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Legal Services in Atlanta & the Metro-Atlanta Area

Legal aid for pro se and self-represented litigants

Disability Legal Service

Georgia Advocacy Office

Address:

150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 430
Decatur, GA 30030

Phone:

(404) 885-1234 or (800) 537-2329 (toll-free in GA)

Website:

https://thegao.org/

Email:

info@thegao.org

Information:

  • Provides a wide range of services to persons with disabilities in Georgia:
    • Information and referral
    • Technical assistance, advice, and support in self-advocacy
    • Assistance in advocacy, negotiation, or mediation on behalf of individuals
    • Investigation of allegations of abuse, neglect, or violation of rights
    • Deflect and prevent guardianships, support individuals in the restoration of rights, and advocate for supported decision making as an alternative to guardianships
    • Public information and education regarding the needs and rights of people with disabilities
    • Multicultural outreach to unserved or underserved groups of persons with disabilities
    • Identification of problems in the system of service delivery and advocacy for systemic change
    • Legislative monitoring and technical assistance
    • Technical assistance to attorneys on disability law

The following services do not fall within the priorities of GAO either because they are commonly accepted by other legal services or because the primary issue is often not based on discrimination due to disability:

  • Social Security applications
  • Food Stamp applications/claims
  • Criminal proceedings
  • Divorce, custody, and child support
  • Ad litem representation of children in parental rights terminations
  • Drafting of wills, trusts, and estate planning
  • Malpractice cases
  • Workers Compensation, issues related to collective bargaining agreements, unemployment compensation
  • Product liability
  • Bankruptcy matters
  • Personal injury
  • Consumer protection issues
  • Tax issues
  • Pension, ERISA issues
  • Property disputes
  • Guardianship proceedings (GAO does not support petitions for removal of individual rights)
  • Commitment proceedings

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the State of Georgia, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Georgia State University College of Law and the authors of the works contained on this website do not assume or accept any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, currentness, or comprehensiveness of the content on this website. The content on this website does not in any manner constitute the issuance of legal advice or counsel. The information on this website is intended to provide resources that may aid the research of the topics presented, and are in no way a comprehensive list of sources one should consult on the topics presented. Please note that case law, statutory law, and administrative law may be modified and/or overturned. Additionally, because the laws vary between jurisdictions, the laws referred to herein may or may not be applicable to the law within the reader’s jurisdiction.