As an adult with a developmental disability and as a consumer of services, I have the right to
Be treated as an adult human being
Be treated in a fair way
Be treated with respect
Not be teased, called names or hurt in other ways
Have friends
Go out and have fun
Have someone to love
Get married
Have children
Take care of my own money
Have control in my home
I have a right to laws that protect me
Get the same things as everybody else who does the same job (for example, coffee AND LUNCH breaks, medical benefits, vacation time and maternity leave)
Get the same medical services and care as other people
Not to be discriminated against for things like being male or female, the country my family comes from, my skin colour, my religious beliefs, who I choose to love or my disability
Get fair wages
Good Services
Have service providers I can count on
Be helped when it’s my turn in line
Be given the same service as everyone else
Ask questions if I need to know more
Get a different doctor if I want
Ask another doctor to check what my doctor said (get a second opinion)
Have doctors and dentists explain to me (not just to my parents, staff and others) why I need to have something done, what it will cost and what will happen if I get it done
Say “no” to medical care once I know what will happen if I say “no”
Be treated gently if I get medical care
I have a right to make informed choices and decisions in my life
Make decisions and choices based on my feelings, beliefs and what is important to me
Be told enough things to help me decide (make an informed choice)
Take chances (risks) once I know what might happen
Decide what I do on my own time
Decide what I do with my own things
Decide how I plan my future (what goals I set and what I want to talk about when I plan)
Choose to live on my own or with others
Decide who comes into my home
Choose the services I use
Have choices when I use services, including where I live, who I live with, what I eat, what changes happen in my home, what work I do, when I go to the bathroom, what doctor I go to, what my doctor does to me, and many other things
Make mistakes
Change my mind
Decide to stop using a service
Choose when I need support
I also know that everyone else has rights too, so I should
Not do other things that take away other people’s rights
Treat other people as I want to be treated
Be a responsible adult
I have the right to support
Get help, if I need it, with things like finding a place to live, making a budget and learning what I need to learn
Have staff and other supporters (like family and friends) who treat me nice (kind, polite and with respect)
Have supporters who are helpful
Not be told off by supporters
Hear good things, not just bad things from my supporters
Have enough money from the government to buy the services and support I need
Get help with making decisions (from my guardian and others) if I need it
Have a say even if I need help making decisions
Privacy
Spend time alone, if I want
Have people get my OK to go into my locker at work
Have people knock or get me OK before they go into my room at home
Use the telephone without someone listening to what I am saying
Have the choice of going out without telling others where I am going
Have things my doctor knows about me be kept between us, unless I need help to understand
Safety and Protection
Feel safe when I use my services
Feel safe when I am out in the community
Not to be hurt, attacked or have my things taken from me
Learn how to take care of myself
Speak for myself and to be listened to
Speak my mind and give my opinions
Talk about my rights
Show my feelings
Make complaints if I’m not happy
Say “no”
Disagree with people
Have people listen to me when I talk
Have people try to understand me
Access
Get services in my community
Have good special (accessible) transportation, if I need it
Use seating for people with a disability on regular transportation, if I need it
Get around easier if I use a wheelchair (for example, ramps, curb cuts)
Be a part of and have access to a community (things like jobs and recreation)
Go to school and get the training I need to learn new things
