You have the same rights all citizens have, unless they have been taken away by a judge. These rights include the right to vote, practice a religion, keep your own possessions, contract for something such as buying a house, and to get married. You cannot be treated differently because of your disability.

You also have these rights:

• No one has the right to hurt you, take advantage of you or ignore your needs.
• You have the right to live and receive services where you can make as many of your own decisions as possible. This may be with your family, with your friends, alone or where there are people trained to help you.
• You have the right to go to public school until age 22.
• Before you receive services, a doctor or a psychologist must determine that you have an intellectual or developmental disability and explain to you what that means. If you do not agree with them you can do the following.
  • You can ask for a meeting to review your case.
  • You can ask for a second opinion that you would pay for with your own money.
  • You can ask for services from other agencies and organizations.
• For issues needing consent, you should be able to understand what you agree to. If you have a guardian, he or she may make decisions for you.
• Before a guardian is named, you will have a hearing in court with a judge. Only a judge can give you a guardian. That guardian may be a parent or another adult. This hearing is considered due process.
• If you are looking for a job and have the skills to do the job, you cannot be denied it just because of your disability. If you have a job, you have the right to be paid fairly like everyone else.
• You have the right to have treatment and services that are best for you. You can change your mind about any or all of the services you receive.