What does the Americans with Disabilities Act do

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that people with disabilities, such as severe mental illness, have legal protection against discrimination in the workplace, housing and residential settings (including treatment facilities such as hospitals), public programs, and telecommunications. The ADA's goal is to give the 54 million Americans with disabilities full and equal opportunities (President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, 2002).

What are State Protection and Advocacy programs?

Each State, as well as the District of Columbia and the five Territories, has a Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program. PAIMI programs safeguard the rights of people with mental illness.

Where problems are found, PAIMI programs pursue legal, administrative, and other remedies to ensure protection of rights for people with severe mental illness. People with disabilities who are not eligible for PAIMI services may be eligible for other programs within the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system, such as the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) program or the Client Assistance Program (CAP).

What is an advance directive?

If you frequently seek and use mental health services, you may want to establish an advance directive. There are two general types of advance directives: instructional, such as living wills, and proxy, such as durable power of attorney.

Each directive is a legal document that lets you describe what services you want to receive if an illness renders you unable to make decisions about your care. Give a copy of the directive to your usual service provider(s) so that it can become part of your medical record. Laws about advance directives vary from State to State. Work with a lawyer, paralegal, or advocate to write your advance directive.

What is 'informed consent'?

Informed consent refers to when a patient agrees to undergo or participate in a medical or surgical procedure, treatment, or study after learning what is involved. Informed consent requires that a person know and fully understand the risks and benefits of a certain treatment or procedure.

Can I refuse treatment?

People generally have the right to consent to or refuse treatment. However, under certain conditions-such as when a person is considered a danger to self or others-he or she may be required to seek or receive treatment. This can include involuntary civil commitment, which can be for either outpatient or inpatient treatment, as well as forced medication. Laws about commitment vary by State. If you have questions about the commitment process in your State, contact your State P&A program or consumer or family organization.

What about managed care rights?

Many organizations have developed bills of rights for people with severe mental illnesses who are treated in a managed care setting. The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) has developed principles for managed care treatment. CMHS recommends that providers, managed care firms, and consumers consider these principles in their decision-making process. Most managed care firms have a process for grievances and appeals. Participants may appeal a treatment decision, question payment decisions, or file complaints about providers and facilities.

Do I have a right to privacy?

Mental health providers agree to keep your meetings and what you discuss confidential. This means that what you say-as well as your diagnosis and treatment-cannot be disclosed to anyone, including family members, without your written consent.

Resources:

The following list is a basic guide to organizations that can help protect your rights. For more information on any of these issues and other aspects of mental illness, call SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center (NMHIC).

SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center P.O. Box 42557 Washington, DC 20015 Telephone: 800-789-2647 Fax: 240-747-5470 (TDD): 866-889-2647 E-mail: nmhic-info@samhsa.hhs.gov

American Bar Association

Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law 740 15th Street NW, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20005 Telephone: 202-662-1570 Fax: 202-662-1032 E-mail: cmpdl@abanet.org www.abanet.org/disability

American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area 1400 20th Street NW Washington, DC 20036 Telephone: 202-457-0800 www.aclu.org

Disability Rights Section Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20530 Telephone: 800-514-0301 Fax: 202-307-1198 (TDD): 800-514-0383 www.usdoj.gov/crt/drssec.htm

Judge Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law 1101 15th Street NW, Suite 1212 Washington, DC 20005-5002 Telephone: 202-467-5730 Fax: 202-223-0409 www.bazelon.org

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Colonial Place Three 2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22201-3042 Telephone: 800-950-6264 Fax: 703-524-9094 www.nami.org

National Disability Rights Network 900 2nd Street NE, Suite 211 Washington, DC 20002 Telephone: 202-408-9514 Fax: 202-408-9520 (TDD): 202-408-9521

National Empowerment Center 599 Canal Street Lawrence, MA 01840 Telephone: 800-769-3728 Fax: 978-681-6426 www.power2u.org

National Mental Health Association 2001 N. Beauregard Street - 12th Floor Alexandria, VA 22311 Telephone: 800-969-NMHA (6642) Fax: 703-684-5968 www.nmha.org

National Mental Health Consumer's Self-Help Clearinghouse 1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 1207 Philadelphia, PA 19107 Telephone: 800-553-4539 Fax: 215-636-6312 E-mail: info@mhselfhelp.org www.mhselfhelp.org

National Rehabilitation Information Center 4200 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 202 Lanham, MD 20706

Telephone: 800-346-2742 or 301-459-5900 E-mail: naricinfo@heitechservices.com www.naric.com

About the Author

Listen to Arthur Buchanan on the Mike Litman Show!

http://freesuccessaudios.com/Artlive.mp3 THIS LINK WORKS, LISTEN TODAY!

