Pittsburgh Managing Attorney Carol Horowitz Receives the 2017 ACHIEVA Award of Excellence in Legal Services

ACHIEVA proudly presented its 2017 Award of Excellence in Legal Services to DRP Managing Attorney Carol Horowitz, who was recognized for going above and beyond on behalf of people with disabilities. This award is given to nominees that are an attorney, law firm or legal department that use their professional skills to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and/or the community.

Carol Horowitz, the Managing Attorney for the Pittsburgh office of Disability Rights Pennsylvania, has devoted her entire legal career to advancing and protecting the rights of people with disabilities to live in their communities with the services they need and to have control and self-determination over their lives.  Since obtaining her Pennsylvania law license in 1998, Carol has practiced exclusively in the area of civil rights for individuals with disabilities and has represented clients in a variety of matters related to housing, employment, public accommodations, and access to healthcare by using individual and systemic advocacy, and class action litigation.  Most notably, Carol successfully resolved the Harry M. lawsuit, a class action filed against the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (formerly the Department of Public Welfare) on behalf of Medical Assistance Consolidated Waiver participants who have intellectual disabilities and are deaf, and who need effective communication to benefit from their Waiver services.  The court-approved settlement agreement in that case ensures that the communication needs of all class members will be appropriately assessed and addressed in their Individual Support Plans.  In addition to litigation, Carol also works collaboratively with many advocacy organizations addressing statewide issues that affect the rights of individuals with disabilities and has been particularly active in advocating for state-wide policy that supports mental health recovery.  At every turn, Carol has used her professional skills to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities, their families, and the communities where they live.  She is a leader and a mentor to all her staff at Disability Rights Pennsylvania, and we would like to celebrate and recognize her commitment to people with disabilities and her outstanding achievements on their behalf.