Know Your Rights
True or False?
Your staff can read your text messages whenever they want because they are helping you.
FALSE! You have a right to privacy and private communication.
True or False?
Self-advocacy means speaking up about what you want and what is important to you.
True!
True or false?
You can still vote even if you are under guardianship.
True. You are still eligible to vote and no one can pressure you into how to vote.
Myth or Fact?
If you have a guardian, they make all of your decisions for you.
Myth! Even under guardianship people retain the right to make many decisions for themselves.
True of False?
staff can tell me I am not allowed to wear my pajamas to the grocery store.
False! You get to decide what you wear.
Bob told his staff he wants to go on a diet to lose weight for his health. That night for dinner, Bob asks staff to make him a frozen pizza instead of the salad they prepared. Staff tell Bob that pizza isn't healthy and he needs to follow his diet.
Who decides what Bob eats for dinner?
A. Staff
B. Bob
C. Bob's Doctor
D. Whoever is cooking
Answer B - Bob!
Fill in the blank:
You got into an argument with a staff person. They take your iPad and said you'll get it back later. You don't think this is fair and violates your rights.
You can call your case manager and ask them to file a __________ Event.
Reportable.
All of your service providers are Required Reporters and should file a Reportable Event when you ask them to.
Jamie wants help reading their ballot and filling it out. Jamie wants to have her family friend help her in the polling booth. Is this allowed?
Yes. You can get help with voting if you want it.
Myth of Fact:
If I am receiving services, my staff are the Boss of me.
Myth! You are in charge of your own life. Staff are there to support you. You are the boss!
I want to watch a super scary movie that is rated R but my staff thinks it might be too scary for me. Who decides what movie to watch?
I do!
Fill in the blank:
You have the right to be treated with ___________.
Correct answers: Dignity, Respect
Your team has a meeting about you tomorrow. You really want your friend Sam there because Sam helps you explain what you want. Someone says, “Sam isn't part of the team.” What could you say?
"I want Sam at my meeting" "It is my meeting I decide who is invited" "Not letting Sam attend is a violation of my rights"
Question: Which of these are ways you can vote in Maine?
A. In person on Election Day
B. By absentee ballot
C. Early at your town or city clerk’s office
D. Using an accessible voting option
E. All of the above
E. All of the above!
Which statement is a FACT?
A. Staff can make your choices if they disagree with you.
B. Having a disability means you have fewer rights.
C. You can speak up when you disagree with something happening in your life.
D. Your team always knows what is best for you.
C! You can speak up when you disagree.
When planning your annual Person Centered Planning (PCP) meeting, which of the following do you get to decide?
A. When the meeting takes place
B. Where the meeting takes place
C. Who is invited to the meeting
D. All of the Above
D! You decide all aspects of your PCP meeting scheduling and the plan itself!
Marcus gets a letter in the mail from someone he is dating. Before giving it to him, a staff member opens it and reads it. The staff member says, “I just need to make sure there isn't anything bad in here.”
Question:
What is wrong with this situation? What could Marcus say or do?
Marcus has a right to privacy and private communication. His mail should not be opened, delayed, or censored just because he receives services. He could tell staff he wants his mail kept private, talk to his case manager or team, report a possible rights violation, or ask an advocate for help.
Taylor wants to get a job, but someone on their team says, “I don't think you're ready for that.” What could Taylor do to advocate for themselves?
Say they want to work
ask that employment be included in their plan/goals
ask what support is available
ask questions
or get help from an advocate.
Pat asks staff for help marking their ballot. Staff says, “Sure! I think you should vote for this person.” Is that okay?
No. A helper should not pressure Pat or tell Pat who to vote for. Pat makes their own choices.
Nina wants to start dating. Someone on her team says, “People receiving services shouldn't date because relationships cause drama and problems”.
Is this a Myth of Fact? Explain your answer.
MYTH! Having a disability does not mean other people automatically get to decide whether you can be in a relationship. Supporters can help someone understand healthy relationships and safety without simply taking away their choices.
Morgan wants bright purple hair. Morgan's mom/guardian hates purple hair and tells staff not to allow her to dye her hair. Who gets to choose Morgan's hair color?
Morgan! A guardian cannot order a service provider to violate your rights - your hair style is your choice!
Devon gets $40 of spending money each week and has a PCP goal to save up for a trip to Dollywood. Last week he spent the $40 on a birthday dinner for a friend, this week he asked staff to take him to Best Buy to purchase a new game he wants. Staff say "A game is a waste of money, you need to save up for your trip so we aren't taking you"
Which of Devon's rights are being violated?
Devon has a right to their own money and personal property. Staff can help Devon understand choices and make a budget, but support does not automatically mean staff gets to decide how Devon spends their money.
Staff should highlight the natural consequence of Devon buying the game, but not stop him from making his decision.
DOUBLE JEOPARDY!!!
Staff make a weekly meal schedule and post it on the fridge. It says what everyone will eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. You weren’t asked what you like or want to eat. When dinner comes, you ask for something different, but staff say, “You have to follow the menu, we already planned the whole week.”
Name TWO ways you could get help with this problem.
Any two of the following:
It's Election Day and the line is long. Chris has trouble standing for a long time and needs a chair. What can Chris do?
Ask for a chair/accommodation at the polling place.
Dylan sometimes makes choices that staff disagree with. Staff says, “Our job is to keep Dylan safe, so if we think a choice is a bad idea, we can just tell Dylan no.”
Question: Myth or fact? What's wrong with that statement?
MYTH! Supporting someone's health and safety does not mean making every decision for them. Adults with disabilities still have choices and rights. Support can include explaining risks, helping problem-solve, and finding safer ways to accomplish what Dylan wants.
Scenario:
Jamie wants to learn how to take the bus by themselves. Jamie’s team is worried Jamie might get lost, so they say Jamie cannot go unless staff comes along.
Question:
Does being worried about risk mean Jamie should automatically be told “no”? What could Jamie and the team do instead?
No! Jamie has the right to make choices and take reasonable risks. The team could talk with Jamie about the risks and find ways to support Jamie—like practicing the route, bringing a phone, or making a plan for what to do if Jamie gets lost.
DIGNITY OF RISK