The handbook provides information in question-and-answer format on the legal rights of developmentally disabled persons, focusing on those in the state of Massachusetts. An introductory section discusses developmental disabilities and advocacy. The main section, on legal rights, covers such areas as discrimination (including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973); employment (including wages and fringe benefits); vocational rehabilitation (including sheltered workshops); health care (including medicaid and medicare); public benefits (including social security disability, veterans benefits, and food stamps); housing; transportation (including license plates for the handicapped); special education; recreation; money (banks, bills, and consumer rights); insurance; competence, guardianship, conservatorship, and other options; voting; family rights (including marriage, abortion, sterilization, and sexuality); rights in institutions and community residences; and criminal matters (including victims' rights). Also included are listings of state agencies and their local offices, private developmental disabilities organizations, courts, and sources of legal help. Brief citations to major laws are also included. (Author/DLS)