Consumer Bill of Rights

All people with disabilities who receive services/supports funded through the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals (MHRH ) are entitled to the following rights:

• You have the same constitutional rights as anyone else.
  
  
• You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
  
  
• Services/supports should be explained to you in a manner in which you can understand them?
  
  
• You have the right to say no to anything that can hurt you or that you do not want.
  
  
• You can see any and all files related to you, including your case record, medical and professional reports.
  
  
• You have the right to decide what kinds of services/supports you need and want.
  
  
• You have the right to plan your own life and choose who you want to help develop your plan.
  
  
• You have the right to have privacy.
  
  
• You have the right to be protected from abuse, neglect and mistreatment.
  
  
• You can file a complaint or file a grievance for things you are unhappy with at the agency you receive services from.

You can question the process for any decision relating to your eligibility or funding from a state agency by filing an appeal. (These rights have been developed and approved by the People's Advocacy Council (PAC) ...advisory to the Director of MHRH. See: http://www.mhrh.state.ri.us/pdfs/bill_of_rights.pdf .)