Inclusion Daily Express -- May 22, 2003

INCLUSION DAILY EXPRESS

http://www.InclusionDaily.com

Your quick, once-a-day look at disability rights, self-determination
and the movement toward full community inclusion around the world.

Thursday, May 22, 2003
Year IV, Edition 087

This edition includes 8 news and information items, each preceded by a number (#) symbol.
Today's "Below the Fold" page includes headlines and links to all other news items gathered today.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"It's simply the wrong word to use."
--Stephanie Werner, talking about a Gary, Indiana agency's decision to drop the word "retarded" from its name (First story)

"I’m more than my problem. Just because my legs don’t work doesn’t mean the rest of me is useless!"
--Patrick Wilson, who uses a wheelchair, playing the role of Mike, who uses a wheelchair, in a play about the real lives of people with disabilities (Third story)

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# ADVOCACY

Agency Drops "Retarded" From Name; VOR Disapproves
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
May 22, 2003

GARY, INDIANA--Nearly everyone was celebrating Wednesday as the Lake County Association for the Retarded officially changed its name from LCAR to BRIDGES.

"This represents what we really are," explained Dick McClaughry, a member of the committee that decided on the name change.

"We wanted something different to start a new day . . . a new millennium," said director Kris Prohl.

All across North America, organizations are dropping the word "retarded" from their names, titles and vocabulary. The Arc of the United States, formerly The Association of Retarded Citizens, recently decided to remove the word from its mission statement. There are even rumors that the President's Council on Mental Retardation is considering a new name that more accurately reflects society's changing attitudes toward people with disabilities.

One group that is displeased with BRIDGES' new name is the Voice of the Retarded. VOR actively supports keeping people with developmental disabilities housed in institutional settings, and has blocked measures to provide more community-based services across the country. The organization refuses to drop the "R" word from its name, ignoring pleas from people who feel insulted by the word.

Ironically, VOR director Tamie Hopp told the Northwest Indiana Times that attitudes -- not names -- are what must be changed.

Related resources:
"Local agency removes 'retarded' from name" (Northwest Indiana Times)
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/red/0522a.htm

"Who speaks for you?" (Cartoon from Mouth Magazine)
http://www.mouthmag.com/vorcartoon.htm

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# ABUSE / INSTITUTIONS

Special Report Continues On Restraint Deaths In Texas
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
May 22, 2003

AUSTIN, TEXAS--Over the past three and a half years, Inclusion Daily Express has brought to readers several stories on restraint related injuries and deaths in Texas institutions and treatment facilities. There have been at least 44 such deaths documented in the state since 1988.

Of particular concern is the "prone restraint", in which a person is held face-down on the stomach or chest. Deaths have occurred in this position because the person's breathing and circulation is restricted, a condition known as "positional asphyxia".

The prone restraint is banned entirely in three states. Prison officials in Texas consider the restraint so dangerous that they prohibit guards from using the technique on even the most violent inmates.

Some advocates worry that even if strong legislation were passed to stop prone restraints on people with disabilities, the rules would not be adequately enforced.

The Austin American-Statesman has posted a special report entitled "Death by Restraint" for the last several months. It added these five new articles Sunday.

"When discipline turns fatal"
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/red/0522d.htm

"Competing theories explain teen's restraint-related death"
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/red/0522c.htm

"A Texas toll: deaths attributed to restraints"
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/red/0522b.htm

"Federal study found restraints lack sufficient regulation"
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/red/0522f.htm

"Where troubled children can help themselves"
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/red/0522e.htm

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# ADVOCACY / EDUCATION

Play Is Very Real For Actors
May 22, 2003

CANTON TOWNSHIP, OHIO--The following five paragraphs are excerpts from a story that ran in Thursday's Canton Repository:

"I’m more than my problem," he (Mike) said, frustrated. "Just because my legs don’t work doesn’t mean the rest of me is useless!"

Mike is just a character in a play. But Patrick Wilson of Stow is real.

Wilson plays the role of Mike in "What’s the Difference?" a play that portrays what people with disabilities face in their day-to-day lives. Southgate School's high school students saw the play Wednesday.

In reality, Wilson is paralyzed due to spina bifida. He is the last original cast member from the drama that began in 2000. "This play provides an opportunity to say, 'Don't put limitations on me,'" Wilson said afterward.

The characters share with each other their difficulties because of disabilities, and many of the stories are firsthand, true accounts. Each person has the same condition that he or she portrays in the play.

Entire article:
"What’s the difference?" (Canton Repository)
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=101393&r=2&Category=11

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# INSTITUTIONS / ABUSE

Parents Worry Federal Probe At CHDC Will Lead To Lawsuit & Closure
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
May 22, 2003

CONWAY, ARKANSAS--The U.S. Justice Department last week completed an investigation of resident care and treatment at Conway Human Development Center, the largest institution in Arkansas that houses about 550 people with mental retardation and other disabilities.

The months-long investigation was prompted by complaints from parents and from media reports about treatment and safety problems in CHDC. Earlier investigations by the state found that the facility did not protect residents from abuse, did not provide adequate medical care, and did not supervise residents -- to the point where staff lost track of residents for up to 19 hours at a time.

Now parents of CHDC residents, who want the facility to stay open, say they are afraid that the federal investigation will report more deficiencies and violations of residents' rights. Such reports might lead to expensive lawsuits that could cause state officials to give up on keeping the costly institution open.

Some pro-institution supporters suggest that the federal pressure put on closing institutions has little to do with the actual treatment people in the institutions experience. Instead, they say, the move to close these facilities is motivated by third-party consultants who "almost always" find deficiencies in order to keep their lucrative contracts with the government.

Related article:
"Feds on the prowl at Conway" (Arkansas Times)
http://www.arktimes.com/reporter/030523reportera.html

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# EDUCATION / LAWS

Student Granted Extra Time For Finals May Be First In Country
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
May 22, 2003

MUMBAI, INDIA--With a little help from the Mumbai High Court, accounting student Dhaval was allowed six extra hours to complete his final professional education exams on May 2 to become a chartered accountant.

Dhaval filed a petition with the court against the Chartered Accountants of India just two days earlier.

"There are provisions that physically handicapped persons must be given extra time to write examinations papers. I just asked for my right," Dhaval, who has cerebral palsy, told the Mid Day news service.

The student had been given extra hours to complete papers last year, but his requests were denied for the final exams.

His is believed to be the first such case in India.

Related article:
"Court grants disabled student extra time" (Mid Day)
http://www.mid-day.com/metro/chembur/2003/may/53468.htm

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# TODAY'S FEATURED ACCESSIBILITY WEBSITE

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http://www.inclusionsolutions.com

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# EXPRESS EXTRA!!!

Quote worth noting:
"When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong. The minority are usually right."
--Eugene Victor Debs, 1855-1926, U.S. labor leader and political activist

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# DISCUSSION BOARD
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http://members5.boardhost.com/InclusionDaily

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# BELOW THE FOLD
A list of 61 other disability-related news items found today:
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/btf/052203_65.htm

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