Human Rights and Transportation

1. Human Rights and Transportation Center of Hope Foundation

2. Merriam-Webster’s Online dictionary. • Dig-ni-ty: The quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed • American Heritage Dictionary • Dignity is: • The quality or condition of being esteemed or honored • Poise and Self-respect • Stateliness and reserve in deportment and appearance Dignity

3. Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary • An act of giving particular attention • High or special regard • The quality or state of being • American Heritage Dictionary • re·spect(rĭ-spĕkt) • 1. To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or • 2. a. To avoid interfering with or intruding upon: Please respect my privacy. • b. To avoid violating: I respected the speed limit throughout the trip. Respect

4. Basic Human Rights Include: [This is not an exhaustive list] • Liberty: Freedom of movement, freedom of choice/self determination, services provided n the least restrictive environment possible. “Reasonable Risk” [See 115 CMR: Department of Mental Retardation) • Equality • Equality means equal access to basic goods, services, and opportunities to personal quality of life (education, employment, transportation, housing etc.) • All individuals should be treated with dignity and respect equally when receiving transportation services. All Individuals Deserve To Be Treated With Dignity and Respect

5. Privacy • In alignment with HIPPA requirements it is the agency’s policy that no personal information is shared with persons not approved by the individual. You need to politely refer all inquiries of your passengers to the Program Administrators/Directors of their programs. • The exception to this policy is specific to individuals with whom the agency has an agreement to share information with their residences. Any questions see your program supervisor.

6. Expression • Expression: the right to think and say what you want without fear of reprisal. Conversations during transportation must not be offensive to others. • Agency policy prohibits staff or passengers from using foul language. • With rights come responsibilities. Staff must keep a calm, neutral voice when addressing/redirecting inappropriate language with individuals • Staff must never raise their voice when redirecting which could be interpreted as “yelling” which is a violation of MART and Agency policy. • Staff must never argue or fight amongst each other.

7. Property • Property the right to acquire, use and dispose of possessions and funds . • Individual have a right to their own personal belongings and the right to privacy. • If an individual claims their possession/s have been taken by another passenger, drivers/monitors will try to ask for the return of property if unsuccessful they will need to notify the transportation office for further instructions. Do not get into a power struggle with the individual.

8. Personal Safety • Personal Safety; Regulations require us to provide a safe environment for all activities. The DDS Human Rights Safeguard system supports ongoing maintenance of this right. • A driver or monitor may never leave an individual without someone to receive them at their residence or Day Programunless written authorization has been submitted by the agency. • Do not change an individuals destination , pick-up or drop off spots without authorization from your supervisor. • Do not use a seatbelt as a form of restraint.

9. Personal Safety cont. • A driver or Monitor may never hit or physically abuse an individual or anyone. • Any violation of the Consumer Rights and Human Rights of an individual should be reported immediately to your supervisor If the incident is harmful, dangerous, inhumane or constitutes mistreatment towards the consumer, you must notify your supervisor who will notify DDS or HST were applicable. • If the incident has caused serious physical or serious emotional injury to the Consumer or constitutes sexual mis-conduct, you must also report it to the DPPC for DDS consumers at 1-800-426-9009; or the Elder Abuse hotline (for elders age 60 years and above) at 1-800-922-2275; or DCF (for children up to the age of 18yrs) at: 1-800-792-5200. Conn. OPA 1-800-297-4300 • All staff are mandated reporters!

10. In the event a behavioral situation should occur on your vehicle, the following guidelines will help to maintain the Consumer’s rights. • Only approved behavior plans should be used to deal with behavioral incidents on the vehicle. These plans are reviewed on a regular basis and updated as needed. • Drivers must secure monitor assistance (when available)to ensure that all passengers are protected from harm while riding on the vehicle. • Monitors should always be sitting with the consumers and attending to their need, not sitting next to the driver.

11. The agency as well as the State of Massachusetts has safeguards to assure individuals are treated with Dignity and Respect. This also safeguards their Basic Rights. The agency has a Human Rights Coordinator and multiple Human Rights Officers. Human Rights Safeguards

12. Human Rights Coordinator • Beth Beeler is the agency coordinator who's responsibilities include overseeing the Human Rights trainings of individuals. • She also coordinates quarterly meeting made up of agency Human Rights Officers, Professionals from the community such as people from the medical community or lawyers, Consumers, and Family members. This is held at the agency to evaluate agency policies that affect Human Rights as well as behavior plans and behavioral incidents.

13. Human Rights Officer • All programs at the Center of Hope have a designated Human Rights Officer. In addition many other staff have completed the Human Rights Officer Training. • Designated Human Rights Officers maintain a human rights board in each program. They are responsible for ensuring each program member is trained in all of their Basic Human Rights annually.

14. Other Safe Guards • Human Rights Specialists • Staff the Office for Human Rights providing training and technical assistance and advocacy, to all parts of the provider and Departmental community. • Office For Human Rights • The lead administrative entity providing support and oversight to the Human Rights system. It also has been designated the performance of the Commissioner's review of restraints, and provide periodic statistical updates on the use of restraints statewide. • Human Rights Advisory Committee • Represents all the constituents of the Department and advises the Commissioner on significant Human Rights Policies and concerns.

15. You have now completed your Human Rights and Transportation training. For further information contact your local Human Rights Officer or Agency Coordinator. Please proceed to the testing portion and complete the follow-up test. Upon completion results will be sent to the training office where you will be notified of your status of Pass or Fail. Accommodations will be made for any staff who is not able to complete the online testing. Please notify your supervisor.