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Disability Rights Arkansas outlines investigations, representative‑payee audits and faces questions about human development centers
Summary
Disability Rights Arkansas described its nine federal programs, investigatory access authority and representative‑payee audits. Lawmakers asked for more public reporting and raised concerns that national activists seek to close human development centers; Disability Rights Arkansas denied suing the state or pursuing closures.
Disability Rights Arkansas (DRA) presented an overview of its work — monitoring, investigations and legal advocacy for people with disabilities — and fielded extended questions about oversight of human development centers (HDCs), guardianship and access to services.
Tom Massaw, executive director, and Thomas Nichols, director of legal and advocacy services, told the committee the nonprofit operates nine federal programs and maintains a staff of roughly 24 on a $2 million budget. Massaw described mandated duties under Protection and Advocacy grant programs, including monitoring facilities, investigating abuse and neglect, educational advocacy and representative payee…
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