Legal Assistance

Community Legal Services provides no-cost legal services to the most vulnerable in Central Florida and help them protect their families, health, and livelihood.

• Web: https://www.legalaccessforall.org/
• Tavares office: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Office open by appointment only.
• Phone: (352) 343-0815
• Fax: (352) 343-8853
• 226 W. Main St., Tavares, FL 32778

CLS HELPline 1-800-405-1417
Community Legal Services (CLS) Helpline is an intake and attorney-staffed telephone advice, brief services, pro se, and referral system serving low income individuals, seniors, and other vulnerable people with civil legal issues throughout Central Florida. The attorneys who answer Helpline calls provide eligible clients with immediate brief legal services and/or referrals.

CLS Helpline attorneys are trained to counsel holistically, working with each caller to look at all areas of their life (such as housing, finances, family stability, education, safety, and healthcare) rather than simply addressing only a single need.

Helpline attorneys also provide on-the-spot referrals to a wide variety of governmental and social service providers, including local domestic violence shelters, housing resources, prescription drug programs for low income persons, and emergency food resources.

https://disabilityrightsflorida.org

Tel 1-800-342-0823

Disability Rights Florida was founded in 1977 as the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. The P&A system exists to ensure the safety, well-being, and success of people with disabilities.

Disability Rights Florida is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy and rights protection for adults and children with a wide range of disabilities. Our staff attorneys, advocates and investigators address civil rights violations, abuse and neglect, and discrimination specifically in these areas:

• Disputes involving Medicaid eligibility including Protected Medicaid, Home & Community Based Services Waivers, and Medicare Savings Programs.
• Discrimination in housing, architectural barriers, service animals, transportation, and access to public and private programs and services.
• Abuse, neglect, and rights violations in an institution, prison or jail.
• Rights to a least restrictive environment, privacy, choice, dignity, and other basic human and civil rights.
• Barriers to a free and appropriate education, K-12 special education, transition services, and post-secondary education.
• Access to mental health and support services that provide individualized treatment including adults and students with psychiatric disabilities.
• Employment accommodations, as well as accessing, maintaining or regaining employment, and vocational rehabilitation (through our Client Assistance Program).
• Rights to effective and accessible communication like American Sign Language and accessible print and electronic information.
• Access to services that will enable veterans with service-related injuries a successful transition to civilian life.
• Investigation of stolen or misused funds, exploitation, or neglect by representative payees.
• Voting registration, vote casting, and accessible polling places.
• Access to assistive technology and devices such as communication devices and power wheelchairs.
• Supported Decision-Making as an alternative to guardianship.

If we can’t be of direct assistance, we refer people to other sources of help.

All services are free and confidential.

Statewide Initiatives

• Educating policy makers about the needs of people with disabilities
• Systemic and legal advocacy
• Collaborative work on disability rights issues
• Monitoring of public programs and facilities
• Workshops and trainings