With Much Love, Arthur Buchanan

President/CEO

Out of Darkness & Into the Light 209 ELLIS Ave. Suite 1313 Huron Ohio, 44839

www.out-of-darkness.com

www.mentalillnessandme.com

www.biologicalhappiness.com

www.adhdandme.com

Talking to Distressed Homeowners: How to Prove You're Not Part of the Problem

It's probably becoming apparent to you that there is a lot that can go right in a foreclosure if it's handled properly. Of course, foreclosures - or the threat of them - are never fun for a homeowner, but you can see that in negotiating a short sale for a distressed homeowner, not only do you save them the pain and suffering - mentally and monetarily - of actually undergoing a foreclosure, but you make a profit and the lender saves a great deal of time and trouble. However, even if you're a seasoned short-sale veteran, it pays to bear in mind that this entire process works because you pay attention to details, and you don't want to overlook a red flag that could send the whole thing up in flames.

So bear these simple factors in mind when evaluating and negotiating your deals, and you'll easily save yourself time, trouble and even money.

Undisclosed debts. You may be thinking to yourself: "This guy owes the bank over $400,000, why on earth wouldn't he tell me about the home-equity loan he took out last year? At this point, what's another $40,000?" But you have to remember, these homeowners are embarrassed, stressed-out and not always thinking clearly. It may be taking all your client's got not to run for the hills as it is, and that $40,000 may have slipped his mind (accidentally on purpose) or be lurking in a pile of discarded mail that he's too ashamed to open. Remind the seller, the more they owe, at this point, the better you can negotiate a deal. This is true, since you're making the case to the lender that they'll never recoup their investment. However, you as an investor also want to be sure that you know what you're getting into, and so you need to convince the homeowner to show you all the skeletons before you buy the closet! Time is of the essence. We've all read this phrase, and as a real estate investor, you've probably read it more often than most! And no place is it more accurate than in short sale negotiations. Before you even commit to handling the deal, evaluate several things. Is the homeowner responsive to questions, or do they lag on your requests for information? Some people are too resigned - they've decided that not caring is easier than salvaging what they can from their sinking financial ship. If your homeowner is one of these people, they may render your negotiations futile by not providing adequate or accurate information. You are prepared and prompt at all times. If your homeowner is consistently slow, you may need to reevaluate your investment. Meet all the owners. If you're going to invest in this property, you need to get a look at the deed. In the event of divorce or separation, for example, the distressed homeowner may not be the only person with interest in the property. And it's possible that the other party on the deed - say, an ex-husband living 500 miles away - does not know anything about the current resident's troubles, or that she's trying to resolve them via a short sale. You need to be sure that you have all the necessary permissions from all the owners before proceeding with your talks with the lender. Get a solid contract. And once you've got it, never let it go. You do need to cover your legal bases, and if you're not a lawyer, it will pay in the long run for you to get all contracts, etc. checked over before you sign. Make a checklist of the things that you personally feel are necessary for you to feel confident when taking on negotiations for a short sale. If a property or its owner don't meet the criteria, you may be better off walking away. Remember, no one can make everyone happy all of the time, so you should pick and choose who you try to please, and bear in mind that in the end, you're an investor and you must protect yourself.

