FRANKE JAMES

US Justice Dept Takes Legal Action against Forced Placement of Disabled in Nursing Homes

by Franke James

SouthDakota_NYTimes2 MAY 2016 — If my sister, Teresa Pocock, had been forced into a U.S. nursing home, the culprits could now be facing the fury and wrath of the US Justice Department.

Yes, remarkably, the US Justice Department is leading a campaign to stop the forced placement of disabled adults into nursing homes.

The wrongful practice of segregating the developmentally disabled in nursing homes is widespread in the USA, just as it is in Canada. But the difference is that the US Justice Department has been launching lawsuits against the State governments that are wrongly discriminating against the disabled through forced segregation in nursing homes. It is very positive to see that the US Justice Department is standing up for the Civil Rights of people with disabilities.

South Dakota Wrongly Puts Thousands in Nursing Homes, Government Says
“The Justice Department’s efforts are rooted in a 1999 Supreme Court decision, Olmstead v. L.C. The court ruled that, unless a nursing home is medically necessary, people have a right under the Americans With Disabilities Act to receive care without being segregated from society.”

So my burning question for the Ontario government is: Why are they not stepping forward to defend the civil rights of the disabled? Do we need the equivalent of the US Justice Department to sue them?

Please sign Teresa’s petition: Tell the Ontario Government, Human Rights Should Be For Everybody.

Related posts

Teresa’s Petition on Change.org

Tell the Ontario Government, Human Rights Should Be For Everybody
Institution Watch Spring 2016 Newsletter: Teresa’s story – Human Rights Should Be For Everybody

Family Support Institute of BC Newsletter: Human Rights Should Be For Everybody

Down Syndrome Victory! Teresa Pocock wins an Arts Grant in Vancouver

How many times can the Minister of Health turn his head, pretending he just doesn’t see?

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Dear Minister of Health, How Do You Measure One Year?

July 1, 2014 Teresa and Franke

Franke James’ 2014 “Crisis, Capacity and Courage” Presentation to Ontario MPPs

Select Committee on Developmental Services at the Ontario Government

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