Listed below are publications produced by the Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy specifically for individuals with disabilities, family members and others interested in disability issues. They provide information about disability rights and to offer strategies for solving individual problems.

Finally, our extremely popular Disability Resource Directory  is updated on a continual basis.  The Directory contains useful phone numbers, program descriptions and websites of federal, state, and local agencies and organizations. 

If you would like a hard copy of one or more publications you may e-mail your request  to OPA-Information@ct.gov  or send a request to:

Consumer Information Unit
Office of Protection and Advocacy
for Persons with Disabilities
60 B Weston Street
Hartford, CT 06120

or fax it to 860-566-8714.   You can request that a hard copy be mailed to you.  However, supplies are limited, and print copies are sometimes out of stock.  So, we request that you download and print your own copy if that is possible for you.   

SELF-HELP PUBLICATIONS

Written by P&A staff, this is a listing (and summary) of our self-help publications. The full text is available to read on screen or download.  If you would like a hard copy,  please call, write or e-mail us your request.

(Self-help booklets & manuals will be available in Adobe Reader format)

Abuse Investigation Division  - Protecting the Rights of Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities. The Abuse Investigation Division is operated by the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.  The Division was established to implement C.G.S. 46a-11a, which became effective February 1, 1985.  The purpose of the law is to protect adults (ages 18-59) who have intellectual disabilities, as defined by C.G.S. §1-1g, from abuse and neglect wherever it may occur. 

Assistive Technology Lemon Law 
On June 6, 1997, Governor Rowland signed Public Act 97-100, "An Act Concerning the Security of Assistive Technology Devices." This lemon law covers non-conforming assistive technology devices purchased or leased on or after January 1, 1998. Manufacturers are required to repair and in some cases either replace or refund a consumer’s money for a nonconforming assistive technology device. 

 

Checklist for Holding Accessible Meetings

Be prepared for your next meeting with helpful information on how to make it more inviting and accessible to people with disabilities.

 

Connecticut Fair Housing Law  
This publication explains the Discriminatory Housing Protections Act  - a Connecticut law which provides protections to individuals with disabilities in the sale or rental of housing. Obtain information about who is covered by the state law, what housing is covered, and how rights are protected and enforced.

 

Disability Resources in Connecticut 

This publication contains names, addresses and internet sites as well as descriptions of federal, state and local agencies, entitlement programs and services for people with disabilities including non-profit grass roots disability organizations.

How to File a CHRO Complaint 
This publication is meant to provide basic information about the process of filing a discrimination complaint with the State of Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO).

 

 

LEAD:  Get Your Child Tested: 

Lead is toxic metal that can permanently damage a child’s brain.  Experts agree that there is no safe level of lead exposure.  Children are at particularly high risk for lead poisoning because their bodies and brains are still developing. This publication provides information on testing and lead levels.

 

Making Medication Choices
As of October 1, 1993, inpatients in psychiatric units or hospitals who are 18 years of age or older have a right to refuse medication -  Public Act 93-369, and C.G.S. §17a-540. The statute was amended on June 4, 1996 to allow persons, 16 years of age and older, the right to refuse medication.  The 1996 Amendments also clarify the role of a conservator in making medication decisions.  This publication explains your rights under these laws.

 

OPA Program Information Tri-fold Brochure - (Spanish version) OPA Program Descriptions - the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (P&A) seeks to protect the rights of and to advocate for people with disabilities.  We do this by providing information and referral services, case advocacy services, abuse investigation and protective interventions, and community development activities.  Brief descriptions of program services are provided in this brochure.

 

 

PAIMI Information Tri-fold Brochure - PAIMI Can Help!  PAIMI works to protect the rights of individuals with mental illness who are in community residential programs, homeless shelters, state or private institutions including hospitals, residential care homes, nursing homes and correctional facilities. 

 

 

 

 

PATBI Informational Booklet - (Spanish)  A guide to services in Connecticut and details about the causes and effects of traumatic brain injury and aquired brain injury.

 

 

PATBI Tri-fold - Domestic Violence and Brain Injury - Domestic violence is a common cause of brain injury, especially in women.   Survivors often experience assault, a physical altercation that can cause significant injuries, including brain injuries. 

 

 

PATBI Information Tri-fold Brochure - PATBI - Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury.  PATBI advocates provide individualized, person-centered advocacy to individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Brief description of how to receive different services to individuals with TBI, their families, and the community. Traumatic Brain Injury Fact Sheet.

 

Restraint and Seclusion of Persons with Disabilities - This booklet will provide you with answers to basic questions concerning the use of physical restraints, seclusion, and psycho-pharmacologic agents (medications) under state law. 

 

Self Advocacy Tips
The adage that the "squeaky wheel gets the grease" is a true comment on complaining and human nature, but squeaks can be annoying, and, if too loud, can be counterproductive. Nevertheless, assertive, articulate advocacy is a necessity when service providers and other bureaucracies are unwilling to correct either individual or systematic problems. 

Social Security Income (SSI) 
This publication explains SSI or Supplemental Security Income - a federal program that provides monthly financial assistance payments to certain individuals including persons with disabilities who have limited income and assets. 

Your Rights as a Voter with a Disability  As a member of a democratic society and as a person with a disability, you have both the right and the responsibility to vote.  This booklet answers some of the common voting questions and answers about your rights as a voter with a disability.

Your Rights in a Psychiatric Facility
The purpose of this publication is to impart practical and useful information to people who find themselves in a psychiatric facility and are attempting to get out. Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program of P&A designed this publication to help you to advocate for your basic civil rights and identify those situations when you may need an advocate or a lawyer.