HARRISBURG (Aug. 11, 1997) -- People with disabilities frequently can't find a lawyer whose office is accessible to them, or who has experience in disability laws. To help these people and their families have an easier time accessing the legal system, the Pennsylvania Bar Association has established the Disabilities Lawyer Referral Service.

By calling toll free 1-888-712-0128, people can find a lawyer who is experienced in representing clients with physical or mental disabilities. There's also information available on which law firms are accessible to clients with disabilities, or are willing to accommodate clients by making arrangements to meet at an accessible location.

"We started looking at the accessibility of courthouses to people with disabilities, but realized that a lot of legal activities, like drawing up a will, do not take place there," said J. Bart DeLone, chair of the PBA Legal Services to Persons with Disabilities Committee, sponsor of the program. "So then we turned our attention to the accessibility and experience of lawyers and law firms."

DeLone said the referral service does not provide lawyers for free, but allows people to identify and locate accessible legal services in Pennsylvania.

"This service is a marriage of information, made available to the public so people with disabilities can make informed decisions when hiring an attorney," said DeLone.