Understand Rights and Responsibilities

It is essential to understand the laws and rules that impact your life to ensure equal access to opportunities.  Federal, state, and local laws and rules provide protections of rights and outline the responsibilities that come with those rights.    Knowing which laws and rules apply under what circumstances is critical to advocating your position. 

You don’t need to be a lawyer or an expert.  However, a basic familiarity of these civil rights protections and where and when to get information and support is a crucial part of your self-advocacy tool belt.