About the Author

Our names are Neal and Cory Barnett and we haven't always made a lot of money. We are two brothers who came from a large family raised in a small town in beautiful North Carolina. We came from a family of factory workers and farmers because that was about all there was to choose from that far out in the country. TO find out more go to www.discovershortsales.com

Smoothing The Path To Loss Mitigation: How To Make Loss Mitigation Specialists Treat You Like Their Best Friend

We've talked already about how stress can complicate anything - even when it's not your stress! In some ways, loss-mitigation specialists have to deal with the same problems that homeowners facing foreclosure do - after all, they're just dealing with the other side of the coin! The good news - for you and them - is that your simply being aware of this can make a loss-mitigation specialist your new best friend, and if that specialist happens to work at a bank in an area where you hope to do a lot of business, this can pay off big both immediately and into the future.

Here are some things that you're probably already doing for yourself that will dramatically improve or facilitate your burgeoning relationship with lenders and bankers.

Make things easy. Just like you spelled out what you needed from the homeowner, go ahead and spell out what you know (and what you need) here. There is nothing like a clear, concise and politely worded checklist to make any administrator's life easier. And it will help you keep track of things as well because everyone - you, the loss-mitigation specialist, and the homeowner - will literally be on the same page! Make sure it's all legal. No one wants to devote a lot of time and energy to a project doomed to fail, so use a standard contract that you know is fool-proof. Get your lawyer to double-check contracts, deeds and other legal documents to make sure you haven't overlooked any vital details that could negate all your hard work - and all the loss-mitigation specialist's hard work - later.

One or two duds and your reputation with that administrator is going to need repair, but if transactions with you are always smooth, then they'll be eager to help you every time you call. Be the middleman. Frantic homeowners are not fun to deal with, which is one major reason lenders prefer to avoid foreclosures. The whole process is painful, time-consuming and, on a personal level, depressing and stressful. You're making a pretty easy profit here, so do that poor administrator a favor be the go-between when possible.

After all, you're the one who's developed a rapport with the homeowner, so it probably will be easier for you anyway. If you relay information (whenever possible, of course) in a timely, pleasant and straightforward fashion, you'll score big points with everyone. Say these magic words easily and often: "Thank you, I appreciate your time and ________________." Even if you're not in an appreciating mood, not only will a simple thank you defuse a situation, it can even calm you down. Everyone likes to be thanked and appreciated, no matter how simple the task they may have undertaken. And it's hard not to help someone who's telling you how great you are.

Furthermore, administrators are often overlooked (especially in large corporations, where a team of them may handle day-to-day business), so this simple sentence can make a lasting and positive impression that will stick throughout this negotiation and into future endeavors. Just like the homeowner, the loan officer doesn't want to feel like this difficult situation is their fault, and remember, you're the answer to this problem. So far, we've talked about things that you can do to work with other people on a short sale, but what are some things for you to look out for?

About the Author

Our names are Neal and Cory Barnett and we haven't always made a lot of money. We are two brothers who came from a large family raised in a small town in beautiful North Carolina. We came from a family of factory workers and farmers because that was about all there was to choose from that far out in the country. TO find out more go to www.discovershortsales.com

10 STEPS TO SUCCESS IN DIRECT SALES

Every year thousands of men and women across America sign on with direct selling firm-Tupperware, Amway, or a cosmetic company-hoping to make money enough for new draperies, a new davenport, or some new clothes. They sell a little merchandise to a few relatives and close friends. Then they are through. They quit before they give themselves a chance to learn the basics of success in sales. "I am simply not a born salesperson," they often say.

No one is born a salesperson, any more than one is born a doctor or born a lawyer. Sales is a profession. To be successful in any profession one must learn not only the basic techniques, but also how to apply those techniques. Success in sales makes use of all the abilities one is born with, plus all those acquired through education and experience.

If you are looking for a career opportunity or "extra income" to help with the family budget, direct selling offers you dream-fulfilling possibilities. However, you must give yourself time to learn the techniques of sales. Ask yourself. "How long does a doctor to be study? A lawyer to be study?"

WHAT IS DIRECT SELLING?

Direct selling is marketing a product directly to the consumer with no middleman involved. Most reliable firms are members of the National Association of Direct Selling Companies. They bring to the public fine products that are modestly priced in order to insure mass consumption.

Most direct selling companies furnish their representatives with a starter kit and essential supplies below-cost prices. In many instances the investment is under $100.

