The Ohio Revised code (section 5123) grants individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities a series of rights intended to protect their safety, privacy and dignity. At Stark MRDD, we have produced a video that brings these rights to life. Each right is also signed and spoken by a narrator.

• Be treated nicely at all times and as a person.
• Have a clean, safe place to live in and a place to be alone.
• Have food that is good for you.
• Be able to go, if you want, to church, temple, mosque.
• Be able to go to a doctor or dentist when you are sick.
• Be able to have people help you with the way you walk, talk, do things with your hands, act or feel, if you need it.
• Be able to have people help and teach you, if you want.
• Be able to have time and a place to go to be by yourself.
• Be able to call, write letters or talk to anyone you want about anything you want.
• Be able to have your own things and be able to use them.
• Be able to have men and women as friends.
• Be able to join in activities and do things that will help you grow to be the best person you can be.
• Be able to work and make money.
• Be treated like anyone else.
• Not be hit, yelled at, cursed at, or called names that hurt you.
• Be able to learn new things, make friends, have activities to do, and go out in your community.
• Be able to tell people what you want and be part of making plans or decisions about your life.
• Be able to ask someone you want to help you, let others know how you feel or what you want.
• Be able to use your money to pay for things you need and want with help, if you need it.
• Be able to say "yes" or "no" before people talk about what you do at work or home or look at your file.
• Be able to complain or ask for changes if you don't like something without being afraid of getting in trouble.
• Not be given medicine that you don't need or held down if you are not hurting yourself or others.
• To vote and learn about laws and your community.
• To say "yes" or "no" to being part of a study or experiment.