Empowering Individuals: Disability Rights Florida Services Guide

1. How We Can HelpPresentation to GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM May 19 , 2011Noon

2. Your Presenters Edie Sheeks, Attorney Maryellen McDonald, Director Ann Siegel, Attorney/Manager Christopher White, Attorney Phoebe Ball, Attorney Linda Siemer, Advocate Ann Robinson, Intake Manager

3. Topics for Today • Description • Mission • Authority • Goals • Intake Services • How to Request Assistance • Initiatives • Where to Learn More

4. Disability Rights Florida • Disability Rights Florida is the designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. • Disability Rights Florida has authority and responsibility under eight federal grants. • Established in 1987, Disability Rights Florida is a statewide, not-for-profit corporation.

5. Our Mission To advance the quality of life, dignity, equality, self-determination, and freedom of choice of persons with disabilities through collaboration, education, advocacy, as well as legal and legislative strategies.

6. Federal Protection and Advocacy Programs • Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) • Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) • Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI)

7. Federal Protection and Advocacy Programs • Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) • Individual Rights (PAIR) • Voter Access (PAVA) • Assistive Technology (PAAT)

8. and the Client Assistance Program (CAP) • Applicants and customers of: • Vocational Rehabilitation, • Blind Services, and • Centers for Independent Living

9. Authority to Access • Facilities • Including state hospitals, crisis stabilization units, residential treatment facilities, short term residential treatment centers, group homes, intermediate care facilities for people with DD, jails, prisons, and other types of facilities. • Records • With consent of individual, legal guardian or court order • And in special cases, without consent

10. Authority to Pursue • Legal • Administrative • Other appropriate remedies

11. Disability Rights Florida Services are free and confidential to individuals with disabilities

12. EDUCATION GOALS & SERVICES • Access to a free and appropriate public education in the most inclusive environment • Necessary accommodations, services, supports mandated by federal and state law, ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and IDEA • Individual case advocacy including representation at IEPs, mediation, or administrative hearings

13. CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM & EMPLOYMENT • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) • Eligibility for services, order of selection, when to apply • Services Available

14. GUARDIANSHIP • Basic Principles • Person Centered Planning • Least Restrictive Decision-Making Options

15. INSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS • Advocacy for Children in Residential Settings and SIPPS • Assisting Children with Disabilities in the Dependency System

16. Intake Role • Brief I&R for general disability related requests • Refer complex issues, disputes or rights violations for additional review by Disability Rights Florida teams

17. Intake Process • Contact must be by individual with disability or authorized representative - parent of a minor child, guardian etc. • Individuals represented by legal counsel will be referred back for their attorney to contact us • Individuals will be responded to within 4 working days but often are responded to within 2 days or less if intake staff are able to take the call directly

18. When You Call to Request Service • 800-342-0823/TDD 800-346-4127 • We will gather information • Review your request • Provide follow-up information and referral • Discuss possible services

19. Or You May Request Services On-Line www.DisabilityRightsFlorida.org • Visit the Contact Tab • Use an Online Form to Request Services

20. Se Habla Espanol • Bilingual staff • Translated publications • Spanish website content

21. Services to Individuals • Information and referrals • Self-advocacy support • Technical assistance • Investigations into complaints of abuse, neglect and rights violations

22. Services to Individuals • Dispute resolution support • Negotiation and mediation support • Advocacy services

23. Statewide Initiatives • Educating policy makers about the needs of people with disabilities • Systemic advocacy • Collaborative work with community partners on disability rights issues

24. Statewide Initiatives • Monitoring of public programs and facilities • Examples: • Representative payees • State Mental Health Treatment Facilities • Receiving facilities • Group living facilities of various types

25. Statewide Initiatives • Workshops and trainings • Examples: • 10 Steps to Effective Self-Advocacy • Guardianship and Alternatives • Special Education Law • See also www.DisabilityRightsFlorida.org • On-line self-advocacy and disability topic resources

26. Statewide Initiatives • An Exceptional Cause • A Pro Bono and CLE opportunity for lawyers to assist students with disabilities

27. Connect! • Sign up for our Electronic Newsletter • Follow Disability Rights Florida on Facebook and Twitter • Request a publication • Attend a workshop or outreach event

28. 2728 Centerview Drive, Suite 102 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 800.342.0823 • TDD 800.346.4127 www.DisabilityRightsFlorida.org