Beyond the Courtroom: A Conversation with Andy Imparato, CEO of Disability Rights California
Part of Every Kid Can's ongoing interview series, where we speak with professionals, advocates, and educators who work alongside people with disabilities every day — to better understand the barriers they face and how youth can be part of the solution.
When people think of disability rights organizations, lawsuits often come to mind. However, as a recent interview with Andy Imparato, CEO of Disability Rights California (DRC), revealed, meaningful change happens just as often through education, public policy, and community advocacy as it does in the courtroom.
What Does Disability Rights California Do?
Founded in 1978, Disability Rights California is one of 57 federally designated Protection and Advocacy agencies in the United States. Serving nearly 20,000 Californians each year, the organization provides legal representation, disability rights education, policy advocacy, and community resources to ensure people with disabilities receive the rights and services they are entitled to.
One of the interview's biggest takeaways was that advocacy extends far beyond legal action. While DRC has successfully challenged disability discrimination through lawsuits, many issues are resolved through negotiations, civil rights complaints, and administrative hearings. Their work also focuses on educating the public, influencing policy, and empowering people with disabilities to advocate for themselves.
The organization also works extensively with colleges and universities. In one case, Disability Rights California successfully restored campus transportation for students with mobility disabilities after a university eliminated the service they relied on — a case that demonstrated how disability policy directly affects students' ability to access education and participate fully in campus life.
The Barriers That Remain
Education remains one of the most important areas of disability advocacy. While the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees students with disabilities a free appropriate public education, challenges such as limited funding, teacher preparation, and access to specialized services continue to impact many students. As Imparato emphasized, true inclusion means giving every student the support they need — not simply placing everyone in the same classroom.
How We Can Do Better
The conversation also highlighted the important role young people can play. Although youth-led organizations may not provide legal services, they can create lasting change through storytelling, community education, media outreach, and building relationships with policymakers. These efforts help shape public understanding and influence the policies that affect millions of people with disabilities.
For Every Kid Can, this conversation reinforces an important truth: reducing the barriers between disabled and non-disabled communities requires more than strong laws. It requires education, advocacy, and a willingness to listen to disabled voices. Legal victories protect rights, but changing public attitudes creates lasting inclusion.
Every Kid Can extends its sincere gratitude to Andy Imparato for sharing his time and expertise. His insights serve as a powerful reminder that creating a more accessible world is a responsibility shared by advocates, educators, policymakers, and communities alike.