Coast Rights

Coast fosters the full participation of the people who use its programs in setting priorities, planning services, and guiding the day-to-day operation of each of its direct service programs. In addition to participating in making decisions within each of the programs, all participants are encouraged to become members of Coast which entitles them to attend the Annual General Meeting, to vote on selection of the Board of Directors and to be nominated for a position as a director or to participate on Board committees.

Coast Rights

Coast's commitment to service and to full participation of program participants in the running of the organization is reflected in a statement of rights. All participants in Coast have the following rights:

• To be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
• To be understood as an individual with unique strengths, views, and beliefs.
• To safe and secure settings appropriate to the service.
• To an environment free from discrimination.
• To participate in service decisions and to appeal those unacceptable to them.
• To services and settings sensitive and responsive to cultural differences.

Consumers of Coast services have the following rights:

• To a range of personalized support and rehabilitation services responsive to individual needs.
• To be involved in all aspects of support and rehabilitation, including risks, outcomes and alternatives in order to make an informed personal choice.
• To make choices based on individual needs, desires, and experiences.
• To confidentiality consistent with Coast's policy and to read and addend their personal file

Advocacy

One of the most important things that Coast does is to advocate on behalf of its members to make sure they have access to programs to which they are entitled or are given the opportunity to take part in programs that they need to reach their personal goals.

Coast also advocates on behalf of people who are recovering from a mental illness to improve mental health and support services. As a result of its advocacy work Coast has developed a Trusts Program which permits individuals to retain assets and have them applied to special needs.