Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic
Brain InjuryProtection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic
Brain Injury
The Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI) program is a federally funded advocacy initiative coordinated in New York State by the New York Sate Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (CQCAPD). Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. (LSCNY) is under contract with CQCAPD to provide legal assistance to eligible individuals throughout New York State.
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, an estimated 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from TBI. The symptoms of TBI vary depending upon what part of the brain is injured and the severity of the injury. TBI may result in impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning, and disturbances of behavioral or emotional functioning. These impairments may be either temporary or permanent and can be life transforming for the individual, their families and friends.
People with TBI encounter a range of legal problems. For example, children with TBI -- like other children with disabilities -- frequently face problems in the educational system. People with TBI may face problems with private insurers, Medicaid or Medicare and Social Security regarding coverage and entitlement issues. Adults with TBI may experience housing or employment discrimination and problems with job accommodation. LSCNY's PATBI initiative will provide legal assistance, information and referral, advocacy training for consumers and technical assistance for agencies and families on how to make systemic change. The primary focus of the project is assisting people with TBI with accessing benefits and services to which they may be entitled. Because the PATBI project is statewide, the ability to provide direct representation is limited. Note that the PATBI project does not provide representation in personal injury cases. For more information contact Jim Williams at 315-475-3127 (or toll free at 866-475-9967) or by e-mail.
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This page was last updated October 10, 2006.
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