|
|
|
Please note that the articles are
listed in alphabetical order by State, so you can easily scan
Dr. Nora's Top Articles
1. “In Patient Abuse Cases, Reforms Come Slowly” --- State officials working to upgrade patient abuse investigations at California's board-and-care institutions for the developmentally disabled aim to overhaul the in-house police force while also directing the most serious cases to outside agencies. --- U-T San Diego --- May 2, 2012 (CALIFORNIA) http://is.gd/1JpffY
2. “Jury Awards $2.9 Million
Verdict Against DCover Negligent Care of Mentally ...” --- The
operator of the group home where Suggs lived previously settled for
$900,000. His sister, Carrie Weaver, hailed the verdict last week.
“I'm very, very disappointed that it's taken so long,” she said in a
telephone interview from her South Carolina ... --- Washington Post
--- May 1, 2012 (DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA)
http://is.gd/9w7EGB
3. “Abuse
Alleged at Cd'A Daycare Facility” --- She said Schenck would
allegedly call the children “idiots,” “stupid,” “retarded,” and
make fun of a child that was possibly autistic, keeping the boy in
a high chair all day long. “She'd hit them on the head and smack
them on the hands,” Griswold said ... --- Coeur d'Alene Press ---
May 1, 2012 (IDAHO)
http://is.gd/GgNIre
4. “Verdict
in Ill. Group Home Death Leaves Questions” --- The violent death
of Paul McCann led to improvements in how Illinois intends to
protect the mentally disabled in group homes, but the trial of the
first man accused of killing him suggests to some ... ---
Muscatine Journal --- May 4, 2012 (ILLINOIS)
http://is.gd/GAW3LE
5. “Parker
County Grand Jury Indicts 4 in Abuse of Special-needs Child” ---
Four adults whose discipline of an 11-year-old boy with
special needs included rubbing his face in ketchup on a wall and
holding him down on a kitchen table while two of the adults
paddled him with a plastic cutting board have been indicted by a
Parker ... --- Chicago Tribune --- May 3, 2012 (ILLINOIS)
http://is.gd/NFhtvO
6. “Ex-Hub
School Aide Indicted in Abuse Case” --- A former Boston school
teacher's assistant was indicted by a Suffolk grand jury
yesterday, accused of molesting two young special-needs boys at
separate Hub schools last year, officials said. LaShawn Hill, 34,
of Dorchester was charged ... --- Boston Herald --- May 5, 2012
(MASSACHUSETTS)
http://is.gd/NvKY7W
7. “Secret
Wiring Protects Disabled Students from Teacher Bullying” ---
Like Chaifetz, an increasing number of parents are wiring
their non-communicable, disabled children when they suspect abuse
at school. But, in many states, secretly wiring students is a
violation of a teacher's right to privacy. --- PolicyMic --- May
2, 2012 (NEW JERSEY)
http://is.gd/cZ4B3z
8. “Suspended Police Officer
Plans to Retire” --- Grand Rapids Police say Officer Randal Smith
filed for retirement on April 16th, five days after he was suspended
for allegedly having a relationship with a mentally challenged woman.
Police Chief Kevin Belk says Smith met the alleged victim while on ...
--- WZZM --- May 2, 2012 (MICHIGAN)
http://is.gd/ZTFfhb
9. “Advocates
Speak out After Developmentally Disabled Man Found Chained up in
Edmond” --- The discovery of a developmentally disabled man tied up
inside his home on Wednesday night had advocates speaking out
Friday. The discovery of a developmentally disabled man tied up
inside ... ---
news9.com
KWTV --- May 4, 2012 (OKLAHOMA)
http://is.gd/Ye7ESQ
10. “2
Women with Special Needs Allegedly Sexually Assaulted” --- In
Pleasant Hills, detectives are investigating allegations made that
a 27-year-old woman who is severely handicapped and can't speak
was sexually assaulted at an adult daycare center. --- CBS Local
--- May 3, 2012 (PENNSYLVANIA)
http://is.gd/4ZiKiF
12. “Column: Abuse of Disabled Under-reported”
--- According to the US Census Bureau, at least 36 million
Americans - about 12 percent of the population - who are not
institutionalized have a disability. About one third of these
(including 2.1 million school-age children) have difficulty
concentrating, ... --- Coeur d'Alene Press --- May 3, 2012 (U.S.
– NATIONAL)
http://is.gd/lcW10y
16. “Connecticut Senate Passes Bill to Allow
Changes to Child Abuse, Neglect Registry” --- The Connecticut
Senate has passed a bill that would allow rehabilitated people
to apply to have their names removed from the state child
abuse and neglect registry. State senators voted 23-13 in
favor of a modified version of the ... --- Torrington Register
Citizen --- May 3, 2012 (CONNECTICUT)
http://is.gd/OXbIlE
Abuse/Crime-related
19. “Sac County, IA Teen
Charged with Abusing Family Member” --- Back in February, a local
doctor contacted the Sac County Sheriff to report the sexual assault
of a minor girl who was mentally handicapped. An investigation led
to 17-year-old Avery Tjossem. --- KTIV –-- May 4, 2012 (IOWA)
http://is.gd/64yBhm
20. Man Found Guilty of
Molesting Deaf Daughter of Friends” --- The victim, who is deaf and
has a learning disability, used to have sleepovers at the home of
defendant Robert Ruiz, whose children were her friends. According to
court testimony, during those visits Ruiz sexually abused the girl
over a period of four ... ---
News10.net
--- April 30, 2012 (CALIFORNIA)
http://is.gd/KTJO5a
21. “Sacto 911: Man
Convicted of Molesting Child Who is Deaf” --- A Sacramento County
jury has convicted a 38-year-old man of multiple counts of child
molestation involving a young victim who is deaf and has a learning
disability. Robert Ruiz was a friend of the victim's family. ---
Sacramento Bee --- April 30, 2012 (CALIFORNIA)
http://is.gd/bseZep
22. “Sonoma Valley Rallies
to Help Disabled Man Stabbed, Beaten, Left Alongside Road” --- The
well-known and well-liked man made his way around Sonoma Valley on
his customized tricycle with its disabled placard and blue-and-red
lights. --- Santa Rosa Press Democrat --- April 30, 2012
(CALIFORNIA)
http://is.gd/KJIkVy
23. “Officer Cited in
Wheelchair-Bound Man's Death” --- St. Petersburg, Florida- A Bay
Area lawyer said he was somewhat satisfied with the citation of a
St. Petersburg police officer Thursday, for his role in the death of
a wheelchair-bound man. Police cited Officer Mehmedin Karic for
Careless Driving, ... --- WTSP 10 News --- May 3, 2012 (FLORIDA)
http://is.gd/Eqj2d3
24. “Judge Grants Bond to
Juveniles Accused of Molesting Boy on Bus” --- Bus driver Ella
Holland testified Thursday that she never saw any of the several
students she regularly drove to the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf
being molested while on the bus despite a confession by one of the
boys. --- Atlanta Journal Constitution --- May 3, 2012 (GEORGIA)
http://is.gd/MZWn9X
25. “Disabled Man Fatally
Stabbed in His Detroit Apartment” --- Their easy going little
brother, who was disabled, forever taken away. "My brother was a
churchgoing brother. He loved God," said Kimani Watkins. "He just
liked to relax and have a good time." Watkins was attacked in his
apartment. --- MyFox Detroit --- May 3, 2012 (MICHIGAN)
http://is.gd/f7maVW
26. “Group Home Operator
Placed on Conditional Licenses” --- The Duluth company that operates
four group homes for mentally-ill adults is under close scrutiny by
state licensing officials following accusations of emotional abuse
and neglect. --- WDIO-TV --- May 4, 2012 (MINNESOTA)
http://is.gd/qZxZ9o
27. “Former Group Home
Supervisor Accused of Taking Money from Developmentally Disabled”
--- Jill Peterson, an employee at Reach Inc., became the Cedarview
Group Home supervisor in July 2010. The following year, a Reach
employee began looking into reports that Peterson exploited three
developmentally delayed men for financial gain. --- KBZK Bozeman
News --- May 3, 2012 (MONTANA)
http://is.gd/rZEbQM
28. “Man Accused of Robbing
Man in Wheelchair Arraigned” --- A man accused of stealing money
from a man in a wheelchair appeared before a judge Thursday morning.
David Dionne, 39, was accused of stealing about $150 from Chestnut
Street resident Richard Robitaille, 75, on Monday. --- WMUR
Manchester --- May 3, 2012 (NEW HAMPSHIRE)
http://is.gd/rqxjNt
29. “Lawrence Man Charged
with Using Stick in Attempted Robbery” ---
Bryan Adam Berard, 19, of 186 Arlington St., was charged with
assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a stick), assault and
battery on a mentally retarded person and attempted robbery, police
said. Berard was being held last night at the Essex ... --- Eagle
Tribune --- April 29, 2012 (NEW HAMPSHIRE)
http://is.gd/oeLzBi
30. “Somerset County Man
Allegedly Sexually Assaulted Mentally Disabled Frenchtown Nursing
Home Resident” --- A Somerset County man was arrested last week on
charges that he sexually assaulted a mentally disabled resident of a
Frenchtown nursing home, according to New Jersey State Police. ---
The Express Times -
LehighValleyLive.com
--- May 1, 2012 (NEW JERSEY)
http://is.gd/NO4ugt
31. “Bartlesville Bully
Victim Texts Dad: 'Just Get Me Out Of this School' ” --- "They call
me retard," the boy said. "They rip up my papers." Then this week,
after being jumped, he ran and locked himself in a bathroom stall,
texting his dad, "just get me out of this school." --- News On 6 ---
May 4, 2012 (OKLAHOMA)
http://is.gd/CS8XWT
32. “Autistic Boy's Oregon
Trip Investigated”--- Portland, Ore., police said Tuesday it was up
to social workers to decide what to do with a 10-year-old autistic
boy found riding a light-rail train by himself. Investigators
determined the boy discovered on a Portland ... ---
UPI.com
--- May 1, 2012 (OREGON)
http://is.gd/izUT9E
33. “Bullied Boy with Autism
Returns to School in Warren” --- A 7-year-old autistic boy whose
mother said he has been bullied and beaten up numerous times at
school, returned to classes today. Vanessa White, who said her son
Saun has been beaten up and bullied at least a dozen times this
year, was kept home from ... --- WYTV --- May 1, 2012 (PENNSYLVANIA)
http://is.gd/boDjfs
34. “North Texas Mom Accused
of Abusing Her Disabled Son” --- Parker County accused disabled boy
abusers, mother Gina Murasky (top L), Russell Herrick (top R), Jason
Harnsberger (bottom L), and Karen Horner (bottom R). North Texas
mother Gina Delynn ... --- CBS Local --- May 3, 2012 (TEXAS)
http://is.gd/i45jn7
35. “4 Adults Accused of
Physically Abusing Mentally Challenged Boy” ---
Murasky's son has been diagnosed as mentally retarded and reportedly
functions at a second-grade level, according to the CPS petition.
The four suspects gave investigators varying accounts about their
own and the others' roles in the boy's discipline, ... --- Fort
Worth Star Telegram --- May 2, 2012 (TEXAS)
http://is.gd/lMfkjq
36. “Special Needs Student
Tells Jurors in Patterson Murder Trial of Beating he ...” --- A
special needs student who was beaten so severely by Brandon
Patterson and another youth that he ended up in intensive care took
the witness stand Wednesday to tell jurors about the incident. The
student is now 20 years old and is living in a group ... --- Fort
Worth Star Telegram --- May 2, 2012 (TEXAS)
http://is.gd/vF17vC
37. “Mentally Disabled Vet
Abducted for Social Security Check” --- A mentally disabled man who
served in the Marines says he was taken for a ride by people trying
to steal his money. Terry Hoffpauir, 67, was admitted into the VA
Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in ... --- KHOU --- April 30,
2012 (TEXAS)
http://is.gd/x21RHj
38. “Trial Date Set for ETX
Woman Accused of Killing Mentally Challenged Person” --- Smith
County officials have set a court date for Kimberly Cargill, the
woman accused of murdering a mentally challenged woman. Cargill's
trial will begin on May 7 in the 241st District Court, according to
Smith County judicial records. --- KETK --- April 30, 2012 (TEXAS)
http://is.gd/Lxg8mX
39. “Being Bullied Tied to
Anxiety, Depression in Special-Needs Kids” --- Special-needs youth
with chronic medical conditions or developmental disabilities are at
risk for anxiety and depression if they're excluded, ignored or
bullied by other young people, a new small study says. --- U.S. News
& World Report --- April 29, 2012 (U.S. – NATIONAL)
http://is.gd/ddi5N4
40. “Patient Safety is
Addressed at LewisGale” --- A patient rape at the mental health
