Institutional Rights and Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Our agency works to protect and advance the civil rights of people with disabilities, helps people with disabilities when their rights have been violated and seeks to ensure that people with disabilities have access to information about their rights.

Every individual is guaranteed certain rights under the United States Constitution, the Utah Constitution and other laws. Some of these rights include:

• The right to reasonably safe conditions of confinement, including access to adequate medical care and rehabilitation services
• The right to refuse medication and unwanted medical treatment
• The right to live in the most integrated setting

Some examples of our work in the area of protection and civil rights include:

• Investigating allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of people with disabilities
• Ensuring that restraint and seclusion are only used in compliance with laws, regulations and best practices
• Ensuring that the rights of individuals with disabilities who come into contact with law enforcement are protected
• Ensuring that individuals with disabilities who are confined in jails and prisons are treated humanely and that their constitutional rights are respected