Advocate For Your Rights Videos

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We plan to cover a wide variety of video topics about the legal rights of people with disabilities.  Let us know how you like it, and what questions you would like to “ask the expert.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

During this health crisis, please know that the disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) remains open and committed to our mission.  We realize that some of our clients are the most at risk.  People with disabilities, especially people in congregate settings, are more vulnerable to contagion, are at higher risk of harm due to staffing problems, and at higher risk of harm due to mandatory isolation.

You can contact us at any time!  Advocates are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Call 1-800-552-3962 (toll-free) or 804-225-2042 to request assistance OR complete the Online Request for dLCV Services.  If you don’t speak English, we have access to a “language line” that helps us communicate with you in your own language.

COVID-19: Updates for the Community:

This video discusses the current nationwide emergency and its impact on the community we serve. Despite continued challenges, the staff at the disAbility Law Center of Virginia will continue providing advocacy and support to people with disabilities.

If you know about a situation that is unfolding or a rights violation going on in a facility, please call us at 800-552-3962 (Toll-Free).

COVID-19 and Advance Directives Information

Learn about how you can utilize Advance Directives in Virginia to protect and promote your healthcare decision-making rights during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond!

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COVID-19 and Social Security Recipients

This video explains SSA’s latest update on the economic impact payments and removes the confusion around extra steps that may be needed. It also tells you how to protect your benefits if you receive unemployment.

Social Security & COVID-19: How Social Security is Handling your Business Now

COVID-19 has brought changes to how Social Security is conducting business. This video will tell you how to contact Social Security; how to apply of appeal, Social Security’s current actions on applications, appeals, hearings, reviews and overpayments; and rule changes on deadlines and other Social Security expectations when applying or appealing.

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Employment Rights

Today you can ask an expert about Employment Rights.  What are my rights?  What services are available?  How do I get help?  Watch and learn!  Share this information with friends, family colleagues, everyone!

Social Security

Can I Keep My Benefits if I Go Back to Work?

Do you want to learn about working and keeping a social security benefit?  This video will introduce you to the Social Security Administration’s work incentives that help social security beneficiaries work without losing their benefit.

Special Education

Special Education services are available for children over the age of three through age 21 who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) provides the legal grounds for children with disabilities to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). These services are administered by the school district where the child lives.

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Supported Decision-Making

Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices.

Advance Directives and Supported Decision-Making in 2021

In this video, Senior Disability Rights Advocate Rhonda Thissen provides basic information about advance care planning, Advance Directives, and Supported Decision-making Plans. Have questions? Contact dLCV for answers at 1-800-552-3962.

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Alternatives to Guardianship // Advocate For Your Rights

There is stigma and humiliation involved when a person is declared incapacitated. And most important: It is often unnecessary.

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Advance Directives // Advocate For Your Rights

Do you know the difference between an Advance Directive and a Power of Attorney?

Power of Attorney // Advocate For Your Rights

A Power of Attorney is a legal document where you give someone the authority to act for you…Learn more about a Power of Attorney.

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Ulysses Clause // Advocate For Your Rights

Medical Directives // Advocate For Your Rights

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Transportation Access

Access to Public Transportation

People with disabilities, including those with mobility, vision, and cognitive disabilities, are often hindered by the lack of access to the bus.  Let’s talk to some individuals about their experiences and hear in their own words what barriers exist on their journey to independent mobility.

Advance Directives

This section provides information about Advance Directives for people with disabilities.

Effective Communication

Clear communication is critical!  People who have disabilities that impact their vision, hearing, and speech frequently use different ways to communicate.  For example, people who are blind may converse audibly rather than in writing and people who are deaf may converse through writing or sign language rather than through speech.  We all must clearly understand each other to effectively communicate!  What are your rights regarding effective communication?  Ask an expert to find out!

Watch and learn!  Share this information with friends, family colleagues, everyone!

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Advance Directives and Capacity

In this video, a follow up to our video on advance directives, the dLCV expert explains how “capacity” can affect your ability to create an advance directive.

Watch and learn!  Share this information with friends, family colleagues, everyone!

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The Main Components of an Advance Directive

This is part three of a multi-part outreach effort on mental health advance directives.  In this video, you will learn about the main components of an advance directive.  Now is the time to Ask the Expert!

Watch and learn!  Share this information with friends, family colleagues, everyone!

Making Your Own Advance Directive

This is part four of a multi-part outreach effort on mental health advance directives.  In this video, you will learn about “Making Your Own Advance Directive.”  Now is the time to Ask the Expert!

Watch and learn!  Share this information with friends, family colleagues, everyone!

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Voting Rights in Virginia

In this video, you will learn about the new and improved voting rights in Virginia.  What rights do you have if you are a person with a disability and want to be able to vote?  The law contains strong protections for people with disabilities in their right to vote.  But if you don’t know what those rights are – how can you protect those rights?

Voting Absentee In Virginia During COVID-19

This video discusses what you need to know about absentee voting, including deadlines, how to vote absentee by mail or in-person, and reasons you can vote absentee for the upcoming June 23 Primary Election.

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Transition Services

What is a transition service? When do I need one? How do I get it? 

School is now back in session – and for many young people with disabilities, it is also time to start planning for the future.  Do you have everything you need in your transition plan?  Why don’t you “ask the expert” what a transition plan involves!  This special edition of the dLCV video series features two wonderful volunteers, Wes and Lisa Houchins Lockhart. Congratulations on your acting debut!  Now go ahead – ask the expert!

Watch and learn!  Share this information with friends, family colleagues, everyone!

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Vocational Rehabilitation Rights and Services

Sometimes disability programs and rights can be hard to figure out.  Have you ever just wanted to ask some basic questions, and know that you are getting the correct answers?  Have you ever wanted to ask an expert?

Today you can ask an expert about Vocational Rehabilitation Rights and Services.  What are my rights?  What services are available?  How do I get help?  Watch and learn!

You Have a Right to Vocational Rehabilitation Services

dLCV’s Client Assistance Program (CAP) helps individuals with disabilities to ensure they receive adequate Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services from either the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, (DARS) or the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI). Watch this video to learn more about CAP and how to get VR services.

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Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities

Constipation & Bowel Obstruction // Advocate For Your Rights

Learn more about constipation… The most common cause of preventable deaths in the community setting.

Readmission Rights In Nursing Homes

In this video, we will be discussing the rights of residents in nursing homes, specifically the right of readmission after a hospital stay. Learn about your rights when living in a nursing home or long-term care facility at https://www.dlcv.org/nursing-homes.

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