon Center pursues a progressive mental health policy agenda (see Where We Stand and In Congress), particularly at the federal level, to reform systems and programs to protect the rights of children and adults with mental disabilities to lead lives with dignity in the community. Policy staff promote these goals in federal legislation and regulation, policy analysis and research, and technical assistance to state and local advocates.
Legal
Attorneys at the Bazelon Center work on issues and cases (see In Court) that push the envelope to guarantee rights, consumer choice, access to services, and autonomy to people with mental disabilities. In doing so, Bazelon Center attorneys provide technical support on legal matters and serve as co-counsel on selected lawsuits with private lawyers, legal services programs, ACLU chapters, and state protection and advocacy systems.
How Our Work Translates to Real Life
Choice in Housing: Coco's Story -- Created and Produced by the Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled, or CIAD, of New York.
How You Can Stay in the Know
Please check our Action Alerts & Bazelon Updates, Press Releases and The Reporter for the latest news and how you can play a pivotal part in our work. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for other timely shares. Lastly, discover our history and Judge David L. Bazelon.