facility prompted changes in staffing and security measures. By
Sarah Bruyn Jones A rape at LewisGale Medical Center's mental health
facility last year exposed lapses in staffing and security that led
the hospital to ... --- Roanoke Times --- May 4, 2012 (VIRGINIA)
http://is.gd/M8WSUH
42. “Police Considering
Murder Charges After Handicapped Man Dies” --- A handicapped
Huntington man is dead, and Police are looking to charge his
attacker with murder. Otis Clay Junior died at Saint Mary's Medical
Center today. He was taken off life support earlier this week. ---
WOWK --- May 1, 2012 (WEST VIRGINIA)
http://is.gd/zcrRka
43. “VB Mother Claims
Special Needs Daughter was Dragged” --- VB mother claims special
needs daughter was dragged. --- WAVY TV (VIRGINIA) May 3, 2012
(VIDEO)
http://is.gd/nVIpmM
Seeking Improved Support
44. “Disabilities Coalition,
Sheriff Settle Suit” --- A settlement has been reached between the
Pueblo County Sheriff's Office and the Colorado Cross-Disability
Coalition. The CCDC sued the sheriff in Pueblo District Court last
month for not responding to a Colorado Open Records Act request for
copies of ... --- Pueblo Chieftain --- May 4, 2012 (COLORADO)
http://is.gd/Dyx9Dj
45. “Georgia Discriminates
against Deaf, Developmentally Disabled, Federal Judge Says” --- A
federal judge has found that Georgia is discriminating against
people who are deaf and developmentally disabled by denying them
access to services. US District Judge Richard Story said in a recent
ruling that the state has failed to ... --- Florida Times-Union ---
May 4, 2012 (GEORGIA)
http://is.gd/DBNdfr
46. “Audit Finds Special
Education Center Students Too Old” --- Pinecrest is a facility for
the developmentally disabled, but has been losing employees and
residents as Gov. Bobby Jindal and DHH Secretary Bruce Greenstein
move residents into community group homes and lay off state workers.
Besides being confined to ... --- Alexandria Town Talk --- May 3,
2012 (LOUISIANA)
http://is.gd/6h0WnY
47. “Judge Signs off on
Order Moving Young Mainers with Disabilities Out of Nursing Homes”
--- Young adults with disabilities will have more choices of where
to live after a judge signed off on an agreement this week that
settles a class-action lawsuit brought by the families of three
young men whose only option was to live in nursing homes. ---
Chicago Tribune --- May 3, 2012 (MAINE)
http://is.gd/kryqxY
48. “Psychiatric Patients
Often Wait Nearly 12 Hours in ER” --- Patients with mental health
emergencies wait an average of 11.5 hours -- nearly half a day -- in
hospital emergency departments, and those who are older, uninsured
or intoxicated wait even longer, a new study says. --- U.S. News &
World Report --- May 4, 2012 (MASSACHUSETTS)
http://is.gd/SGWLRu
49. “Garrettsville Health
Club Agrees to Pay $15,000 to Settle Disabled Woman's Discrimination
Case” --- A Portage County health club agreed Thursday to pay
$15,000 as punishment for revoking the memberships of a disabled
woman and another member. The owners of the Total Lifetime Care
Health & Fitness Club in ... --- Plain Dealer --- May 3, 2012 (OHIO)
http://is.gd/KJZRlG
50. “Intellectual Disability
Advocates Hold Huge Rally at Capitol” --- The Capitol Rotunda was
packed Wednesday afternoon for a rally in protest of proposed cuts
to programs for the mentally disabled. It was large and loud and
raucous. Chants of "No more cuts!" filled the dome as supporters
filled the stairway and steps. --- abc27 --- May 2, 2012
(PENNSYLVANIA)
http://is.gd/16njwD
51. “Cuts to Mental Health
Care Are Mentally Disturbing” --- Nearly 50 years ago Pennsylvania's
government made a fundamental promise relative to its role in
providing care for those with mental health problems. The state
gradually would close most of its mental health institutions but
earmark funds for less .. --- Towanda Daily Review --- April 29,
2012 (PENNSYLVANIA)
http://is.gd/WlXI7P
52. “Local Reaction to
Wisconsin Dropping 17,000 People from Medicaid” --- In a move that
will save Wisconsin about $28 million, the feds agreed on Friday to
approve state cuts to Medicaid. It's a downsized plan from the
original proposal that would have cut many more people ... --- WQOW
TV News 18 --- April 30, 2012 (WISCONSIN)
http://is.gd/n3agXr
53. “Report Shows Several
Mistakes in Wisconsin Child Protective Services” --- A published
