Advocates For Basic Legal Equality

ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY, INC. (ABLE) IS A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM THAT PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CIVIL MATTERS TO HELP ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS TO ACHIEVE SELF-RELIANCE, EQUAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

HOUSING JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION, RACIAL JUSTICE, BUSINESS TRANSACTIONAL LEGAL SERVICES, ENTREPRENEUR LEGAL SUPPORT, COOPERATIVE LAW, LAND TRUST LAW, SHARED EQUITY DEVELOPMENT MODELS, FOOD EQUITY, FAIR HOUSING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, TENANTS RIGHTS, EVICTION DEFENSE, HOUSING SUBSIDY PRESERVATION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVATION AND LOCATION, FORECLOSURE DEFENSE, LEAD POISONING PREVENTION, RETURNING CITIZENS, MENTAL HEALTH AND HOUSING, CONSUMER RIGHTS.AGRICULTURAL WORKER AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS: PROTECTING AND EXPANDING THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES BY ADDRESSING UNFAIR OR DISCRIMINATORY EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING RACIAL OR ETHNIC PROFILING; DISCRIMINATION; UNPAID WAGES & MINIMUM WAGE CLAIMS; IMMIGRATION; NATURALIZATION; CIVIL RIGHTS; KNOW YOUR RIGHTS; IMMIGRANT DETENTION REPRESENTATION; HOUSING CONDITIONS; EDUCATION; HEALTHCARE; SNAP AND OTHER GOVERNMENT BENEFITS; PRESERVE FAMILY UNITY & STABILITY; SAFETY FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OTHER CRIMES, PERSECUTION, TORTURE & HUMAN TRAFFICKING; COMBAT UNFAIR OR DISCRIMINATORY WORKPLACE PRACTICES; IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES & THEIR FAMILIES.FAIRNESS IN EDUCATION: EDUCATION ADVOCACY PROJECT PARTNERING WITH PARENTS AND PROVIDING TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION, COLLABORATION WITH EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ELIMINATE THE DISPROPORTIONATE DISCIPLINARY MEASURES EXPERIENCED BY BIPOC AND ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED STUDENTS; DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CIVIL RIGHTS LITIGATION; LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS, AND DUE PROCESS PROCEEDINGS; INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR A FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN; LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR STUDENTS IN NEED OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER SERVICES. HEALTHCARE AND ECONOMIC STABILITY: PROTECTION AGAINST UNFAIR DEBT COLLECTION, OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING FOR PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS, SECURING MEDICAID BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, SECURING ACCESS TO CRITICAL FOOD ASSISTANCE (SNAP), EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOB SEEKERS, REMOVING BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES SO PEOPLE CAN LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITY WITH MEDICAID WAIVER FUNDING, CASH ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FOR FAMILIES, SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. ABLE REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF LAW, INCLUDING HOUSING, (PUBLIC HOUSING, EVICTION, FORECLOSURE AND HOUSING CONDITIONS); COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, EDUCATION, IMMIGRATION, AND THE LEGAL PROBLEMS THAT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, VETERANS AND SENIOR CITIZENS FACE. EACH YEAR ABLE'S EXPERIENCED STAFF OF ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS, AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS THROUGHOUT 32 COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL OHIO AND TO AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND IMMIGRANTS THROUGHOUT OHIO. WE HAVE OFFICES LOCATED IN DAYTON, TOLEDO AND DEFIANCE. WE MEET THE LEGAL NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS WORKING IN CONJUCTION WITH OUR PARTNER LAW FIRM, LEGAL AID OF WESTERN OHIO, INC. (LAWO). THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE BENEFIT CHILDREN, SENIORS, VETERANS, IMMIGRANTS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PERSONS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, FAMILIES FACING EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE, HOMELESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, CHILDREN STRUGGLING TO SECURE APPROPRIATE EDUCATION SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS, AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, AND NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, AMONG OTHERS. OUR ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES WORK IN AREAS THAT PRIVATE ATTORNEYS USUALLY DO NOT, INCLUDING REPRESENTATION OF TENANTS, LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS, AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, IMMIGRANTS, VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES AND PEOPLE SEEKING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. TOGETHER ABLE AND LAWO CONSTITUTE THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF FREE, COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS IN OHIO. NEARLY 25% OF OHIO'S POVERTY POPULATION LIVES IN OUR 32 COUNTY SERVICE AREA. OUR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND HEADQUARTERS ARE LOCATED IN TOLEDO AT THE CENTER FOR EQUAL JUSTICE. IN 2023, ABLE AND LAWO RECEIVED 12,097 REQUESTS FOR HELP, WORKED ON 7,222 CASES, AND CLOSED 4,868 CASES BENEFITTING 18,380 PEOPLE. ABLE AND LAWO ALSO SECURED $8,800,388 IN MONETARY BENEFITS FOR THEIR CLIENTS.