How DRI Helps
Disability Rights Iowa doesn’t stand by and let abuse and neglect happen. We take action through investigations, monitoring, and individual and systemic advocacy. We bring dignity, respect, and safety to individuals with disabilities or mental illness by focusing on the following goals:
Investigating Abuse and Neglect in Facilities
A core function of Disability Rights Iowa is to reduce abuse and neglect in facilities. We conduct investigations and coordinate with the Department of Inspections and Appeals, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and others, to prevent abuse and neglect in facilities across Iowa. We are also involved in improving enforcement and oversight agencies’ investigations by issuing public reports, when appropriate, to create systemic change.
How We Will Achieve This Goal
Conduct individual investigations into suspected abuse or neglect, including deaths and injuries of individuals with disabilities resulting from abuse or neglect.
Provide information, referrals, and individual advocacy to those who request help. This includes technical assistance, negotiation, legal, or other assistance to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities or mental illness who are receiving services in facilities or service settings.
Monitoring Facilities Concerning the Rights and Safety of Residents
Disability Rights Iowa can determine a facility’s compliance with residents’ rights and safety by monitoring and visiting facilities. DRI monitors facilities or service settings with allegations of abuse or neglect, with records of abuse or neglect, or as a matter of routine check-ins. Monitoring includes meeting and communicating privately with individuals, interviewing administrators and other staff, inspecting, viewing, and photographing all areas of a facility used by residents or accessible to residents.
How We Will Achieve This Goal
Monitor at least three (3) residential care facilities; mental health institutes, state resource centers, and an additional three (3) intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, one (1) provider of services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, and three (3) nursing facilities.
Provide rights and self-advocacy information, on an individual basis, to individuals residing in the facilities monitored.
Investigating Abuse or Neglect in Home and Community-Based Settings
The Department of Inspections and Appeals does not investigate abuse and neglect in home and community-based settings. Instead, the Department of Human Services, which also contracts with home and community-based service providers, investigates dependent adult abuse reports. To ensure that an independent entity investigates abuse and neglect in home and community-based service settings, DRI has made this an area of focus.
How We Will Achieve This Goal
Conduct individual investigations into suspected abuse or neglect of service recipients by HCBS providers, including deaths and injuries of individuals with disabilities resulting from abuse or neglect.
Provide individual representation or advocacy, including technical assistance, negotiation, or other assistance, to protect HCBS service recipients’ rights related to abuse and neglect.
Monitoring Home and Community-Based Settings
On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Court held that public entities must provide community-based services to persons with disabilities when (1) such services are appropriate; (2) the affected persons do not oppose community-based treatment; and (3) community-based services can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the public entity and the needs of others who are receiving disability services from the entity. To ensure that individuals living in home and community-based settings are safe and have their rights protected, DRI monitors such settings.
How We Will Achieve This Goal
Conduct monitoring visits to at least six (6) home and community settings.
Advocating for Systemic Change
In March 2020, DRI wrapped up a class-action lawsuit against the Boys State Training School for the abuse and neglect inflicted on boys with disabilities and mental illness in their facility. The judge ruled all actions performed by the facility violated the state training schoolboys’ Constitutional rights and ordered extensive changes for the facility. This case was a significant win for the boys at the state training school and DRI. Our involvement in systemic advocacy rewards and enriches the state of Iowa each day by striving for equality and justice for every individual.
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