What is the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights Program (PAIR)?

PAIR is a federally funded program operated by Co-Ad, Inc., a non-profit legal services organization.

The PAIR program protects the legal rights of people with disabilities. These rights are guaranteed by federal, state and local laws.

Co-Ad helps individuals with significant disabilities secure the rights and services to which they are entitled.

Who is Eligible for PAIR Program Services?

PAIR services are available to people with a significant disability ...

• Who need help to protect their rights related to a disability.
• Who are not eligible for any other Co-Ad services.

What Kind of Services Does PAIR 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 let us know if you (or someone you know) have been prevented from getting services, benefits, or treatment because of:

• Discrimination, or
• Lack of information about disability rights.

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 can 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 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.

PAIR Program Services are provided free of charge.

The PAIR Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration