Embedded Files
Your guide to protecting your rights—all in one place.
Your Rights
Your Rights
Know Your Rights. Protect Your Future.
For decades, federal laws, Medicaid programs, and landmark court decisions have shaped the protections that ensure individuals with disabilities can live with dignity, independence, and choice. Understanding this history is key to safeguarding your rights today.
Explore the Full Timeline of Protections →
Civil Rights
Civil Rights
File a complaint if you think your Civil Rights have been violated.
File a complaint if you think your Civil Rights have been violated.
🔗 Links:
Access Public Records (APRA Requests)
Access Public Records (APRA Requests)
Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA) allows anyone to request records from the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). The APRA Portal makes it possible to submit and track requests online.
Before submitting a new request, FSSA recommends checking existing public resources, including:
Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF monthly enrollment reports
Child Care Finder (provider search tool)
On My Way Pre-K enrollment and county grants
Legislative reports and program summaries
State contracts (searchable on the Indiana Department of Administration portal)
How it works:
Submit a request form through the APRA Portal
Save your progress and return later if needed
Receive email updates on the status of your request
Review past requests and fulfilled documents in the system
🔗 Link:
How to File a Medicaid Appeal in Indiana
How to File a Medicaid Appeal in Indiana
If you’ve been denied Medicaid services or funding—such as home health care, waiver hours, or equipment—you have the right to appeal. This section provides guidance to help you understand your rights, prepare your appeal, and advocate effectively.
What's Included:
Step-by-step instructions for filing an appeal
Sample letters and language you can use
FAQs about deadlines, hearings, and what to expect
🔗 Visit the Full Resource Page:
Indiana Medicaid Appeal Tools & Templates
(Includes appeal guide, sample letters, and FAQs – all in one place)
Advocacy & Updates
Advocacy & Updates
Get Involved & Stay Connected
Get Involved & Stay Connected
Your voice matters—whether you're advocating for change or staying informed. Follow us on Facebook for timely updates, or explore how to participate in Medicaid policy through public comments and policy requests. Together, we can help shape a better system for Indiana families.
IDEA
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Under IDEA, eligible children are entitled to specialized instruction and related services designed to meet their unique needs. It also guarantees key protections for parents, including the right to participate in all decisions and to challenge school district actions.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Under IDEA, eligible children are entitled to specialized instruction and related services designed to meet their unique needs. It also guarantees key protections for parents, including the right to participate in all decisions and to challenge school district actions.
🔗 Links:
Education and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
This law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/file-complaint
Title VI: Race, Color, and National Origin
Protects students and families from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any program that receives federal funds (including language-access for English learners).
Section 504 & ADA Title II: Disability
Ensures students with disabilities get equal access, reasonable modifications, and services in schools and programs—so they can learn alongside their peers.
[Learn more about disability protections]Title IX: Sex Discrimination
Prohibits sex-based discrimination in education, including harassment, pregnancy/parenting rights, and equal athletic opportunities, in programs receiving federal funding.
Age Discrimination Act
Bars discrimination based on age in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Learn more about age discrimination
Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices in Education
Explains how civil-rights rules apply when schools make employment decisions that affect program access or beneficiaries; for pure workplace claims, EEOC may apply.
Learn more about employment practices in education
Retaliation (Cross-Cutting Protection)
It’s illegal to punish someone for reporting discrimination, participating in an investigation, or asserting their rights under any of these laws.
Learn more about anti-retaliation
Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act
Requires public schools to provide equal meeting access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups if the school allows outside groups to meet.
Race Discrimination in Special Education (Title VI Application)
Addresses discriminatory identification, placement, or discipline of students of color in special education and ensures equal opportunity and services.
Disability Discrimination
Find information and resources about protecting individuals with disabilities from discrimination.
Find disability discrimination resources
Race Discrimination in Special Education
Information about how OCR protects students from race discrimination in special education.
Your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
Your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
When you owe money for rent or utilities and someone else is trying to collect the money, that person could be a debt collector. If a lawyer is representing your landlord, or a collection agency is trying to collect the back rent or utilities you owe, the lawyer or company may be considered a debt collector under federal law.
Federal law says that debt collectors can’t use unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices to try and collect a debt. This means if a debt collector harasses you or makes false or misleading statements to collect rental debt, they may be breaking federal law.
If you believe that a debt collector is using an unfair, deceptive, or abusive practice when collecting a debt, you can submit a complaint or call (855) 411-2372.
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