When Will MPAS Represent Me?

Mission and Guiding Principles

The mission of Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc. (MPAS) is to advocate and protect the legal rights of people with disabilities.

We work to fulfill our mission by (1) working toward systemic changes that advance the rights of all people with disabilities and (2) advocating for your individual rights in particular cases that meet our guidelines.

Due to limited resources, it is not possible for MPAS to provide legal services or direct representation to everyone who calls for assistance.  MPAS provides several different levels of support and assistance.  However, we believe that people with disabilities are their own best advocates.  Therefore, when appropriate, MPAS will provide you with information, training, advice, and written materials that can assist you in speaking for yourself.

MPAS’ systemic advocacy work is designed to protect and advance your rights as a person with disabilities so that:

¨      You can choose where and with whom you live, and can determine for yourself what supports you need.

¨      You have equal employment opportunities.

¨      Communities are accessible and inclusive.

¨      All children with disabilities are provided a quality education with all supports and accommodations they need to develop marketable skills.

¨      You are legally protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

¨      You have equal access to affordable, quality health care.

¨      You and all other individuals with disabilities fully enjoy the rights, benefits, and privileges the law guarantees you.

Anyone may call the MPAS Information and Referral Service when they have a rights or advocacy question related to their disability.  When appropriate, MPAS will provide you with information, referrals, or short-term technical assistance. 

You may be referred for MPAS direct legal representation if you are eligible and if your disability issue falls into one of the agency priorities listed on the following pages.  MPAS is not, however, able to take every case for direct representation.  MPAS reserves the right to select cases that:

¨      agree with the MPAS mission;

¨      have sound legal merit;

¨      have the potential for effecting broad policy or systemic change; and

¨      are consistent with legal ethical standards.

MPAS will not be able to take your case if you have other advocacy assistance or have the right to appointed counsel. 

We periodically redefine the priority issues that allow us to directly represent you after gaining input from consumers, advocates, and family members.  Reviews of disability research, local and national trends, and data analysis also help us determine our priority issues.

Priority Issues Considered for Direct Representation

Priority #1 - Eliminate Abuse/Neglect

Objectives:

1.       Individuals will not be subjected to restraint or seclusion.

2.       Individuals will not have staff working with them who have abused or neglected someone. 

3.       Individuals with disabilities will not be subjected to abuse/neglect.

Priority #2 - Improve the rights protection systems

Objectives:

1.       Individuals with disabilities will not be deprived of their rights as a result of a guardianship.

2.       Individuals with disabilities not have parental rights terminated because of their disability.

3.       Individuals with disabilities will have access to independent and effective rights protection systems.

Priority #3 - Eliminate employment barriers and enforce rights

Objectives:

1.       Improve access and rights to services within vocational rehabilitation, employment networks (EN), centers for independent living (CIL) and Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) programs.

2.       Individuals will assert their employment rights under the ADA and/or Section 504, as well as other employment laws.

3.       Individuals will secure due process with work-related overpayments including assistance in applying for work incentives.

4.       Employees with disabilities who have their employer as their representative payee at the Social Security Administration will be free from exploitation, abuse, and neglect. 

Priority #4 - Improve access to necessary services

Objectives:

1.       Individuals will have access to services that support them in all settings and/or promote community inclusion. 

2.       Governmental entities and providers of critical services will be accessible and provide needed accommodations.

Priority #5 - Ensure the right to high quality education

1.       Students will be indentified and evaluated for special education as appropriate.

2.       Eligible students at risk of discipline due to a disability related behavior will remain in school.

3.       Transition needs from post education to community living will be identified and adequately addressed.