What We Do

The right to access medical records is related to confidentiality. In this area, however, the rights regarding psychiatric records are not identical to those regarding other medical records. In general people are entitled to receive copies of their medical records ... [ more ]

An advance directive for health care is a legal document which allows people to indicate their preferences for treatment and designate someone to make decision on their behalf if they are unable to do so ... [ more ]

In instances where CLRP is unable to provide duplicate representation, it can, in its discretion, collaborate with non-CLRP attorneys to provide information, clarification or advocate for a client's expressed preference ... [ more ]

Treating professionals have a legal obligation to protect both the fact of your treatment and the details of your treatment and keep information confidential. Both state and federal law require that your protected health information remain confidential ... [ more ]

Conservators are appointed by the Probate Court to help individuals who are found to be unable to care for themselves and/or their property. Conservators can help individuals with mental health conditions manage aspects of daily living, such as paying bills, if they are unable to handle it themselves ... [ more ]

Most landlords, and some employers, obtain the credit history of people applying for housing or jobs and use this information in making decisions. You want to make sure the information in your report is accurate ... [ more ]

People living with mental health conditions often become involved with the criminal justice system for reasons related to their disability as well as the fact that they may not have access to the affordable housing or support services they need to maintain their stability and recovery. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in collaboration with the Court Support Services ... [ more ]

Providing culturally competent services is fundamental to assuring that services are individualized and sensitive to the needs of the person receiving treatment in accordance with the Patients' Bill of Rights and Individualized Recovery and Treatment Policy ... [ more ]

Due process is the legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person. Due process balances the power of law of the land and protects the individual person from it. When a government harms a person without following the exact course of the law, this constitutes a due process violation, which offends the rule of law ... [ more ]

Persons with disabilities have specific rights with respect to educational services. These include the general rights under state and federal law not be discriminated against and to receive a reasonable accommodation if that is required to access these services ... [ more ]

Employees who are qualified individuals with a disability have a right not to have adverse job action taken because of their disability. Adverse job action includes demotion and termination. The right not to be discriminated against in employment is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act and state law ... [ more ]

Section 504, as it is often called, is a federal civil rights law that covers the rights of all individuals with disabilities. It prohibits disability discrimination by any program or activity that receives federal funds ... [ more ]

CLRP provides education, advice and representation to clients on discrimination related matters, specifically people who are being denied safe, decent and affordable housing because of their disability. However, CLRP can become involved in a broader range of problems, collaborating with providers to intervene and resolve housing issues as early as possible. Clients have received representation to obtain repairs, end harassment, prevent eviction, or obtain supportive services that would allow them to retain their housing. [ more ]

Individuals with disabilities should live in the community of their choice in the least restrictive environment and receive the necessary and appropriate services that will help them maintain their independence ... [ more ]

Persons living with lived mental health experience should play a central role in shaping the programs and policies that serve them ... [ more ]

You have the right to manage your own money and property until a court finds that you are incapable of doing so, and orders the appointment of a conservator. You can also ask the Probate Court to appoint a voluntary "conservator of estate" to manage your money. [ more ]

CLRP may represent nursing home resident applicants that the program has previously served or who are not served by Disability Rights Connecticut and meet CLRP's eligibility requirements. The placement of an individual with mental illness in a nursing home can raise many issues regarding the legal rights of that person ... [ more ]

There has been an increasing recognition that the mental health system must address the need for age appropriate services to meet the needs of aging adult ... [ more ]

All people have the right to bear and raise children without government interference. However, this is not a guaranteed right. Governments may intervene in family life in order to protect children from abuse or neglect, imminent danger or perceived imminent danger ... [ more ]

Every person has the right to be actively involved in developing his or her own recovery plan and to get services that provide specialized treatment suited to his or her disorder ... [ more ]

Residential Care Homes, often call boarding homes, are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, but do not provide a range of health care services. Under state law, they are required to provide food, shelter and "services which meet a need beyond the basic provision of food, shelter and laundry" ... [ more ]

Social Security Disability is a monthly cash benefit payment made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to people who are unable to work for a year or more due to physical, mental, and/ or developmental disability... [ more ]

"Children" (people up to and including the age of 21 who have not received a high school diploma) with disabilities that interfere with their educational progress are entitled to special education and related services, including transition planning and transition services, beyond the age of 18 ... [ more ]

State statutes and the State Constitution prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities in, among other things, exercising their civil rights ... [ more ]

Providing age appropriate services to young adults with psychiatric disabilities is covered by the Patient's Bill of Rights and the DMHAS Policy on Individualized Treatment and Recovery Planning ... [ more ]