DDA Legal Rights & Ethical Responsibilities 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which title specifically prohibits discrimination in state and local government services for individuals with developmental disabilities?
- Title I
- Title II (Correct answer)
- Title III
- Title IV
Correct answer: Title II
Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination by state and local governments, including public programs and services.
Question 2: A support worker notices a colleague forging a client's signature on a consent form. The MOST appropriate first action is to:
- Ignore it since the client likely agrees anyway
- Confront the colleague privately and ask them to fix it
- Report it immediately to a supervisor or compliance officer (Correct answer)
- Document it in personal notes and wait to see if it happens again
Correct answer: Report it immediately to a supervisor or compliance officer
Forging a signature violates client autonomy and legal consent requirements and must be reported immediately through proper channels.
Question 3: The principle of 'least restrictive environment' in services for individuals with developmental disabilities means:
- Clients should have the fewest rules possible in their home
- Supports should maximize independence with minimal unnecessary restrictions on freedom (Correct answer)
- Physical restraints should only be used in emergencies
- Group homes must have fewer residents than large institutions
Correct answer: Supports should maximize independence with minimal unnecessary restrictions on freedom
Least restrictive environment means providing supports that promote independence while using only the minimum restrictions necessary for safety.
Question 4: Which federal law established the Bill of Rights for people with developmental disabilities, including the right to appropriate treatment and services?
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (Correct answer)
- The Social Security Act
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Correct answer: The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
The DD Act (Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act) established core rights and federal funding for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Question 5: A client with a developmental disability wants to make a financial decision that their guardian disagrees with. The DSP should:
- Always side with the guardian since they have legal authority
- Ignore the situation as it is a family matter
- Support the client's right to express preferences while clarifying the guardian's legal role (Correct answer)
- Encourage the client to go against the guardian's wishes
Correct answer: Support the client's right to express preferences while clarifying the guardian's legal role
DSPs must respect both the client's self-advocacy and the legal authority of the guardian, facilitating communication between both parties.
Question 6: Informed consent for a medical procedure requires that the client or their legal representative:
- Signs the form before any information is given
- Understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing (Correct answer)
- Agrees verbally without needing written documentation
- Is informed only of the benefits to reduce anxiety
Correct answer: Understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing
Informed consent requires full disclosure of the procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives so the person can make a voluntary, knowledgeable decision.
Question 7: When a DSP suspects abuse of a client but is not certain, they are legally obligated to:
- Investigate further before reporting to confirm the abuse
- Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities immediately (Correct answer)
- Discuss it with coworkers to get consensus before acting
- Wait until the client discloses the abuse directly
Correct answer: Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities immediately
Mandatory reporters must report reasonable suspicions of abuse immediately; they are not required to investigate or confirm abuse before reporting.
DDA Legal Rights & Ethical Responsibilities 2
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which title specifically prohibits discrimination in state and local government services for individuals with developmental disabilities?