Our advocacy approach is unique! Quality Trust’s professional staff, known as Quality Services Navigators, take the lead from the person when determining what to focus on to meet their needs and objectives. Our Navigators meet with the people they support as often as necessary to get to know them, their preferences, and desired outcomes. They work with the family, government agencies, and other stakeholders to keep the focus on the person and what they want. We support the person to tell their story, empowering them to speak up and share their concerns. We also empower them to stop advocacy support at any point.
Through our Bilingual Advocacy Outreach Specialist, Quality Trust also provides advocacy support to the District’s Spanish-speaking community. With generous support from the DC Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs, we help youth and adults with developmental disabilities connect to postsecondary education, employment, and adult services, as well as other essential resources, so that they experience full inclusion in the community.
Our advocacy work allows us to learn more about the experiences of people with developmental disabilities and identify systemic issues in the District of Columbia that need to be addressed, including healthcare education, supported decision-making, and life-planning guidance.
Success Highlight
Anna” (pseudonym) is a woman with an intellectual disability in her 50’s. Her parents are deceased, and her natural support system is not as robust as it once was; she receives help from government agencies, friends, and professional advocates. Anna, who has a court-appointed guardian owns the house that she has lived in all her life.
Quality Trust (QT) was contacted by the DC Department on Disability Services because of concerns about the guardian selling Anna’s home. A QT Quality Services Navigator promptly contacted QT’s Attorney to bring legal expertise to the advocacy issue. By the time the QT attorney became involved, Anna’s house had been placed on the market and was in the process of being sold. The guardian said the house had to be sold because it needed repairs that Anna could not afford. QT’s Quality Services Navigator and Attorney met with Anna to find out what she wanted. Anna was shocked and devastated when she learned about the sale and that the guardian planned for her to move into a service-provider, shared living arrangement
The QT Quality Services Navigator identified a government program that provides free home repair assistance to homeowners. Additionally, QT’s Attorney represented Anna in appealing the court order allowing the guardian to sell her home and ultimately, the guardian agreed to cancel the sale. QT successfully advocated for the court to limit the authority of the guardian to sell Anna’s house or remove her from her home. As a result of QT’s zealous and person-centered advocacy, Anna continues to live in the only home she has ever known, with protections in place that will ensure she gets her day in court should the guardian try to sell her home or move her again. The Quality Services Navigator is working with Anna to ensure that she has activities to do in the community daily and residential services that meet her wishes and needs.
Advocacy Requests
To request an advocate, fill out our online intake form or call us at 202-448-1450.
