The ACLU-WA participates in "impact litigation" designed to protect civil rights and civil liberties for large numbers of Washington residents. Does NOT typically provide legal representation to individual complainants and is not a general legal services provider. Through the Information and Referral Program (IRP), DOES provide: - "Know your rights" and legal self-help literature - Referrals to appropriate agencies and organizations In some areas of ACLU emphasis, is able to provide limited advocacy or more specialized advice. The ACLU is particularly active in the following issue areas: - Freedom of expression and freedom of religion - Police practices and accountability - Student rights, school discipline, and education issues - LGBTQ issues - Voting rights - Houseless issues - Sentencing reform - Health Care - Technology and Privacy

Helps resolve disputes, complaints and conflict between families and schools through facilitation.   Acts as a confidential, neutral third party not associated with the public school system.   Promotes school-family partnerships and provides information about the education system and referrals to education-related resources.   Helps parents concerned about a child being bullied at school.   Provides workshops and presentations and publishes materials designed to help families understand and navigate the K-12 education system.   Publications can be downloaded from the website or mailed.   Publications are translated into several languages.   The Education Ombudsman does not help with issues regarding:   -  Elected officials (such as school board members)   -  Private schools   -  Private organizations or businesses   -  Preschools, colleges and universities   Does not have the authority to force a school or school district to take a specific course of action and cannot discipline or terminate school or school district employees.   Does not provide legal advice or services.

Hosts a legal clinic specifically designed to address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and couples. This clinic is run by QLaw Foundation in partnership with the King County Bar Association. The clinic is open to everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. At the clinic, an attorney will meet with clients for 30 minutes and provide individualized legal advice and information. Clinic attorneys will answer questions and provide information in a variety of areas including family law, immigration, debt and bankruptcy, divorce/dissolution, employment discrimination, and transgender legal issues.

Operates a legal clinic providing a free 30-minute consultation with an attorney (60 minutes if an interpreter or other accommodation is needed) Clinic is open to all, but particular focus is on providing culturally-informed legal services in a safe and welcoming environment to individuals who identify as African American or Black. This clinic is staffed primarily by attorneys of color. Clinic attorneys can: -  Determine whether the client has a legal problem -  Suggest possible options -  Help answer papers, summons and requests -  Provide appropriate referrals   Neighborhood Legal Clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Provides free 45-minute to 1-hour appointments with an attorney for advice on civil legal issues such as: consumer, finance/debt, employment, housing, benefits. Appointments are required. Clinics are currently telephonic. Attorneys at the clinic are not able to provide representation.

Operates a hotline focusing on Black, Black LGBTQI, Brown, Native, and Muslim community who have experienced harmful, physical, and inappropriate contact with police and vigilantes. Provides an anonymous and confidential avenue to report interactions and referrals to resources. Volunteers are trained to listen and affirm the experiences of anyone who may have experienced a negative interaction with law enforcement, consumer service (restaurants and stores), or vigilante contact. Volunteer opportunities are available.

Handles complaints of discrimination and advocates for those experiencing hate speech or being harassed.   Assists people in navigating bureaucratic systems that have discriminatory policies and procedures. May be able to assist in mediation with these systems.   If there are no resources to confront discrimination within an agency or company that a complaint is being directed toward, this agency will refer a client to the appropriate government agency.   DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL COUNSEL OR LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

Chinese Information and Service Center, Asian Bar Association of Washington, and Asian Counseling and Referral Service partner with the King County Bar Association to provide a free legal clinic. Pro bono attorneys work with staff and volunteer interpreters to give consultation and legal advice around family law, immigration law, landlord-tenant disputes, employment law, and other areas. As of 9/2024, most consults are virtual but in-person appointments may be available if needed (more information provided to clients during intake phone call). Call (206) 957-8544 for an appointment. Appointments are typically Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 PM. International District Legal Clinic Chinese Information and Services Center 611 S Lane St. Seattle, WA 98144

Operates legal clinics providing free 30 minute consultations with an attorney. Focus is on Korean and Korean-speaking clients. Clinic attorneys can: -  Determine whether the client has a legal problem -  Suggest possible options -  Help answer papers, summons and requests -  Provide appropriate referrals   Neighborhood legal clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Provides free civil legal services for youth and young adults between ages 12-24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Ensures immigrant students' right to attend school, regardless of their documentation status or the documentation status of their parents. Undocumented students are obliged under state law to attend school until they reach a mandated age. Public schools may not: -  Deny admission to a student during initial enrollment or at any other time on the basis of undocumented status. -  Treat a student differently to determine residency. -  Engage in any practices to "chill" the right of access to school. -  Require students or parents to disclose or document their immigration status. -  Make inquiries of students or parents that may expose their undocumented status. -  Require Social Security numbers from all students, as this may expose undocumented status.   Students without Social Security numbers should be assigned a number generated by the school.   Adults without Social Security numbers who are applying for a free lunch and/or breakfast program on behalf of a student need only indicate on the application that they do not have a Social Security number.   School personnel -- especially building principals and those involved with student intake activities -- should be aware that they have no legal obligation to enforce U. S. immigration laws.