RIGHTS
UNDER THE
LANTERMAN ACT:
Regional Center Services for People With Developmental Disabilities

Written by:
PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY, INC.

Publication #5063.01 – English
Copyright © 1983 by PAI
REVISED EDITION 2006

PAI gratefully acknowledges the assistance and support of the following individuals and organizations in preparation of this manual: Debra Marley (coordinator), Tho Vinh Banh, Catherine Blakemore, Sujatha Jagadeesh Branch, Brian Capra, Eva Casas-Sermiento, Tom Diverde, Eric Gelber, Marcie Gladson, Ellen Goldblatt, Gail Gresham, Tom Heinz (East Bay Innovations), Marilyn Holle, Anahid Hoonanian, Katie Casada Hornberger, Daniel Juarez, Katy Lusson, Dale Mentink, Jeanne Molineaux, Leinani Neves, Kristina Olaussen, Ruth Ordas, Martha Perske, Matthew Pope, Marinda Reed, Maggie Roberts, Steve Rosenbaum, Dara Schur, Marsha Siegel, Kim Swain, Michelle Uzeta, and Irma Wagster.

These materials are based on the Lanterman Act and court decisions in effect at the time of publication. The law can change at any time. If there is any question about the continued legal authority of any information in the handbook, contact PAI or OCRA or a legal resource in your community.

Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI), is a private, nonprofit organization that protects the legal, civil and service rights of Californians who have developmental or mental disabilities. PAI provides a variety of advocacy services, including information and referral, technical assistance, and direct representation. For information or assistance with an immediate problem, call:

PAI

Toll Free: (800) 776-5746

www.pai-ca.org

Central Office 100 Howe Ave., Suite 235-N Sacramento, CA 95825 Legal Unit – (916) 488-9950 Administrative – (916) 488-9955 TTY – (800) 719-5798	San Diego Area Office 1111 Sixth Ave., Suite 200 San Diego CA 92101 Tel. – (619) 239-7861 TTY – (800) 576-9269
Los Angeles Area Office 3580 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 902 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Tel. – (213) 427-8747 TTY – (800) 781-5456	Oakland Area Office 1330 Broadway, Suite 500 Oakland, CA 94612-2509 Tel. – (510) 430-8033 TTY – (800) 649-0154

PAI receives funding under the Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act. Any opinions, findings, recommendations or conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations which fund PAI.

OCRA

Toll Free: (800) 390-7032

The Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA) is a statewide office run by Protection & Advocacy, Inc., through a contract with the California Department of Developmental Services. OCRA employs a Clients’ Rights Advocate (CRA) at each regional center. The CRA is a person trained to help protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Appendix Z lists the regional center Clients’ Rights Advocates, including their contact information.

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