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Audio (MP3) File Size: 13296 kb File Type: pdf Listen in New Window Presentation (PDF) File Size: 13296 kb File Type: pdf Open in new window Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission (IPAS) The Protection and Advocacy System for Indiana Member National Disability Rights Network This instructional presentation is not legal advice, and the presenter is not an attorney. IPAS’ Mission Statement To Protect and Promote the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities through Empowerment and Advocacy Who is IPAS? - A State Agency - Independent of all other agencies - Created in 1977 (DD Act) - Carries out 8 Federally Mandated Programs - Advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities To see that the human, legal and civil rights of people with disabilities are affirmed, Congress established protection and advocacy (P&A) systems in each state. Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission provides advocacy for Indiana citizens with disabilities. IPAS Programs - PADD: Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities - PAIMI: Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness - PAIR: Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights - CAP: Client Assistance Program - PAAT: Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology - PABSS: Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security - PATBI: Protection and Advocacy for Traumatic Brain Injury - PAVA: Protection and Advocacy for Voting Accessibility What does IPAS do? Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission (IPAS) assists citizens of Indiana who have a disability and are either being denied a right or are being discriminated against because of that disability. Too often, individuals with disabilities are: - Abused or neglected by caregivers - Denied appropriate medical, habilitation, or psychiatric treatment - Denied free and appropriate public educational services - Discriminated against when trying to obtain employment services - Denied the ability to make their own decisions and be a fully participating member of the community - Denied the assistive technology services or devices they need to be more independent - Denied the control of their private information being released without their consent; and - Denied the right to make their own choices as they prepare for employment through Vocational Rehabilitation or Ticket To Work training programs Every year, IPAS represents hundreds of Hoosiers with disabilities in securing their rights to full community participation and helps thousands more through information, referral, education and training services IPAS can help by: - Helping you understand your rights - Helping you learn self-advocacy skills - Advising you on what steps you can take to secure your rights, such as appealing denials and filing complaints with appropriate governmental agencies; and - Representing you with an IPAS Advocacy Specialist or IPAS Attorney to correct rights violations. IPAS Staff - Executive Staff - Support Services - Client and Legal Services - Advocacy Specialists - Attorneys The IPAS Commission - Oversees the Agency - Establishes annual priorities for each program - Made up of 13 members - The Governor appoints four Mental Illness Advisory Council - To advise the Commission on mental illness matters - Assist the IPAS Commission in developing agency priorities and goals - Reports to PAIMI funding source on IPAS progress on priorities and objectives. Priorities - Every year, the IPAS commission develops and refocuses priorities to determine how its efforts will be directed Priority Development - IPAS staff consider federal laws such as the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 - Data is collected from critical barrier surveys - Public input is collected - Suggestions from partner organizations - Finally, IPAS staff experience is considered IPAS Guiding Principles - Client Centered Advocacy - Least Intrusive Intervention - Encourage Client Independence - Utilize Community Resources - Keep Client Informed Client Centered Advocacy - Efforts are centered on the Client’s Interests - The client is the individual we service, not the referring agent, service provider, agency administrators, family members or another party - Respect the Clients Individual Dignity - Respect the Clients Personal Preferences - Actions are not to be taken contrary to the Client’s wishes or choice Clients Centered Advocacy Client’s Personal Preferences While respected, there are times IPAS may decline assistance. This may occur if: - The client asks for help with actions which would pose an immediate and substantial threat to their physical, mental health or safety, or - If the requested action is outside of the agency’s established priorities Services of IPAS - Information and Referral - Technical Assistance - Advice and support for those self advocating - Individual Representation and Advocacy - Advocacy Specialist and or Attorney - System Advocacy - Education and Training How To Access IPAS - Simply by calling One of the Intake Advocates 1-800-622-4845 or (317)722-5555 voice 1-800-838-1131 TTY - Or Write to 4701 North Keystone Avenue, Ste 222 Indianapolis, Indiana 46205 Visit our Web site at: www.IN.gov/ipas info@ipas.in.gov Overview - IPAS is able to serve any individual with a disability within the 8 programs - IPAS is not an emergency service like APS or CPS - Issue has to be related to the disability - Discrimination - Access to - Programs - Buildings - Denial of Rights, due to their disability