School to Work Opportunities Act

The School to Work Opportunities Act attempts to assure that every student will receive a meaningful education that will adequately prepare them for a role as a productive adult once they leave the public school system.

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin. The act applies to all types of housing and makes it unlawful to discriminate in any aspect of selling or renting housing due to disability. The act also requires owners to make reasonable exceptions to policy to afford people with disabilities equal housing opportunities. For example, making an exceptions to ?no pets? policies for people requiring service animals. To register a complaint of a violation or to request more information, contact:

Office of Program Compliance and Disability Rights
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, S.W., Room 5242
Washington, D.C. 20410

(800) 669-9777 (voice)
(800) 927-9275 (TTY)
www.hud.gov/offices/fheo

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act

The Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to investigate conditions of confinement at State and local government institutions such as public nursing homes, and institutions for people with developmental disabilities. If investigations uncover problems that seriously jeopardize the health and safety of residents of institutions the Attorney General may initiate civil lawsuits to protect constitutional rights of people with disabilities. For more information, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Special Litigation Section - PHB
Washington, D.C. 20530

(877) 218-5228 (voice/TTY)
www.usdoj.gov/crt/split

Telecommunications Act

The Telecommunications Act requires manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and services to assure that equipment and services are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. For more information, contact:

Federal Communications Commission
455 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554

(888) 225-5322 (voice)
(888) 835-5322 (TTY)
www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro

Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act

The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act requires polling places to be physically accessible to people with disabilities for federal elections and voting aids for elderly and people who are deaf. For more information, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Disability Rights Section - NYAV
Washington, D.C. 20530

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Voting Section - 1800 G
Washington, D.C. 20530

(800) 514-0301 (voice)
(800) 514-0383 (TTY)

(800) 253-3931 (voice/TTY)
www.ada.gov

General rights and protections

People with disabilities should have the expectation that they will be treated well when working with agencies that provide benefits or services. For example, if you are requesting services or benefits from the Social Security Administration, Medicaid or Medicare programs, State Office of Rehabilitation, State Division of Services for People with Disabilities, School District or State Division of Workforce Services you have the right to:

• apply and reapply for services;
• be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect;
• prevent an investigator from entering your home without permission;
• receive written notice of any change effecting your benefits, including notice that your application has been approved or denied;
• a conference with an agency representative or director and a fair hearing if you disagree;
• review your record, state statutes, rules and procedures

If you feel that your rights have been violated, most agencies have an ombudsman or constituent services representative who will handle your compliant. If it is a state agency and you are not satisfied with the response you received from the agency representative, contact the constituent services representative for the Governor of Utah.

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