Application Guide

How to Apply for Staff or Sr. Staff Attorney - Child and Youth Rights Facilities and Community

at National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)

🏢 About National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the only national nonprofit membership organization representing the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) agencies in every U.S. state and territory, as well as the Native American Disability Law Center. Working here means joining a nationwide network that is a powerful force for equality, ensuring people with disabilities have equal opportunity, self-determination, and access to justice. NDRN uniquely combines legal advocacy, policy expertise, and grassroots member support to drive systemic change.

About This Role

As a Staff or Senior Staff Attorney in the Facilities and Community Integration Unit, you will develop and advance national strategies to ensure people with disabilities can live, work, and thrive in their own communities, free from unnecessary institutionalization. You will provide legal expertise, technical assistance, and training to NDRN member agencies, engage in policy advocacy, and support impact litigation under laws like the ADA, IDEA, and the Rehabilitation Act. This role is at the heart of NDRN's mission to enforce the integration mandate and expand community-based services.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve consulting with P&A attorneys on a complex Olmstead case, drafting a policy brief on community-based services, and leading a virtual training for member agencies on recent legal developments. You could also participate in strategy meetings with coalition partners, review proposed regulations, and provide rapid response technical assistance to a state facing budget cuts to home- and community-based services.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) Is Looking For

  • J.D. degree and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with 5+ years of legal experience for Staff Attorney or 8+ years for Senior Staff Attorney, preferably in disability rights, civil rights, or public interest law.
  • Deep knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (especially Title II and the integration mandate), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act (Sections 504 and 508), and other relevant federal laws.
  • Experience providing technical assistance, training, or legal support to advocates, attorneys, or protection and advocacy agencies, with strong written and oral advocacy skills.
  • Demonstrated commitment to disability rights and community integration, including familiarity with the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) systems, and the ability to work collaboratively in a remote, team-oriented environment.

📝 Tips for Applying to National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)

1

Highlight your experience with the ADA's integration mandate (Olmstead v. L.C.) and other laws that promote community living, as this is the core focus of the Facilities and Community Integration Unit.

2

Show familiarity with the P&A/CAP network by referencing specific cases, projects, or collaborations with state P&A agencies in your cover letter or resume.

3

Emphasize any experience providing technical assistance or training to advocates or attorneys, as NDRN heavily supports its member agencies through capacity-building.

4

If applying for the Senior Staff Attorney role, clearly demonstrate leadership in systemic advocacy, such as leading litigation, policy campaigns, or multi-state initiatives.

5

Tailor your resume to include keywords like 'community integration,' 'institutionalization,' 'disability rights,' 'ADA,' 'IDEA,' and 'Rehabilitation Act' to pass initial screenings and show alignment with the role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience using the ADA, IDEA, or Rehabilitation Act to advance community integration and deinstitutionalization, with concrete examples of impact.', 'Your ability to translate legal expertise into practical support for advocates and attorneys, such as through training, toolkits, or technical assistance.', 'Your understanding of the P&A/CAP network and how NDRN supports its members, including any direct experience working with or within a P&A agency.', 'Your passion for disability rights as civil rights and your commitment to systemic change, demonstrated through past work or personal experience.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore NDRN's website, especially the Facilities and Community Integration Unit's projects, reports, and policy positions to understand current priorities.
  • → Research key disability rights laws and cases, such as Olmstead v. L.C., the ADA Amendments Act, and recent litigation involving community integration and institutional reform.
  • → Learn about the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) systems, including how they are funded and their mandates, to speak knowledgeably about NDRN's membership.
  • → Review NDRN's recent advocacy efforts and press releases to identify hot topics and ongoing campaigns you could contribute to.
Visit National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a national strategy to enforce the integration mandate under the ADA, particularly in states with large institutional populations?
2 Describe your experience providing technical assistance or training to legal advocates. How do you ensure your support is effective and responsive?
3 What are the biggest legal barriers to community integration for people with disabilities today, and how would you address them through litigation or policy advocacy?
4 How would you collaborate with P&A agencies across states to identify and address systemic issues in facilities and community settings?
5 Tell us about a time you worked on a case or project that advanced the rights of people with disabilities to live in the community. What was your role and what was the outcome?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to demonstrate a genuine commitment to disability rights and community integration; generic civil rights experience without a disability focus may not stand out.
  • Neglecting to mention the P&A/CAP network or NDRN's unique role as a membership organization, which shows a lack of research and fit.
  • Submitting a cover letter that focuses on general legal skills without connecting them to the specific laws and strategies central to this role, such as the ADA's integration mandate.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)!

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