According to the Lanterman Act (Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4502b), all people with developmental disabilities have the following rights:

• A right to treatment, services, and supports in the least restrictive environment;
• A right to dignity, privacy, and humane care;
• A right to education;
• A right to medical care and treatment;
• A right to participate in community activities and to be around other people;
• A right to exercise and recreational activities;
• A right to be free from harm, abuse, neglect, and overmedication;
• A right to be free from hazardous procedures;
• A right to make choices including where you live, your relationships, how you spend your time (including education, employment and leisure), and to plan for your future goals.

According to the Lanterman Act (Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4503a to j), all people with developmental disabilities who live in any kind of community care facilities, developmental centers, or health facilities have the following additional rights:

• A right to wear your own clothes and to keep your own things, including money for small purchases;
• A right to storage space for your private use;
• A right to see visitors each day;
• A right to use a telephone and to be able to receive calls;
• A right to receive mail, and send mail, and to be provided stamps and letter-writing materials;
• A right to refuse electroconvulsive therapy;
• A right to any behavior therapy which causes pain;
• A right to refuse surgery which will affect your brain, behavior, thoughts, feelings or actions;
• A right to make choices in your daily activities, relationships, leisure and social activities, and program planning.