Comments on: Disabled Americans Arrested for Protesting in Front of White House

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:45:26 +0000

Despite the ADA and much rhetoric about the rights, needs, and conditions of people with disabilities, we remain as the most impoverished, unemployed, neglected, abused, and illegally treated class in the United States.

Not only is it impossible for many of those with disabilities confined to nursing homes or other facilities to live independently, it is impossible for those with disabilities now living independently to get the in home care, training, transportation and other support services they need to continue to live independently without a daily struggle.

The US now has 1 million people who are disabled by mental illness in jails and prisons. These people are being blamed, charged, and incarcerated for their disabilities in essence. Instead of housing many in State facilities, they have been let go to live independently without adequate support and care and wind up not being housed in a mental facility but in a correctional facility. Is that progress ?

It will take a huge commitment and a huge public education campaign to raise the awareness of the vast majority of the US population about the conditions, needs, and rights of people with disabilities. Until then, it is true for the most part that people do not care about disabilities until they become disabled themselves and it is too late.

By: iz

iz — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:00:25 +0000

Oh and by the way. A citation is an arrest. An arrest is defined as being charged with a misdemeanor or felony in which you must appear before a judge. Even a ticket is a form of arrest. When you don’t appear in court for your citation that is contempt and/or evading. That is a second charge. Not all arrests are based on handcuffs and jail cells. The problem in our society is that no one educates themselves to fully understand the law or anything for that matter. Everyone is on there own personal mission without knowing what the hell they are talking about.

By: iz

iz — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:52:40 +0000

I think the press issue is valid but so small to the protesters plight and fight. I think the problem with Americans is they don’t care enough about disabled people unless they become disabled them self. Let’s not forget the elderly in this as well. We will all get old and 20% of our population will suffer from a disability. Half of those will be severe. Its wrong how our society dismisses the need for better healthcare. More job opportunities and equal rights. The disabled are discriminated against on so many levels n No1 gives a crap. Until it happens to them. That’s one to grow on.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:46:41 +0000

I am very upset over the apparent ‘lowering of standards’ in today’s world! You run into it every day…people not doing their jobs correctly or fully. No responsibility!!
BUT, I hope when it comes to reporting the news they could AT LEAST get that right! I see it that these protesters received a ‘citation’ and WERE NOT ‘arrested’…which is it?? BIG DIFFERENCE folks!!!
Wow, I hate all of the lying out there anymore … it’s everywhere! Such an INSECURE society.