Promoting, Dignity, Equality and Self-Determination
Washington Protection & Advocacy System
Home ׀
About WPAS ׀
News ׀
Self-Advocacy
׀ Public Policy
׀ Publications
׀ Contact
WPAS
E-Mail Updates
׀ Support WPAS
׀ Search
 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
Access to Advocacy
Prepared by: WPAS Board of Directors at the initiative of and in cooperation with the WPAS Developmental Disability Advisory Council
All eligible individuals and their families and concerned others in the State of Washington should have access to the services of trained local advocates in seeking collaborative support and assistance in resolving existing problems within the community. The agency is committed to devoting substantial resources to foster and develop this capacity in the community.
This statement was adopted by the WPAS Board of Directors on April 13, 1994●
Back
To Top ● Back to About
WPAS ● Back to Home Page ●
Choices
Prepared by: WPAS Board of Directors
Whereas, all people have preferences and express those choices in all aspects of their lives; and
Whereas, the natural opportunity for making choices begins early in life; and
Whereas, freedom of expression and choice are fundamental human rights which should be shared by all people worldwide; and
Whereas, historically some families, professionals and policy-makers have incorrectly assumed that people with mental and physical disabilities are not capable of making choices in their own best interest; and
Whereas, in the past, decisions have often been made by professionals, families, policy-makers and others, based primarily on the assumption of what is in the best interest of the person with a mental or physical disability; and
Whereas, programs and activities that relegate individuals with mental and physical disabilities to a passive role do not encourage or allow a full range of choices that exist; and
Whereas, active attempts by people with mental and physical disabilities to exercise choice or modify programs designed by professionals and families have often been interpreted as non-compliance, resulting in development of behavior programs to decrease the presumed "maladaptive" behavior;
Therefore it be known: The Washington Protection and Advocacy System affirms the right of people with mental and physical disabilities to freedom of choice in all types of settings; families and professionals should systematically work toward development of real opportunities and programs across all ages for choice; and individuals with mental or physical disabilities should be encouraged and supported to make choices through such activities as exposure, awareness, interaction and instructional opportunities and research should be supported on successful methods that empower people with mental and physical disabilities to make choices.
Be it further known in cases pursued by the Washington Protection and Advocacy System within our priorities, we will represent the choices of our clients.
*This statement was adapted from a resolution passed by TASH (The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps) in 1988.
Approved by WPAS Board 4-4-90
●
Back
To Top ● Back to About
WPAS ● Back to Home Page ●
Community Imperative
Prepared by: WPAS Board of DirectorsAll people have fundamental moral and constitutional rights. These rights must not be abrogated merely because a person has a mental or physical disability. Among these fundamental rights is the right to community living.
In the domain of Educational Programming and Human Service:
All people, as human beings, are inherently valuable. All people are entitled to conditions which foster their development. Such conditions are optimally provided in community settings.
Therefore:
In fulfillment of human rights and in securing optimum opportunities for growth, all people, regardless of the severity of their disabilities are entitled to community living.
* Originally published by the Center on Human Policy, Syracuse University in 1979.
Approved by WPAS Board 4-4-90
●
Back
To Top ● Back to About
WPAS ● Back to Home Page ●
Use and Abuse of Physical and Chemical Restraints
Prepared by: WPAS Board of Directors at the initiative of and in cooperation with the WPAS Developmental Disability Advisory Council
WPAS deplores the use and abuse of physical and chemical restraints and is tired of watching people being maimed, injured, abused, and die because of these restraints. WPAS shall take responsible action, including, but not limited to, putting a stop to the misuse and abuse of chemical or physical restraints in all state facilities and community programs.
This statement was adopted by the WPAS Board of Directors on February 2, 1994●
Back
To Top ●
Back to About
WPAS ● Back to Home Page ●
Use of Non-labeling Language
Prepared by: WPAS Board of Directors at the initiative of and in cooperation with the WPAS Developmental Disability Advisory CouncilWPAS is committed to educating others by ensuring the use of non-labeling language that is respectful of all individuals, describing disabilities only when necessary. For example, an individual with developmental disabilities will always be referred to in people first language. This language will be used in all publications, presentations and trainings.
This statement was adopted by the WPAS Board of Directors on April 13, 1994
