Independence and Community Access

Home Independence and Community Access

What We Do

We protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities in South Carolina. We work to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation. We educate and train people with disabilities about their rights so they can speak up for themselves and make informed choices. We support people in speaking up for themselves and making their own choices.  We help people get equal access to services and places. We also work to remove barriers so people can live, learn, work, and take part in their communities.

Your Rights

You have the right to live and work in the community. You have the right to:

  • Live as independently as possible and make your own decisions
  • Get the support you need to live in the community
  • Choose where you live and who you live with
  • Work in the community, including in competitive, integrated jobs
  • Access businesses, public places, and government services and programs
  • Use public transportation and other ways to get around your community
  • Have physical and communication barriers removed
  • Ask for reasonable accommodations so you can access services and programs
  • Be treated with respect and dignity
  • Be free from discrimination

Community Supports and Services

Community supports and services help people with disabilities live in their own homes and take part in everyday life. These services can include help with daily activities, finding and keeping a job, getting around the community, and staying connected to others. Many of these supports are provided through Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers or local programs. Learning what is available and how to apply can help you stay independent and make choices about your life.

Under the Olmstead Supreme Court decision, people with disabilities have the right to receive services in the community instead of institutions when appropriate. This means people should have the opportunity to live, work, and participate in community life with the supports they need. Community services may include help in your home, support finding a job, transportation, and other services that promote independence.

If you are denied services or not getting the support you need, you have the right to ask questions, request changes, and appeal decisions. The following resources can help you understand your options and find services in South Carolina:

Healthcare

People with disabilities have the right to equal access to healthcare. This includes care that is physically accessible, communication you can understand, and treatment that is free from discrimination. You have the right to make your own medical decisions, ask questions, and receive information in a way that works for you. This may include sign language interpreters, plain language explanations, or other accommodations.

If you have problems getting care or feel you are being treated unfairly, you have the right to file a complaint and advocate for yourself. Understanding your insurance, your rights, and how to ask for accommodations can make it easier to get the care you need. The following resources can help:

Rethinking Guardianship

Most people with disabilities can make their own choices, especially with the right support. Guardianship takes away a person’s legal right to make decisions and gives that power to someone else. Because of that, it should only be used as a last option. Keeping as many rights as possible helps people stay independent, make choices about their own lives, and be part of their community. Many people only need help in certain areas, not full control taken away. Our Rethinking Guardianship page can help you understand your options. It explains different levels of support, so you can choose what works best for your situation.

Housing

People with disabilities should be able to find and enjoy their home without being subject to discrimination based on disability.  This includes when you are buying a home, renting a place to live, accessing your home, and making changes so you can live in and enjoy your home.  An important step in knowing your housing rights is being familiar with federal and state laws that apply to housing and how they protect you.

Access Public Places

People with disabilities should have equal opportunities to access public places, including private businesses, and places run by state/local government that are open to the public.

Transportation

An important part of living in your community is being able to get around your community.  If you are using private or public transportation, here are some resources that can help inform you about your rights:

Assistance Animals

Assistance animals and their owners have rights. These rights change in different settings such as public transportation, housing, and public places. This comprehensive guide reviews these rights and how to enforce them when you have problems.

Court Access

People with disabilities have rights to equal access to the state court system. This guide helps people understand and advocate for their rights within the South Carolina court system.

Other Resources