What We Do

Mo P&A works to keep people with disabilities safe from abuse and neglect.

We investigate reports of abuse, neglect, and suspicious deaths. We also provide direct services to address abuse and neglect. These services can be provided to individuals or on behalf of a group.

Our Monitoring Teams will also visit facilities in person or virtually. They will inform residents of their rights and observe their safety and treatment. They visit facilities that receive public funding, including:

• Private and State psychiatric hospitals,

• Assisted living facilities,

• Nursing homes, and

• Other places where people with disabilities may live and work

Mo P&A also works with other agencies to support state-wide changes to policies and practices that will end abuse and neglect.

What do we mean by “Abuse” and “Neglect”?

"Abuse" happens when someone purposely causes injury or death to a person with a disability. This can be from physical assault, using restraints, etc.

"Neglect" happens when someone does not provide services to a person with a disability, which causes injury or death. This can happen when a provider does not carry out a treatment or discharge plan, provide food, etc.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law. The purpose of the ADA is to stop discrimination against people with disabilities. This includes making sure they can take part in everyday activities.

Mo P&A helps people with disabilities have equal access to public spaces and services. We provide direct services to individuals and on behalf of groups. These services protect the right to:

• Enter and safely travel in government buildings, businesses, and other public spaces;

• Take part in activities in public spaces;

• Get services and benefits from programs;

• Have a service animal;

• Access and get accommodations in housing, transportation, and employment; and

• Get services in places like a restaurant, theater, or the internet like anyone else

Many programs and government offices can provide Assistive Technology devices and services. Mo P&A helps people with disabilities access these programs so they can live more independent and full lives. We provide direct services to help individuals who are denied Assistive Technology.

What is “Assistive Technology”?

Assistive Technology (AT) includes a variety of devices and services. Assistive Technology helps people with disabilities perform daily activities.

AT devices are items that can increase, maintain, or improve a person's ability to function. This may include devices that help with:

• Mobility Deficits: Devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, etc.

• Communication Deficits: Devices or software that produce speech

• Hearing Deficits: Hearing aids, Computer Assisted Real Time Captioning (CART), etc.

• Blindness or Severe Visual Disabilities: Braille printers, devices or software for voice dictation, etc.

• Other Deficits: Other items used in the home, to exit or enter the home, to get into or operate a vehicle, to exercise the right to vote, and more

AT services are services that help a person with a disability use an AT device. This may include services that help with:

• Choosing or obtaining an AT device,

• Evaluating the person’s need for an AT device,

• Repairing an AT device, and

• Training to help the person or someone they know learn how to use an AT device

Mo P&A works to make sure students with disabilities get the education services they need to be successful. We provide direct services to help students:

• Access free education services that are specific to them. This is also known as the right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE);

• Get evaluations they need for education services;

• Develop and maintain an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan;

• Get intervention supports and behavioral plans;

• Receive education services in the same classrooms as other kids as much as possible. This is also known as the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE);

• Explain the needs of the student while resolving issues with educators; and

• Resolve discrimination issues and protect other rights in education settings. This includes pre-school, public school, private school, and post-secondary education.

People with disabilities should be able to make their own choices about work. Their job should be meaningful to them. It should also be in the most integrated setting possible.

Mo P&A helps people with disabilities make informed choices about work. We can provide direct services to help individuals:

• Receive services from a rehabilitation program,

• Resolve discrimination at work,

• Understand what happens to their benefits when they work, and

• Remove other barriers to work

What are “rehabilitation programs”?

Rehabilitation programs provide employment services and supports. They can also provide independent living services. These services should help people with disabilities meet their work goals. Rehabilitation program services can be provided by:

• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR),

• Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB),

• Centers for Independent Living,

• Workforce Development, and

• Other agencies that provide rehabilitation services

Government benefits and services can help people stay in the community. Mo P&A helps people with disabilities get these benefits and services if they are denied. We can also help if they are not receiving the right services, or the right amount of benefits.

We provide direct services to individuals, and in some cases, on behalf of groups to help people with disabilities access:

• Medicaid (MO HealthNet) waivers,

• Mental health and support services that provide individualized treatment to adults and children,

• Social Security disability benefits that have been denied or overpaid, and

• Other government benefits and services

What are “Medicaid Waivers”?

Medicaid waivers provide special Medicaid services for certain populations. They are also known as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). These services help people be as independent as possible in the community, instead of living in a facility.

Waivers may cover the whole state, or only people in a certain area. They may also focus on a specific disability, such as developmental disabilities.

Waiver services can include:

• Case management,

• Personal care services,

• Employment services.,

• And other services that help people work and be more independent.

There are two state agencies that provide Medicaid waiver programs in Missouri:

• Department of Mental Health (DMH), and

• Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS)

Mo P&A works to make sure people with disabilities have as many rights as possible if they are in a guardianship.

We provide direct services to make sure guardians are not violating a ward’s rights. We also help people find alternatives to guardianship. In some cases, our attorneys can help people change their guardian, or end their guardianship.

We also work with our partners to support efforts to reform guardianship in Missouri. Mo P&A is a member of Mo-WINGS. In 2018, Mo-WINGS successfully advocated for many reforms, including Supported Decision Making Agreements.

Learn more about Supported Decision Making and other alternatives to guardianship.

What is guardianship?

Guardianship is a legal status. A person in a guardianship is called a ward. A ward loses the right to make their own decisions, such as where they live. The guardian makes these decisions instead.

Wards still have some rights. This includes the right to live in a safe and appropriate place. They also have the right to ask the court to have other rights restored.

Mo P&A works to make sure people with disabilities are able to take part in the voting process. We can provide direct services to individuals or on behalf of groups to help with the voter registration and voting process.

We also work to expand voter access on a systemic level by:

• Checking polling places for accessibility issues and training polling officials;

• Working with other voting rights groups, such as the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC), and

• Making sure people with disabilities know their voting rights and options, including voter ID requirements and voting restrictions due to guardianship.

As part of our collaboration with MOVPC, Mo P&A attorneys serve on the Election Protection Hotline for Missouri. The attorneys answer voters’ questions and help with voting-related problems.

The Mo P&A WIPA project helps promote employment and financial independence. WIPA provides benefits planning services to people that receive benefits from Social Security disability programs.

These services are provided by Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs). CWICs must be certified by Social Security after a rigorous initial training. They have to be re-certified each year, which includes ongoing training. These requirements make sure CWICs provide quality WIPA services.

Our CWICs people understand what will happen to their benefits when they work. This includes their Social Security benefits, as well as their healthcare and other benefits.

CWICs can also help you use your “work incentives,” or safety nets. These work incentives can protect your benefits when you work.