To understand efforts of Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities (MHMR/DD) agencies to prepare clients with disabilities to assert their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), MHMR/DD personnel in 50 states responded to questions about self-advocacy needs of clients, nature of agency training in ADA self-advocacy, success of training strategies, barriers to client training, and perceived impact of the ADA. Respondents believe MHMR/DD clients need training in advocacy-related skills. They cite a number of barriers to client self-advocacy preparation. Respondents see minimal impact of the ADA on the lives of agency clients; however, they are optimistic that future impact will be significant.
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