Access Authority? Our P&As are the only federally designated organizations with access authority. Access authority gives our advocates the legal power to enter facilities serving people with disabilities, including hospitals, group homes, prisons, schools, and nursing homes with no advanced notice.
Targeted investigations – When abuse or neglect is suspected, we look into it. Private conversations – we can go into locked areas and ask residents questions. Routine monitoring - Our network performs reviews conditions, assess if rights are being violated, and educate individuals on their rights.
Uncovering abuses– We can expose restraint and seclusion, unclean rooms, emotional mistreatment, withholding medications or food, physical abuse and neglect. Quick fixes– Discovering hazards enables quick response. Accountability– Knowing inspections can happen encourages facilities to act better.
Legal Foundations and Tools: Broad Statutory Coverage– Laws grant us the right to access areas serving people with disabilities. Record & Data Access– Beyond physical presence, P&As have the legal authority to request records, especially when records may be tied to an abuse and neglect investigation
❗ This lifesaving authority is under threat. Politicians in Washington
have proposed massive cuts that could gut the P&A system.❗
Tell your members of congress to protect P&As: secure.everyaction.com/I6avR5LSvUam...
#DisabilityRights #StopTheCuts #AccessAuthority #ProtectPnAs