Member Bill of Rights

1. Every older adult who otherwise qualifies for participation shall have the right to participate as a member of an older adult center.

2. Every older adult shall have the right to participate in all regularly scheduled activities and take advantage of services provided by the center to the extent that funding and space limitations permit.

3. Every older adult center shall have a senior advisory council which will be comprised of older adults from the older adult center membership. Such advisory council shall advise the older adult center’s management of the needs of the older adults.

4. Every older adult attending a older adult center’s regularly scheduled meal period shall be offered a balanced and nutritious meal to the extent that function and space limitations permit. Those older adults that do not receive a balanced and nutritious meal shall be offered nourishment during an older adult center’s regularly scheduled meal period to the extent that funding permits.

5. Every older adult attending an older adult center shall have the opportunity to make a financial contribution which shall be voluntary and anonymous and shall be used by the older adult center to enhance and increase services to older adults.

6. Every older adult shall be treated courteously, fairly and respectfully at an older adult center.

7. Every older adult shall have the right not to be discriminated against based upon his or her actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, martial status, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status, in violation of the human rights law of the City of New York.

8. Every older adult shall have the right to be informed of those older adult centers that are handicapped accessible.

9. Every older adult shall have the right to present grievances on behalf of himself or herself to the older adult center’s staff, board or directors or executive committees, or elected or other government officials, without fear of reprisal from officers or employees of the older adult center.

10. Every older adult served by an older adult center shall have the right to have personal information treated confidentially and protected from disclosure. Information may be shared with the program’s funding source.