There is an old adage which says "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Many of them were able to change their lives for the better. They took their families on nice vacations. They purchased a piano or an organ and provided music lessons for their children. They saved money for college education. They redecorated their homes, bought needed furniture. One highly successful saleslady built a new home.

The rewards of direct selling are many

1. You can be your own boss. 2. You can set your own hours. 3. You can own your own businesses with little or no investment. 4. You can pay yourself more than any boss would ever pay you. 5. You can give yourself regular raises as your business grows.

It is only fair to tell you that there are failures, too. There are people who will not work for themselves. When working for a boss, they rise early, are well-groomed, and get to the office on time. However, when they are their own boss, they are still in a bathrobe, drinking one more cup of coffee at 11:00 A.M.

If you can be your own boss and discipline yourself to do what has to be done when it has to be done, direct selling offers a most unusual earning opportunity.

THE TEN STEPS

Here are ten steps that will assure your success:

1. BE A GOAL SETTER. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to save for college education for your children? A new car? A new home? You can have whatever you want, but you must want it enough to do the things that have to be done to get it. Whatever your goal, write it down and set a target date for reaching it. Divide the time period into blocks of achievement that are reachable. Work consistently toward accomplishing each day, each week, each month what you set out to do. Goal-setting is a must in every area of life. Little is ever accomplished without definite goals.

2. BE A LIST MAKER. Each evening list all the things you want to get done the following day. That gives you an organized approach to each day. As each task is finished, mark it off your list. It is amazing how much gets done when one works with a "things-to-do" list. Also, have a notebook listing appointments, potential clients, repeat clients, and referrals, and keep it with you at all times. You will be adding to it constantly.

3. BE ENTHUSIASTIC. Enthusiasm is the high-octane "fuel" that salespeople run on. Enthusiasm generates its own energy. Energy and good health are synonymous with busy, happy people, people who are achieving.

4. RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAGIC WORD IN SALES IS "ASK." In direct sales we don't have to wait for business to come to us. We create our own business by asking for it. Ask for appointments, then you can do business. Ask for business, then you will close sales. Ask for referrals, then you always have a full list of potential clients. Be quietly, yet firmly aggressive.

5. EXPECT NO'S. Realize that no's are not personal. In sales, as perhaps nowhere else, the law of averages works. Every no gets you closer to a yes. Keep track of your ratio. It will help improve your techniques. Are you getting ten no's to one yes? Is your ratio five to one? Remember, the yes's are your income. Also remember that "no" does not necessarily mean "no." Often a "no" is simply a stall for more time to think. It may be a request for more information about your product or your service. What your client is actually buying is assurance. Assure here by your helpful attitude and your complete honesty, that you want what is best for her. She will most likely respect you and do business with you.

6. SCHEDULE TIME WISELY. A schedule is the roadmap by which salespeople travel. It takes the frustration out of the day. It assures that the necessary things get done and get done on time. Plan your work then work your plan.

7. BE POSITIVE IN YOUR ATTITUDE. Success in sales, as in all areas of life is 90 percent attitude and 10 percent aptitude. All of us must work at developing habits of constructive thinking. I am proud to be a salesperson. Sales make the wheels of our economy turn. Bernard Baruch, advisor to several presidents, is quoted as saying, "If every salesperson sat down and took no orders for twenty-four hours, it would bankrupt our country!" Every company that manufactures any kind of product depends upon salespeople to move that product. Without salespeople business would be paralyzed.

Remember, sales is one of the highest paid of all professions. Statistics show that good salespeople enjoy incomes far above the average.

8. HAVE AN OFFICE AREA. Most direct salespeople work from their own homes, but it is essential to have a place where you can work in a organized and efficient manner. An office plus a strict working schedule gives you dignity. Both are absolutely essential for efficient operation and accurate record keeping, so important to the success of any business.

9. BE INVOLVED. Most sales organization offer contests to stimulate production. Include winning contests as part of your business goals. Contests make your business fun as well as adding considerable dollar value to your income.

