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The Rhode Island Disability Law Center

PRIORITY SEVEN:

Subject to the factors for determining acceptance of cases, provide individual representation to clients in the following list of areas:

  1. SAFETY

    1. Represent victims of abuse or neglect in public or private day and residential facilities, when any of the issues in the following list are involved:

      • Physical, sexual, or psychological abuse.


      • Seclusion, restraint (including chemical), or aversive interventions without informed consent having been obtained


      • Deprivation of necessities, including medical and mental health treatment.


      • An unsafe environment, or proposed discharge to or placement in an unsafe environment.


      • Involuntary placement in residential care and treatment centers.


      • Any action or inaction which deprives a person with disabilities of the right to exercise his/her statutory rights.


      • The unauthorized release of confidential information.


    2. Represent persons contesting a guardianship, a petition for guardianship, the scope of a guardianship, or the appointment of a particular person as a guardian.


    3. Represent persons alleged to be unable to give informed consent prior to medical treatment or procedures.


  2. CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION

    1. Represent children and youth who are detained inappropriately in hospitals or other restrictive environments.


    2. Represent students who have been excluded from school without any plan for their return.


    3. Represent students whose current or proposed educational placement is not in the least restrictive environment appropriate to meet the student's individual needs.


    4. Represent students at risk of school failure due to inappropriate educational programming.


    5. Represent students who are not provided appropriate school-to-adult transition planning and services.


  3. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

    1. Represent persons denied or incurring delays in acquiring assistive technology devices or services due to the actions of funding sources.


    2. Represent persons seeking to enforce the state Consumer Enforcement of Assistive Technology Device Warranties Act and Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Act.


  4. EMPLOYMENT

    1. Represent persons denied or incurring delays in receiving appropriate vocational rehabilitation, employment, or independent living services.


    2. Represent persons in their efforts to obtain appropriate Social Security Administration work incentives.


    3. Represent Social Security beneficiaries receiving inappropriate or inadequate services in their efforts to obtain or maintain employment, or who are otherwise discriminated against in employment.


    4. Represent Social Security beneficiaries concerning work-related Social Security Administration overpayments and continuing disability reviews.


  5. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES

    1. Represent persons who remain in hospitals, nursing homes, or other restrictive environments due to a shortage of community alternatives.


    2. Represent persons denied home- and community-based services due to the state's determination of ineligibility based on nature or severity of disability.


    3. Represent persons denied reasonable accommodations, or otherwise discriminated against, in housing.


  6. GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS

    1. Represent persons denied physical accessibility, policy modifications, or auxiliary communication aids and services by state or local governments, including public schools, colleges and universities.


    2. Represent persons denied physical accessibility, policy modifications, or auxiliary communication aids and services by private schools, colleges and universities.


    3. Represent persons denied physical accessibility, policy modifications, or auxiliary communication aids and services by health care providers.


    4. Represent persons denied full participation in the electoral process.


  7. CRIMINAL JUSTICE

    1. Represent persons denied adequate medical and mental health treatment in correctional facilities.


    2. Represent persons denied equal access to services in correctional facilities.