Now You Are 18 With a Disability Rights and Responsibilities that confer on the 18 th birthday. Information presented (as of November 2015) is not intended as legal advice and cannot be relied on as such.
READY OR NOT HERE IT COMES. Happy birthday! You are or soon will be 18 years old and can be considered an ADULT! What does that mean?
Think about it? What changes overnight? Under 18? Over 18? Your signature not legally binding on contracts Don t need an ID Cannot vote, be called for Jury Duty, or serve in the military Cannot get married (without parental permission) Will not be tried as an adult (some exceptions at younger than 18) Your signature counts! Need an ID! You can vote, be called for jury duty and be called to serve in the armed forces You can get married You will be tried as an adult in court. Employment options change SSA/ SSI options change We are going to talk about all these issues!
Define disability? The American Disability Act defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability. (Facilitator, please explain in plain English)
What does a visible disability look like? Can you tell what their disability is?
What does an invisible disability look like? Can you tell what their disability is? Autism ADHD Learning Differences Depression Bipolar Traumatic Brain Injury
WITH HIDDEN DISABILITIES YOU HAVE TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF
Visible or invisible disability You have rights under The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in Employment State and local government services Public accommodations Commercial facilities Transportation
Getting an ID Now that you are 18, you will need an ID Having some form of photo ID is important; you need to be able to prove you are who are in many situations. You'll need a picture ID to board an airplane, get a job, set up bank accounts, be granted access to certain locations or make certain purchases. State issued ID vs. Driver s License If you are not ready or able to get a Driver s license, consider a State ID card.
How to Get A State ID Card in Texas There are no age restrictions to apply for an ID card in Texas. If you have been a Texas resident for at least 30 days, you may apply for a Texas ID card. Visit a Texas DPS office. Complete an Application for Texas Driver License or Identification Card(Form DL 14-A). Provide proof of your identity, legal presence, and residency. Pay the $16 fee For more details visit http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/driverlicense/applyforid.htm
The Driver s License ID and Driving Want a Drivers License? Required to complete driver s education if 25 years or younger to obtain a license Must meet MINIMUM state requirements 7 hours minimum required by State. New National Standards recommend a minimum of 10 driving hours for all teens Your teen might need MORE! Drive time, experiences, situations, night time, direction finding, emergencies etc. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/driverlicense/applyforid.htm Driver s Ed at Your Speed (www.driversedatyourspeed.com) Specialized training for those with special needs seeking a license.
SPECIAL NOTICE ON YOUR LICENSE You can denote on your license that you may have trouble communicating with authority. If so, when you complete the drivers license application, check box #7 as yes
Driving Safety first! Driving is a SKILL SET! Never text and drive Texting and driving is considered worse than drinking and driving Video Be aware of car accident scams Bumping Brake slam Suggesting not to call the police
Driving Car accidents Always call the police to file a police report Take pictures Take a picture of other driver s insurance card Who is at fault? Texas law requires drivers to pay for the accident they cause After an accident, you can file a claim with insurance company The insurance company determines who is at fault based on evidence
Speaking with an Officer Police officers are required to wear a badge When speaking with an officer, you may ask for their badge number and write it down http://www.sheriff.hctx.net/defaultnew.aspx#ad-image-4 http://www.houstonpolice.org/go/doc/2133/289249/
Speaking with an Officer What to do if you are stopped by the police? State your disability if necessary. Show them your license. Cooperate, ask to call your parents if necessary What Should I do if the Police stop me? www.mdanderson.org/utpd/
Know What Else is Required to Drive: Safety inspection sticker Current license plates Insurance naming you as insured Vehicle maintenance ( gas, batteries, oil, tires, check engine lights, scheduled repairs) Citations and tickets for what? Directions and emergency procedures Emergency vehicles and officers How to speak to authority
Car Registration Car registration fees vary depending on size of the vehicle Example: Truck may cost more than car If your car registration is expired, you can get a ticket from a police officer You can register in person, 30 days past the expiration date You can register online at any time past expiration If you have received a ticket regarding expired car registration, there may be consequences
Insurance Basic Liability Insurance Meets Texas state insurance requirements What does it pay for? Dependent on your policy Who it covers? You,Your spouse, or any family member living under the same roof Insurance card must be provided when Asked by a police officer Have an accident Register your car, renew your registration Have your car inspected Do not have car insurance? May result in tickets, license suspension, and surcharge of $250/year
State Vehicle Inspection State car inspections can be done at any Official Vehicle Inspection Station Many auto shops are official vehicle inspection stations Fees for inspection vary Car inspection required Annually by due date!