10. LEARN TO HANDLE MONEY INTELLIGENTLY. A regular nine-to-five job usually means a paycheck at the end of the second week. Direct sales "reps" handle money constantly. Direct sales is instant income and constant income. Therefore. it is absolutely necessary to become an efficient money manager.

Deposit every penny collected from clients into a checking account set up especially for its business. Since bank statements show an exact record of all monies collected, and business expenses can be verified by canceled checks, record keeping becomes simple and accurate. Everything except a few "petty cash" transactions can be directly taken from bank statements.

Money saved regularly and put at interest, soon develops a second income in addition to earned income. A long-term goal, which is realistic in direct sales, is to be able to live in retirement off the interest earned on savings.

Would financial security mean a lot to you? If so, ask yourself these questions: * Am I honest? * Do I really like people? * Am I willing to learn? * Am I willing to work? * Am I capable of being my own boss?

If your answers are yes, to find a good product for the direct sales market, one that you like, one that fills the need of a lot of people, and go to work for yourself! .You can turn dreams into reality.

About the Author

Welcome to EZUnsecuredCredit.com run by Patrick Zanders the real estate investors premiere source for obtaining unsecured business lines of credit. We are the #1 source for real estate investors because we know the real estate business. We have over 15 years experience in active real estate investing and marketing and we stay on top of the every changing real estate world.

The Fastest Way To Become An Expert

You Are An Infopreneur - But Are You An EXPERT?

The single most important thing that will help you acquire more customers, delight them, and keep them coming back to buy more from you is the quality of your information.

And that means being - or becoming - an expert at what you teach.

Far too many infopreneurs are happy settling for being average, or even mediocre. That's sad. Because, even if great marketing and perfect niche targeting allows you to make a few sales and earn some quick money, you are literally stabbing your fledgling business in the back by not delivering top notch value to your buyers.

So when it's time to come back for more information or education, your initial group of customers will ask themselves an important question:

"Did The First Purchase Give Me Enough Value?"

If the answer to that is "No" - or even, "Maybe" - you have lost the battle for their mind and loyalty. Your business just failed!

Does that sound dramatic? It's not.

At best, many infopreneur businesses only break even or make a small profit from their first sale. The cost of acquiring a new customer is high.

It is only when enough of these customers are delighted by what you gave them, come back for more, and spend more money with your business, that you grow bigger and profitable. In short, to sustain your infopreneuring business, you need to focus on ALWAYS delivering top quality value to your buyers.

When a customer asks the question: "Was my first purchase valuable?", you want the answer to be an emphatic: "Yes, it delivered MORE than what I hoped for!"

Which brings me to the point... to delight your customers and over-deliver in value as an infopreneur, your information must be the best. The only way that can happen is when the information comes from an expert - preferably yourself.

So while there are many things in your life and experience that could be packaged into an information product and sold to a hungry audience, not all of them are areas you are an expert at.

Too many newbie infopreneurs begin their efforts ignoring this simple tenet. They figure out it is far more profitable to go after 'hot' niche markets, and make a killing - with scant regard for the quality of their information and the value it extends to buyers.

While this may be a way to make 'quick cash', it is not a good foundation to build a solid, sustainable infopreneur career.

But how can you become an 'expert' at everything?

The good news is, you don't have to. You can pick and choose something you already know enough about to qualify you as an 'expert'. Or you can spend time learning and studying a subject thoroughly enough to become an 'expert'.

Depending on the niche you are targeting, you might gain that status in a few weeks, or at most a few years. After all, it only takes 5 years for a fresh high school student to become a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer or other professional. Gaining expert status for your infopreneur business will be much quicker - and easier.

Better still, because hardly one in fifty infopreneurs will take the extra time and effort to do this, you will be building yourself a strong barrier to competition - which will help secure your business in the long term.

So start becoming an 'expert' - and then be an infopreneur.

About the Author

Internet infopreneur Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian has helped hundreds of business owners build online information empires. He shares powerful tips, ideas and secrets about achieving success and building massive wealth from information products in his "Internet Infopreneur Tips" ezine. Register for free at InfoProfitz - http://www.InfoProfitz.com/ga.htm - or send any email to infopre-tips@aweber.com