Vermont Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (VP&A) is part of the National Protection and Advocacy system. This national system was created by Congress in response to concerns that States were not doing enough to protect people with disabilities against abuse, neglect and serious rights violations. The Congress created the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system to increase scrutiny and available resources in order to improve conditions for people with disabilities.
Each state has a P&A system, some are part of state government and some are private, non-profit corporations. VP&A is a private non-profit corporation designated by the Governor to be
VP&A is dedicated to addressing problems, questions and complaints brought to it by Vermonters with disabilities. VP&A’s mission is to promote the equality, dignity, and self-determination of people with disabilities.
VP&A provides information, referral and advocacy services, including legal representation when appropriate, to individuals with disabilities throughout Vermont. VP&A also advocates to promote positive systematic responses to issues affecting people with disabilities.
VP&A is governed by a Board of Directors that is selected pursuant to federal law to represent a cross section of disability communities and interests within Vermont. The Board is responsible for setting priorities, hiring the Executive Director and other important administrative duties. There are also Advisory Councils made of members of
VP&A’s staff of twelve people includes an Executive Director, attorneys, advocates, paralegals and other administrative staff. The staff has experience in a wide range of important areas including clinical, litigation, and policy development and implementation. VP&A also works closely with and sub-contracts some P&A system work to the Disability Law Project of Vermont Legal Aid.