License Plates Texas law requires that two license plates are visible on all vehicles To get your plates, register your vehicle with the TX DMV Must do within 30 days of purchase
Vehicle Maintenance Required by law Minimum of two working brake lights Headlights on when dark Clear view out of driver side windshield License plates visible in front and back of car
Citations and tickets Most types of traffic tickets in Texas are strictliability offenses Examples of strict-liability offenses include: Speeding Overdue parking meters Not using turn signals Parking in a handicapped zone without authorization
Citations and tickets Moving violations include Speeding or driving below the minimum speed Running a stop sign or red light Driving without a seat belt Drunk driving (DUI and DWI) DUI Video Open Container Video Non-moving violations include Parking in a handicapped zone or other illegal parking Driving with an invalid vehicle registration Having expired or missing license plates Leaving a vehicle unattended and running
Called for jury duty? First off, you will receive a jury summons. The jury summons will require that you appear for jury duty at the courthouse at a certain time and place. When you arrive at the courthouse there likely will be a jury assembly area where you can sit and fill out jury duty forms you are provided. After jury assembly, a judge or courtroom deputy, called a bailiff, may appear and divide you into groups. The bailiff will take you to a courtroom and seat you in a certain order based on your juror number. After you are situated in the courtroom, the judge and lawyers will come in for the voir dire, or jury selection, part of the trial. The judge will make an introduction about the case and the lawyers, and likely thank you for appearing for jury duty. Next, the lawyers will ask you questions. Remember that during jury selection it is your responsibility to speak up and let the lawyers and judge know how you feel about the questions that are asked of you and the panel. Now is the time to tell the truth! Based on your answers, you may or may not get chosen to participated in the jury trial. Even if you are not picked, you served your duty! If you get picked, the Court will explain what is required of you for the trial. More at http://www.lawfirms.com/resources/general-practice/us-legal-system/what-happens-atjury-duty.htm
Jury Duty Does my disability disqualify me? Maybe You must show up on the date summoned. In the initial interview stage of jury selection, for example, a clerk cannot demand that a person with a disability disclose that disability. The ADA considers a question discriminatory if it unnecessarily asks a person with certain characteristics whether he or she has a disability. If a potential juror does not need any type of accommodation, it is generally not necessary, and therefore not permitted, to demand disclosure of disability. If you want to disclose, this would be the time to show proper documentation of diagnosis (doctor s official documentation). The judge will considered whether the individual should be exempt or not. Failure to answer the summons Punishable by fine $100 - $1,000 Failure to attend court/filling a false exemption Punishable by fine $10 - $100
Jury Duty Advice for the first day Free parking offered, or will be reimbursed Bring money for parking, snacks, lunch Bring book or something to pass time You will be asked to turn off phone No weapons
Jury Duty Scam The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies himself as an officer of the court. He says you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is out for your arrest. You say you never received a notice. To clear it up, the caller says he ll need some information for verification purposes your birth date, social security number, maybe even a credit card number. This is when you should hang up the phone. It s a scam. http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2006/june/jury_scam060206
Social Security Card Your ID number to the United States Government. To keep track of the earnings history of U.S. workers for Social Security entitlement and benefits, it is assigned at birth or through citizenship and is used by many government agencies to identify individuals and by private industry to track an individual's financial history. Many citizens and privacy advocates are concerned about the disclosure and processing of Social Security numbers.
THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER IS ONLY TO BE GIVEN TO: Government Agencies Place of Employment Schools Application for credit card or banking institutions Leasing or purchasing home or car NOT to be given to friends, unrelated individuals or strangers! Verified places are stated above for reason! NEED SSA / SSI BENEFITS? https://www.ssa.gov/
Military Service Who must register? Men ages 18-25 Within 30 days of their 18 th birthday Where do I register? Online DPS, while renewing license Does my disability disqualify me? No. If chosen, you will be examined for mental, physical, and moral fitness before being deferred or exempted
Sample Selective Service Registration Form SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION FORM Register online (www.sss.gov) or complete this form PRINT ONLY IN BLACK INK AND IN CAPITAL LETTERS ONLY DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 1 DATE OF BIRTH: (MM-DD-YYYY) SEX: (Mark with X ) 2 3 Male Female SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER 4 LAST NAME FIRST NAME & MIDDLE NAME SUFFIX: (Mark with X ) JR III OTHER SUFFIX 5 CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS : STREET ADDRESS & APARTMENT NUMBER CITY STATE ZIP CODE 6 TODAY S DATE: (MM-DD-YYYY) 7 I AFFIRM THE FOREGOING STATEMENTS ARE TRUE SSS FORM 1 (JAN 12) OMB APPROVAL 3240-0002 Mail this form to: Selective Service System P.O. Box 94739 Palatine, IL 60094-4739 SIGNATURE AGENCY USE We estimate the public reporting burden for this collection will vary from two minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data source s, gathering data, and completing and r eviewing the information. Send comments regarding the burden statement or any other aspects of the collection of in formation, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Selective Service System, e SSS Forms O fic r(3240-002),a rlington, VA 22209-2425. The OMB control number 3240-0002, is currently valid. Persons are not required to respond to this collection unless it displ ays a valid OMB control number. INT
Voting Voting with special needs You are not required to vote, but it is a privilege conferred at 18 Individuals under legal guardianship can vote You CANNOT vote if the court has deemed you totally or partially mentally incapacitated, without the right to vote
Know what is expected on Voting Day People with disabilities have the right to get help with voting and to decide who will help them vote. A person with a disability can get help from a friend, family member, caregiver, residential service provider or almost anyone else of his or her choosing except an employer or union member. The person can also ask a poll worker for assistance with voting. Do your homework! Know who the candidates are! https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2012/10/16/autism-and-rightvote
Able and want to vote? What do you need? Register to vote Post Office DPS (While renewing license) Online Identification Texas ID card issued by DPS Texas drivers license US Passport Texas State Election Certification
Marriage At 18 years old, you can legally get married Marriage is a legal union with another person, causing mutual rights and responsibilities
Marriage Single versus married life What was once only yours is now both of yours Taxes Debt Assets
Now You Are 18 With a Disability Rights and Responsibilities that confer on the 18 th birthday