Consumer Rights

DISABILITY RIGHTS CALIFORNIA (DSC) is a private, non-profit organization established to protect the legal, civil and service rights of Californians with mental or developmental disabilities. Federal law requires each state to have such a protection and advocacy system. PAI has entered into a contract with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), State of California, to provide Clients’ Rights Advocacy services at each of the 21 regional centers located statewide.

These services include, among other things, technical assistance on the rights of people with developmental disabilities to regional center consumers, their families, agency staff, and interested community members, direct representation in selected cases, and investigation of any right to which a regional center consumer is entitled which has been abused, punitively withheld, or improperly or unreasonable denied. The contract expires on June 30, 2006. However, the contract may be renewed subject to the approval of the DDS.

Each Clients’ Rights Advocate position is located at or near the main office of each regional center. The Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) positions are funded under this contract.

The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy is responsible for the following:

1. Provide clients’ rights advocacy services to persons with developmental
disabilities who are consumers of regional centers, including ensuring the rights of persons with developmental disabilities, assisting persons with
developmental disabilities in pursuing administrative and legal remedies, and direct representation of persons with developmental disabilities in selected cases.

2. Investigate and take action as appropriate and necessary to resolve complaints from or concerning persons with developmental disabilities residing in licensed health and community care facilities regarding abuse, and unreasonable denial, or punitive withholding of rights guaranteed under this division.

3. Provide consultation, technical assistance, supervision and training, and support services for clients’ rights advocates that were previously the responsibility of the Office of Human Rights.

4. Coordinate the provision of clients’ rights services in consultation with DDS, stakeholder organizations, and persons with developmental disabilities and their families representing California’s multi-cultural diversity.

5. Provide at least two self-advocacy training session per year for consumers and family members.

To Contact the Clients Rights Advocate call:

Wendy Dumlao

619-239-7877

4355 Ruffin Rd., Suite 200
San Diego, CA, 92123
phone: (858) 576-2996
fax: (858) 576-2873