You have a right to:

• Be at all meetings that are part of the appeal.^[1]§ 4701(a)(9)
• Give written or spoken evidence.^[2]§ 4701(a)(9)
• Have witnesses testify for you.^[3]§ 4701(a)(9)
• Cross-examine the regional center’s witnesses.^[4]§ 4701(a)(9)
• Speak for yourself at the hearing.^[5]§ 4701(a)(9)
• Have an advocate, lawyer, or someone else represent you.
  • The regional center cannot have a lawyer at an informal meeting, mediation, or hearing unless you are a lawyer or have a lawyer with you.^[6]§ 4705.5
  • You must tell regional center if you are bringing a lawyer 5 days before mediation and 15 days before a hearing.^[7]§ 4705.5
• Disqualify a hearing office under certain circumstances.^[8]§ 4701(a)(9)
• Have an interpreter provide interpretation in the preferred language of you or your authorized representative.^[9]§ 4701(a)(8)
• See the regional center’s records about you and your case.^[10]§ 4701(a)(8)

The regional center must give you a written explanation of your rights. They should also give you written information about where to get advocacy help, such as from your Clients’ Rights Advocate, SCDD, and Disability Rights California.^[11]§ 4701(a)(5).