Bill of Rights You have the right to be treated fairly and with respect and more.
Self-Determination Self-determination is an idea that includes people choosing and setting their own goals, being involved in making life decisions, self-advocating, and working to reach their goals.
Types of Advocacy There are three types of advocacy - self-advocacy, individual advocacy and systems advocacy. The CED is involved in all areas of advocacy for people with disabilities and their families.
West Virginia Resources
Fair Shake Network The Fair Shake Network is a West Virginia organization dedicated to advocating for disability rights and educating policymakers and the public about disability issues.
Legal Aid of West Virginia focuses its work in three broad program areas: Civil Legal Aid, Behavioral Health Advocacy, and Long-Term and Elder Care (Ombudsman).
People First WV People First is a self-advocacy organization that helps individuals with disabilities learn how to be their own best advocate.
WV Human Rights Commission The WV Human Rights Commission advocates for respect, tolerance, and mutual understanding in communities regardless of race, gender, religious persuasion, ethnicity, or disability.
WV DHHR: Types of Guardianship Guardianship does not have to be an all-or-nothing decision. If your family member needs help in some areas of life there are a range of options that let you help.
Disability Rights of WV o State designated protection and advocacy program for West Virginians with disabilities. DRWV provides consultation and education services on human and legal rights.
West Virginia Advocates, Inc. State designated protection and advocacy program for West Virginians with disabilities and their families. Phone: Phone: (304) 346-0847 (V/TTY) 1-800-950-5250
Medley/Hartley Advocacy Program o The Medley/Hartley Advocacy Program (MHAP) helps assure all active Medley and Hartley class members have behavioral health services, rehabilitation services, free and appropriate public education and individualized treatment in the most integrated setting.
Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology PAAT was created in 1994 when Congress expanded the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with disabilities Act (Tech Act). This program was formed to help individuals with disabilities obtain assistive technology devices and services.
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities o Established by Congress under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance Bill of Rights (DD) Act of 1975. In 1977, the PADD program was established in West Virginia. The PADD program serves to advocate that individuals (adults and children) with developmental disabilities are afforded appropriate services in accordance with their individual needs.
Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) o Established by Congress under the Rehabilitation Act of 1993. In 1994 WVA was designated the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR). The PAIR program was formed to assist individuals with disabilities who were not already eligible for other advocacy programs within WVA.
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) o Established by Congress under the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act of 1986. PAIMI was formed to help individuals with mental illness in both institutional and community settings and to investigate abuse, neglect and rights violations on their behalf.
Protection and Advocacy for the Help America Vote Act (PAVA) o Established in 2003 as part of the Help American Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). The PAVA program seeks to ensure that individuals with disabilities have full participation in the electoral process through voter education regarding registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing the polling sites. Activities also include training of poll officials and polling site accessibility surveys.
Autism National Committee An autism advocacy organization dedicated to "Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism".
