Understanding OCRA
and your Regional Center rights.
The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) helps Regional Center clients and families across California understand and protect their legal rights, services, IPP rights, fair hearings, appeals, and access to support services.
What is OCRA?
OCRA stands for the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy. It is part of Disability Rights California and provides free legal information, advocacy, and rights protection for Regional Center consumers throughout California.
Every Regional Center in California has an assigned Clients’ Rights Advocate who helps individuals and families understand their rights under the Lanterman Act and Title 17 regulations.
What can OCRA help with?
- Denied Regional Center services
- IPP disagreements
- Fair hearing support
- Self Determination Program issues
- Appeals and notices of action
- Rights violations
- Service reductions
- Housing and independent living concerns
- School transition and adult services
- Access to interpreters and accommodations
Who can receive help?
OCRA supports Regional Center consumers with developmental disabilities including autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, and related conditions receiving services through California Regional Centers.
Bay Area OCRA Contacts
Berkeley, California
(510) 267 1280
OCRA.RCEB@disabilityrightsca.org
San Francisco / San Mateo / Marin
(415) 904 7312
OCRA.GGRC@disabilityrightsca.org
San Jose, California
(408) 374 2470
OCRA.SARC@disabilityrightsca.org
Families often do not realize they can appeal Regional Center decisions.
If services are denied, reduced, delayed, or terminated, Regional Center clients may have the right to request meetings, mediation, or fair hearings. OCRA helps individuals better understand these processes and their legal protections.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions families ask about Regional Center rights, advocacy, appeals, and OCRA support.
Can OCRA help if Regional Center denied services?
Yes. OCRA may help explain your rights, review notices, discuss appeal options, and provide advocacy support related to denied or reduced services.
Does OCRA help with Self Determination Program issues?
Yes. OCRA can help Regional Center clients understand SDP rights, spending plan concerns, and service disputes connected to the Self Determination Program.
Is OCRA free?
Yes. OCRA services are free for eligible Regional Center consumers and families in California.
Can OCRA attend IPP meetings?
Depending on availability and the situation, a Clients’ Rights Advocate may provide guidance or participate in meetings related to rights and services.
Can adults with autism contact OCRA directly?
Yes. Adults receiving Regional Center services may directly contact OCRA for information regarding rights, services, and advocacy.
What is the Lanterman Act?
The Lanterman Act is the California law that protects the rights of people with developmental disabilities and establishes Regional Center services and supports.
Need guidance understanding Regional Center services?
bttr Living helps adults with developmental disabilities and families better understand support options, independent living services, self determination services, life skills development, and person centered support throughout the Bay Area.