All people with disabilities possess the civil and human rights afforded to all.
Right to Access Government Services and Programs
Enforce the right of individuals with disabilities to have equal opportunities to access state and local government services, programs and activities.
Iowans with disabilities are entitled to access government services, programs and activities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The inclusion of people with disabilities necessitates a wide and comprehensive approach, one which gives people with disabilities the opportunity to be included in every avenue of community life. Yet, community living doesn’t just take the form of supportive services or the narrow bands of activities stereotypically linked to people with disabilities. Integration means the full weaving of disability into the greater communal narrative.
Possible DRI activities to accomplish the goal:
- Provide individual and systemic legal advocacy concerning denial of equal access to state/local government services or other Title II public entities
- Enforce the right of students with disabilities to reasonable accommodations necessary for equal access to programs, services, activities, excluding accommodations related to an IEP pursuant to IDEA
Right to Places of Public Accommodation
Enforce the right of individuals with disabilities to places of public
accommodation.
People with disabilities are entitled to equal access to all places of public accommodation. Title
III of the Americans with Disabilities Act protects people with disabilities from discrimination
based on disability in places of public accommodation such as grocery stores, restaurants, sporting
events,
etc.
Possible DRI activities to accomplish this goal:
- Survey places of public accommodation to ensure that they are accessible and if not, to make recommendations on how they can become accessible
- Provide legal advocacy or representation concerning denial of requests for accommodations or denial of equal access to places of public accommodation
Unnecessary Substitute Decision Making
Self-Determination: Reduce the number of Iowans with unnecessary
substitute decision makers.
People with disabilities are at disproportionate risk of having their right to
make their own decisions and control their own lives stripped by courts or
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family members who believe their disability makes them incapable of doing so, or exposes them to
risk of harm or exploitation. Although guardianships and conservatorships are intended to be
limited and imposed only as a last resort, less restrictive alternatives and the legal obligations
of guardians, conservators, their attorneys, and courts, are too often overlooked in practice.
Possible DRI activities to accomplish the goal:
- Outreach to schools, providers and families to educate families of children with disabilities turning age 18 about alternatives to guardianship and supported decision-making options
- Participate in the Iowa Guardianship and Conservatorship Association to continue the discussion on reform and education
- Provide legal representation to individuals to assist with terminating, modifying or resisting establishment of unnecessary or abusive guardianships/conservatorships or other substitute decision makers
- Develop FAQ for DRI’s website on substitute decision making
- Develop resources for adults under guardianship who want to self- advocate for less restrictive alternatives
- Draft Powers of Attorney for individuals as an alternative to guardianships and/or conservatorships
Voting
Voting: Ensure voting is fully accessible for people with disabilities.
More than 300,000 Iowans have some kind of disability. They represent 11.7% of the civilian,
noninstitutionalized population. Although many issues affect
their lives, many Iowans with disabilities do not vote.
Possible DRI activities to accomplish this goal:
- Educate individuals with disabilities about their voting rights
- Provide individual advocacy to individuals with disabilities whose voting rights have been violated
- Collaborate with other organizations to increase advocacy regarding the need for accessible absentee ballots and accessibility of polling places
- Collaborate with the Secretary of State to produce poll worker training materials on accessibility
- Conduct surveys of polling places to ensure accessibility including voting equipment
- Explore accessibility barriers and options of caucuses and voter identification requirements
Defend your right to accessibility.
DRI can help.
Make a Donation
Support accessibility for Iowans with disabilities.
Want to Learn More?
Explore our accessibility resources.
