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Respecting Rights Video 1

We have something very important to tell you, and we want you to listen. The keyword is listen. People labeled with having an intellectual disability have the right to make decisions about their lives. Some people don't know about their rights. We all have the right to make our own decisions. Sometimes we need support to do this. We are so excited to share our message with you. We are respecting rights: a team of self-advocates, lawyers, and social workers delivering arts-based accessible rights workshops across Ontario. We deliver these workshops for people labeled with intellectual disabilities, their support staff, and their families. As self-advocates, we made a decision. We decided to work on rights education in a new way. Our right workshops are accessible. We use arts, role play, and music to teach people. We like to have fun while we learn about rights. Working together with lawyers makes our work stronger. Under the law, persons labeled with intellectual disabilities have the right to make their own decisions. It's important to know what the law says. We work with persons labeled with intellectual disabilities across Ontario to make the laws better for them. We call this accessible law reform work. Stay in touch with us. We want to share our work with you. It's time for respecting rights.

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Respecting Rights Video 2

“Hi, I’m Sue. Coordinator of Respecting Rights. Everyone has the right to be involved in decisions about their lives. Even if they need support to do so. This video is a rights education tool about healthcare decision making rights. This scene was developed by the self-advocates of Respecting Rights. And you’ll see Mina, going to a doctor’s appointment where her
rights are not respected, at first. You’ll notice that there’s a black and white scene, where Mina’s rights are not respected. Then there’s a colour scene, showing her rights being respected. So let’s watch it and see how it goes.

“Mina’s Story: It’s My Health!”

[Doctor John:] Hi, I’m Dr. John.

[Jake, the case worker:] I’m Jake.

[Dr. John:] Hi Jake, nice to meet you. Come right this way.

[Jake:] Did you see the Leafs game last night?

[Dr. John:] Oh yeah, it was a good game, huh?

[Dr. John:] What brings you here today?

[Jake:] Yes, I’m a little concerned because Mina has been dating some guy,

[Mina:] Wait, wait, wait!

[Dr. John:] Excuse me a moment please! You have to wait.

[Jake:] Yes, I’m a little concerned because Mina has been seeing this guy,

[Dr. John:] Yes

[Jake:] and it’s pretty serious.

[Dr. John:] Ok

[Jake:] I’m wondering if you can put her on pregnancy pills,

[Dr. John:] Yes

[Jake:] and do something about her weight.

[Dr. John:] Is there any medical reports I can see?

[Jake:] Everything’s right here.

[Dr. John:] Thank you.

[Jake:] How soon do you think you can put her on?

[Dr. John:] Um, soon or right away. I can do that. I can do a prescription.

[Jake:] Alright.

[Dr. John:] Here’s your prescription.

[Jake:] Thank you.

[Dr. John:] And, thank you for coming to see me. And, here’s your lollipop.

[Mina:] I don’t want it! I’m not a child! What is this!

[Jake:] I’m going to book your next appointment.

[Mina:] Okay, whatever.

[phone ringing]

[Mina:] Hello? Hi Bob, I’m at the doctor’s office. Uh, not so good. The doctor talked to me like I didn't understand stuff. And my worker completely ignored me. What? I had no idea I can request a female doctor. What? I don't have to bring my worker? I can bring a friend? Well I'm so gonna request another doctor. Uh, thanks, thank you for the advice, man. Alright, talk to you later, Bob. Thank you so much for your help. Bye, bye.

[good Dr]: Hi you must be Mina. I'm a doctor.

[Mina:] Nice to meet you.

[good Dr:] Nice to meet you. Yeah, right this way. So, what brings you here?

[Mina:] The other doctor I had made me feel very uncomfortable. He put me on the birth control shot, and didn’t’ respect my right. It’s my body! One day I wanna have baby. And, he even gave me a lollipop, like I was a kid!

[new Dr:] Well, at least you spoke up by advocating for yourself. And that's what matters a lot, of you respecting your rights in your healthcare, and I also support that. And, that’s great that you came to a better doctor like me, so… So, let's make another appointment.

[Mina:] Sounds good, I would like that. Thank you for respecting my rights.

[good Dr:] Of course.

[Lawyer Kerry] I'm Kerry. I'm a lawyer at ARCH Disability Law Centre and I work with Respecting Rights in Ontario. The law says that everyone can make their own decisions about their health. In some situations this is different and you may not have the right to make your own healthcare decisions. We talk more about this at our Respecting Rights workshops. When you go to the doctor you can ask your doctor to give you information about your health in a way that you can understand. You can bring another person with you to support you when you go to the doctor. If you're a person with a disability living in Ontario and you want legal advice about your rights to make decisions about your health you can call ARCH for free confidential legal advice.

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