Greenville’s Hal Holbrook has been named president of Disability Rights Mississippi.
The group is a non-profit organization offering free-of-charge advocacy for Mississippians with disabilities.
Since 1982, DRMS has done this work as the only advocacy agency in the state.
Holbrook was asked to join the board three years ago in part because of his work with Camp Looking Glass in Washington County.
He said the organization’s main focus is to answer and help rectify situations where a person with a disability is being deprived of their civil or human rights.
The organization’s mission is “to promote, protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of people with disabilities and to assist them with full inclusion in home, community, education and employment.”
Holbrook said DRMS employees field reports of abuse or rights violations from institutions, prison and elder care facilities. Those reports are investigated and then the legal team works to rectify the problem often through mediation.
Holbrook said he is proud of the work done at DRMS.
“It’s a real problem-solving organization,” Holbrook said. “They make people straighten up and do right.”
Several of the stated goals for the organization include:
* Identify and investigate instances of rights violations of individuals with disabilities in any/all public and private living settings.
* Investigate 100% of all allegations of abuse, wrongful death, or neglect received by DRMS.
* Complete investigation of conditions in both licensed and unlicensed personal care homes. Present state government leaders with report of any/all significant issues and the statutory and regulatory frameworks that have created or contributed to problems of safety, abuse, neglect, and violation of individual rights for people with disabilities.
* Expand presence in Mississippi prisons, county jails, and juvenile justice facilities to monitor and gather data in regard to medical care, mental health care, and accessibility for individuals with disabilities in these facilities.
* Investigate assigned representative payee reviews. Where appropriate, a corrective action plan will be issued and/or the affected beneficiary will be referred to traditional Protection and Advocacy services.
To contact DRMS call 601-968-0600 or 800-772-4057.
Holbrook’s involvement with Camp Looking Glass has not only lead to this appointment, it’s been a significant impact on lives in Washington County.
Since its inception in 2004, CLG has provided accessible summer camp and year-round activities to the campers and their families at no cost.
CLG campers include children and adults alike with a wide range of disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Autism, hearing impairments and other physical or cognitive disabilities. There is no age requirement to participate.
In 2005, CLG kicked off its first week-long camp with about 20 campers at Leroy Percy State Park and every year since — until now — campers and counselors resided together in rented cabins.
