[ASL] What are the Rights of a Person in an Institution? 

What are the rights of a person in an institution?
When someone lives in a
public or private institution, they are still a part
of the local community. They have rights and it’s important
to know those rights and what to do if
they are violated. Know they have:
The right to
adequate health care.
The right to have
informed consent about the purpose of your
stay every step of the way.
This includes your right
to know and be involved with your treatment plan,
to know you can refuse
medication in most cases, and to know your
discharge plan.
The rights to privacy, possessions, respect and confidentiality.
The right to be protected from restraint, seclusion, abuse
and mistreatment.
Mistreatment and abuse includes
physical and verbal abuse, lack of adequate nutrition
or hydration, and withholding food.
The right to have
reasonable accommodations in accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Examples of these accommodations are the right to use mobility
devices to get around, such as a motorized scooter, cane, or walker, and the right to have access
to interpreters, such as ASL interpreters.
The right for families and friends
to visit during visitation hours.
The right to vote.
The right to make a complaint
to the institution if your rights are violated.
And finally, the right to get treatment in
the least restrictive environment, such as in the community and
outside the institution.
If you believe someone’s
rights are being violated or if someone is being held
in an institution unjustly, contact your state’s or territory’s
protection and advocacy organization (also called a P&A).
P&As have the authority to enter facilities to investigate
cases of abuse and neglect. P&As can also advocate on
behalf of people in institutions if their rights are
being violated.
In some states, you can file a petition
if you or a loved one is involuntarily held
or treated somewhere. Remember, people in institutions
are a part of the community and deserve the same equal rights and
respect as anyone in their community. They should not have to
“earn” their rights.
Visit our website: DisabilityRightsFlorida.org
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