Read on Twitter
One of the more hopeful developments of an otherwise difficult year is the greater concern for the most vulnerable members of society.
And while the attention has so far focused on race and gender, it should also be extended to people with disabilities https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
And while the attention has so far focused on race and gender, it should also be extended to people with disabilities https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
There is an entire category of American adults being denied almost all of their basic legal rights to:
Hold a job
Choose a residence
Determine their health care
Enter into contracts
Decide what to do with their own body https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
Hold a jobChoose a residenceDetermine their health careEnter into contractsDecide what to do with their own body https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
These are adults under legal guardianship — a court-imposed process, in Ohio as elsewhere, “by which a person is relieved of the right to make personal life decisions and another is appointed to make those decisions on that person’s behalf” https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
Among the adults who have lost such rights, or live under the fear that they will, are those with autism.
It is entirely possible that they will end up in guarded and segregated communities, often against their will https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
It is entirely possible that they will end up in guarded and segregated communities, often against their will https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
Maybe you think some of these individuals are unable to care for themselves.
To whatever extent that may be true, it's no reason for trampling on human rights. And even if you think it is, you should know that the legal system is prone to horrible errors https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
To whatever extent that may be true, it's no reason for trampling on human rights. And even if you think it is, you should know that the legal system is prone to horrible errors https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
After recent revelations about institutional racism, it’s hard to believe that prejudices do not affect decisions about guardianship.
The justice system is heavily biased in favor of plea bargains, in effect favoring efficiency over constitutional rights https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
The justice system is heavily biased in favor of plea bargains, in effect favoring efficiency over constitutional rights https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
Even when there's no bias, there's the reality of simple error — which are common enough in hospitals, where the stakes are much higher.
Yet the error rate for decisions about guardianship, in contrast with the medical error rate, is unknown https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
Yet the error rate for decisions about guardianship, in contrast with the medical error rate, is unknown https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
There is also a dearth of information about the overall numbers of autistic Americans under guardianship.
In American history, lack of transparency has too often been correlated with unfairness and prejudice https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
In American history, lack of transparency has too often been correlated with unfairness and prejudice https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
One study considered 8,713 diagnosed autistic adults in the U.S. Of that cohort, 5,025 were legally dependent, with a court-appointed custodian. Of that group:
43.4% were intellectually disabled
Two thirds had at least one psychiatric disorder
https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
43.4% were intellectually disabledTwo thirds had at least one psychiatric disorderhttps://trib.al/sJHS5Td
These numbers hardly settle the question.
But they do raise the possibility that many of these adults may never have needed guardianship status in the first place https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
But they do raise the possibility that many of these adults may never have needed guardianship status in the first place https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
Once people have lost their rights, it is not particularly easy to win them back, if only because they do not have control over their own life.
How do you prove that you are capable of making your own decisions? https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
How do you prove that you are capable of making your own decisions? https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
So it is likely that a significant number of Americans are being denied their most basic liberties, and without much public outcry, while many others live under that threat https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
In addition, have we done everything to minimize the loss of liberty for those who are genuinely unable to care for themselves?
Just two years ago, some institutions were allowed to administer electric shocks to adults for purposes of behavior control https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
Just two years ago, some institutions were allowed to administer electric shocks to adults for purposes of behavior control https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
Americans do not always behave best “when no one is watching.”
Have you ever wondered how previous generations tolerated so much racism, segregation, incarceration and other abuses of human rights? You don’t need a time machine to find out https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
Have you ever wondered how previous generations tolerated so much racism, segregation, incarceration and other abuses of human rights? You don’t need a time machine to find out https://trib.al/sJHS5Td
