This Declaration of Rights of Persons with Mental
Retardation and/or Other Developmental Disabilities is prepared with the full
knowledge that we are:
MINDFUL of the pledge of the
United Nations to take joint and separate action to promote higher standards
of living, full employment, and improved conditions of economic progress and
development;
REAFFIRMIING faith in human
rights and fundamental freedoms, in the principles of peace, dignity, and
the value inherent in every human being, and in the full understanding of
social justice;
RECALLING principles developed
and enunciated by national and international organizations which collectively
state principles developing all aspects of the rights of all persons;
EMPHASIZING that this document
builds upon others in proclaiming the necessity of protecting the rights and
assuring individualized services and habilitation of persons who have mental
retardation and/or physical, mental and/or other developmental disabilities;
BEARING IN MIND the need to
assist each person to develop his or her potential to the utmost and of promoting
to the greatest extent possible, his or her appropriate placement in the continuum
of life patterns.
We proclaim, therefore, this Declaration of Rights of Persons
with Mental Retardation and/or Other Developmental Disabilities, and we do call
for individuals and organizations on the local, national, and international
scene to support the common basic fundamentals of this statement which are to
develop an attitude for the provision and the protection of these inherent rights.
A person with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities:
Has the same inherent rights as other human beings, with those
rights protected to the maximum degree;
Has the right to professional services for assessment, diagnosis,
medical treatment, housing, advocacy, training, habilitation, and education
as determined by informed consent with such evaluations, determinations, and
services, subject to self-direction, appropriate review and the right
of appeal;
Has the right to the most appropriate services, in the least
restrictive setting, that will promote the development of a person's potential
to the highest degree possible while assuring the highest level of self dependence;
Has the right to economic security and the highest possible
standard of living;
Has the right to seek and obtain meaningful and productive
work in an integrated work setting, and to be reimbursed equitably;
Has the right to live in the community, and to be provided
with the greatest opportunities for developing bonds with family, friends,
and neighbors;
Has the right to qualified and responsible guardianship to
ensure individual rights, personal interests and well-being, if necessary;
Has the right to protection from exploitation, abuse, neglect,
mistreatment and/or degradation of any kind, and has a right to due process
of law with full recognition of individual rights and needs;
Has the right to exercise entitlements in the most meaningful
and appropriate manner and to be provided safeguards to prevent any form of
abuse through legal and/or human resources, through due process and/or through
professional support;
Has the right to all other entitlements including, but not
limited to privacy, confidentiality, communications, voting and sexual relationships.
ANCOR believes federal measures currently in place, which guarantee
people with disabilities the same constitutional rights as other Americans,
must be protected. These safeguards are critical to ensure that people with
disabilities participate fully in society.
We support:
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Federal Fair Housing Act
Americans with Disabilities Education Act
The Olmstead decision
The Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis & Treatment (EPSDT)
Law
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
