When you participate in any of the programs offered by SDS, you have certain rights:
• You have the right to work at a job of your choice. • You have the right to be treated well by the staff. • You have the right to a safe place to work. • You have the right to eat your lunch during lunch break. • You have the right to keep your own money unless you agree in writing that you need help with it. • You have the right to know the rules about working. • You have the right to state your preferences about what you want to learn. • You have the right to speak up for yourself and to know what to do when you don’t like something. • You have the right to have another person speak for you. • You have the right to a meeting to talk about what you are learning here. • You have the right to have your questions or concerns answered as soon as possible. • You have the right to get the training you need to live and work more independently.
What to Do If I Don’t Like Something - A Grievance Procedure for People Participating in Programs Offered by SDS Employment
If something happens to you here and you think it takes away one of your rights, then you can start a grievance.
• What are your rights? Rights are things that the law says you have, like the right to training that you need to live and work. • What is a grievance? It’s what you can do if you think that the program is taking away one of your rights. A grievance gives you the chance to tell your side of the story and to try to get things changed.
What do you do?
1. Tell someone who works with you about the problem. They will help you write it down on a piece of paper. Do this within 7 days of when the problem happens. 2. This staff person will try to help you with your problem and tell you an answer to it in words and writing within 7 days. 3. If you don’t like the answer, then you can take the problem to the Program Manager within 7 days. The Program Manager will then try to help you with your problem and tell you an answer to it in words and writing within 7 days.
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Consumer Rights Complaint Process:
