What Are My Rights?
This activity aims to learn more about disability rights.
Discuss
Today, we’re going to talk about something really important — disability rights. Everyone deserves a fair chance to learn, work, and be part of their community — no matter their disability or supports needed to feel included. Sometimes, people with disabilities might face barriers that make things harder for them. That’s why there are disability rights — rules and laws that help make sure things are fair. There are two major federal laws that give you disability rights.
One is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, also known as IDEA, which helps students with disabilities get the support they need at school. A free and appropriate public education (FAPE) means you can go to school and learn like everyone else, at no cost to your family. The way this is done is through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is a plan made just for you that explains your goals and what help you’ll get. The IEP can include services and supports like speech therapy, a special teacher, or extra time on tests based on your unique needs. You have the right to be a part of any of these school meetings and any decisions that are being made. Students are no longer covered by IDEA once they leave or graduate from high school.
Second is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which helps make sure things are fair and accessible for everyone at school, at work, and in the community. This can mean access to public places like schools, stores, and parks. This provides rights to get and do jobs without unfair treatment. This also means rights to communication in ways that work for you, like sign language or written information. This also means rights to ask for changes or help, like reasonable accommodations to help you participate or do a job. These are rights that are with you your whole life.
Reflect
If you are a part of any disability support networks, many will have a list of your rights and responsibilities that you can ask for. Or explore some of the resources in the Click and Explore below.
- How do these rights relate to you in your life now, what about in the future?
- Were there any rights that surprised you? Why?
- What right(s) would you like to know more about?
- How can knowing your rights empower or help you?
Click and Explore
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | U.S. Department of Education – provides guidance, resources, and technical assistance related to IDEA.
- Applicant and Eligible Individuals Rights | Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities - provides a list of rights and processes for using these rights with their vocational rehabilitation (VR) services.
- Employment Discrimination FAQ | Disability Rights Ohio – reviews support, protections, and rights under the employment discrimination laws.
- Guide to Disability Rights Law | U.S. Department of Justice – provides an overview of federal civil rights laws that ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
- A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment | U.S. Department of Justice – answers questions you may have about your employment rights under the ADA.
Extending the Conversation
If you have a developmental disability, there may be other rights that are extended to you. It is helpful to know about your rights because you have many rights to make decisions for yourself. It is important to hear stories of others and to think about what you want for yourself.
Reflect
In this video, Ohio advocates explain the Disability Bill of Rights as it relates to their life. As you watch this video, think about how these rights relate to you and your life both now and in the future. [Note to Instructors: You can print and use The Bill of Rights List which follows the order of the video. Pause as needed for conversation or explanation. The Bill of Rights Easy Read Guide can be printed and shared with students.]
