DISABILITY RIGHTS CENTER
Priorities
Fiscal Year 2012
The priorities below will guide the work of DRC during fiscal year 2012. The priorities are overall goals. Specific objectives under each priority will govern DRC’s systemic work and case representation during FY 2012. Because DRC seeks public input throughout the year, the objectives, activities and work assignments are modified as the need arises.
Protection and Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities
PRIORITY 1: ABUSE, NEGLECT, EXPLOITATION AND RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
People with developmental disabilities will be safe from abuse and neglect, and will be guaranteed basic personal rights, at home, at school and in the community.
PRIORITY 2: DUE PROCESS
People with developmental disabilities will be afforded due process with regard to decisions that reduce, eliminate or restrict the services they receive, and will have access to a fair and effective grievance process.
PRIORITY 3: GUARDIANSHIP
People with developmental disabilities facing guardianship will receive appropriate procedural protections in that process and will not be subject to conflicts of interest involving their guardians and service providers.
PRIORITY 4: COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND SELF-DETERMINATION
People with developmental disabilities will receive the services they need to live in the community in the most integrated setting possible and direct their own services and supports whenever possible.
PRIORITY 5: SUPPORT SELF-ADVOCACY
People with developmental disabilities will receive the support that they need to be effective self-advocates.
PRIORITY 6: EMPLOYMENT
People with developmental disabilities will have access to employment and employment services allowing for work in integrated settings.
PRIORITY 7: DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES
Public accommodations and governmental services will be accessible to people with disabilities.
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness
PRIORITY 1: COMMUNITY INCLUSION
Individuals with mental illness will live in the communities of their choice and be fully included in all aspects of community life as they may choose.
PRIORITY 2: ABUSE, NEGLECT AND RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Individuals with mental illness will be safe from abuse and neglect, and will be guaranteed personal rights.
PRIORITY 3: HOUSING
People with serious mental illness are entitled to safe, accessible, affordable housing.
PRIORITY 4: EDUCATION
Children and young adults with mental illness are entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education in the least restrictive environment without threat of inappropriate discipline.
PRIORITY5: EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
People with serious mental illness will have access to employment without being subject to unlawful disability based discrimination.
Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights
PRIORITY 1: ABUSE, NEGLECT AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION
Individuals with disabilities will be safe from abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
PRIORITY 2: INTEGRATED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS.
Individuals with disabilities will live in the communities of their choice; receive services, including healthcare, that will allow them to remain in the communities of their choice; and where possible, direct their own services.
PRIORITY 3: DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT
People with disabilities will not be subject to unlawful, disability based discrimination in employment.
PRIORITY 4: DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING
People with disabilities in Maine are entitled to safe, accessible, affordable housing.
PRIORITY 5: DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES
Public accommodations and governmental services will be accessible to people with disabilities.
Protection and Advocacy for Brain Injury
PRIORITY 1: ABUSE, NEGLECT AND RIGHTS DEPRIVATIONS
People with Traumatic Brain Injury will be safe from abuse and neglect, and will be guaranteed basic personal rights.
PRIORITY 2: LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT (LRE)
Individuals with TBI will reside in integrated settings in the communities of their choice.
PRIORITY 3: SELF-DETERMINATION AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION
Individuals with TBI will have access to person-centered services to ensure that full inclusion in the community is being considered and actively pursued in accordance with the person’s choice.
PRIORITY 4: SELF ADVOCACY
Individuals with TBI and their families will have increased advocacy skills to enable them to effectively seek and secure adequate and appropriate treatment and support and access to comprehensive, high quality treatment services.
PRIORITY 5: DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING
People with traumatic brain injuries in Maine are entitled to safe, accessible, affordable housing.
PRIORITY 6: DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES
Public accommodations and governmental services will be accessible to people with traumatic brain injuries.
PRIORITY 7: DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT
People with traumatic brain injuries will have access to employment without being subject to unlawful disability based discrimination.
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security
PRIORITY 1: ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR BENEFICIARIES
Social Security beneficiaries will have knowledge of work incentives opportunities enabling them to obtain or maintain employment.
PRIORITY 2: EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ON THE TICKET TO WORK
Agencies working with Social Security beneficiaries will become knowledgeable about work incentives and the Ticket to Work program.
PRIORITY 3: ACCESS TO DUE PROCESS & DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Beneficiaries with disputes before SSA involving work-related program decisions and benefits overpayments that are a barrier to obtaining employment will receive representation and resolution of their problems.
PRIORITY 4: ADEQUACY OF EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Agencies working with Social Security beneficiaries will develop sound programs and provide high quality services.
Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology
PRIORITY 1: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
Students with special needs will have access to assistive technology appropriate to meet their educational needs.
PRIORITY 2: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN EMPLOYMENT
Maine citizens with disabilities will have access to assistive technology in employment settings.
PRIORITY 3: COMMUNITY INCLUSION AND INTEGRATION
Maine citizens with disabilities will not be subject to restrictive living situations when they could otherwise be integrated and will have access to assistive technology necessary for community inclusion and integration.
PRIORITY 4: TRAINING AND OUTREACH
People with disabilities, family members, providers, and supporters will be trained on assistive technology.
Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access
PRIORITY 1: VOTING PARTICIPATION
Ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities
PRIORITY 2: INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION
Provide education, training and assistance to individuals with disabilities that will promote their participation in the electoral process.
PRIORITY 3: SYSTEMS ADVOCACY
Participate in advocacy and education efforts revolving around HAVA implementation efforts in Maine.
PRIORITY 4: TRAINING
Train and educate election officials, poll workers, and election volunteers regarding the rights of the voters with disabilities and best practices in working with individuals with disabilities.
PRIORITY 5: DUE PROCESS
Assist individuals with disabilities in filing complaints under the State-based administrative grievance procedure required by HAVA and represent individuals with disabilities in any hearing that may be held regarding the complaint.
PRIORITY 6: VOTING ACCESSIBILITY
Provide assistance to State and other governmental entities regarding the physical accessibility of polling places.
PRIOIRTY 7: ORGANIZATIONAL TRAINING
Obtain training and technical assistance on voting issues, including education regarding accessible voting equipment and systems. Once educated, the information may be used to inform others of the availability of accessible voting equipment and its use.
The Disability Rights
Center seeks public comment
on our Program Priorities throughout the year. To submit a comment, please send us an e-mail.