report says child protection workers statewide have made numerous
mistakes that have led to children being hurt and even killed. A
review of state records by Gannett Wisconsin Media found counties
failed to meet state child ... --- Today's TMJ4 --- April 28, 2012
(WISCONSIN)
http://is.gd/HLijMi
54. “Anxiety: The Hidden
Disability That Affects One in Eight Children” --- This invisible
disability can greatly affect academic performance as well. Anxiety
impacts a student's working memory, making it difficult to learn and
retain information. The anxious student works and thinks less
efficiently, which significantly ... --- Huffington Post --- May 3,
2012 (U.S. – NATIONAL)
http://is.gd/SLL2lO
Proposed Legislation and New Laws
55. “Connecticut Lawmakers
Grant Final OK to Bill to Protect Disabled Renters; Now ... “ ---
Connecticut lawmakers have granted final passage of a bill that
would protect renters suffering from a long-term disability from
eviction. State Representatives voted 126-to-17 in favor of the
measure Friday evening, a week after it ... --- Torrington Register
Citizen --- May 5, 2012 (CONNECTICUT)
http://is.gd/zQBXYG
56. “Ohio Merging Mental
Health, Drug Abuse Agencies” --- State agencies providing
mental-health and substance-abuse services in Ohio will be merged
pending legislative approval. The administration of Gov. John Kasich
(KAY'-sik) says the merger will reduce bureaucratic clutter. ---
NECN --- May 5, 2012 (OHIO)
http://is.gd/JrKeUh
57. “Va. Congressman Introduces Autism Education Bill” --- … has just introduced legislation that would pay to train teachers to deal with autism. The AUTISM Educators Act (yes, like every other bill these days, this one has a “clever” acronym) would offer grants to train classroom teachers how to identify the ... --- Fredericksburg.com --- April 30, 2012 (VIRGINIA) http://is.gd/M64E0w
International Articles
58. “Disabled Crisis List
Soars to over 1,000” --- A total of 1,069 people with a disability
are on a critical waiting list waiting for support. Source: News
Limited more than 1,000 people are on a critical waiting list for
disability support services or accommodation - double the number
waiting three ... --- Adelaide Now --- May 3, 2012 (AUSTRALIA)
http://is.gd/HBE3OL
59. “Disabled Couple
Thrilled They'll be Able to Keep Their Baby” --- “Even disabled
people can have sex,” Wilton said with a laugh. Wilton shrugged off
concerns that because he and Palisoc have slurred speech that the
child won't be able to communicate with them as he grows up. “It's
just like learning a second language ... --- Toronto Star ---May 4,
2012 (CANADA)
http://is.gd/Gc9RSr
60. “Man in Wheelchair
Robbed in the Glebe” --- Ottawa police have charged an Ottawa man
with robbing another man who was in a wheelchair. Police say the
victim, in his 50s, was operating a motorized wheelchair in the 1100
block of Bank Street at about 3 pm Monday when he was accosted by
the accused ... ---
CBC.ca
--- May 3, 2012 (CANADA)
http://is.gd/nmXKxR
62. “Man Charged in Bank
Street Robbery of Man in Wheelchair” --- An Ottawa man facing is
facing charges after a man in a motorized wheelchair was robbed in
broad daylight on Bank Street. Clarence Momolu, 34, is charged with
robbery and breach of undertaking, ... --- Ottawa Citizen --- May 4,
2012 (CANADA)
http://is.gd/wPBFO1
63. “Police Probe Cistern
Death of Handicapped Man” --- Police have released little
information about the sudden death of a 38-year-old developmentally
disabled man who apparently fell into a cistern Sunday night. ---
Hamilton Spectator --- May 1, 2012 (CANADA)
http://is.gd/kWLKdL
64.
“ 'Report Disability Hate Crimes' ” --- People who suffer from
disability hate crimes in West Sussex are being encouraged to report
the offences. The Hate Incident Support Service has launched an easy
read form to encourage the reporting of such crimes, connected to
the victim's perceived or ... --- Lancashire Evening Post --- May 5,
2012 (ENGLAND)
http://is.gd/WRX3qh
65. “Birmingham City Council
Investigates Claims Vulnerable Disabled Man was Neglected by His
Carers” --- Detective Chief Inspector Richard Jones, from the Public
Protection Department, said: “West Midlands Police is to investigate
the circumstances surrounding the death of a 46-year-old disabled
man following allegations of neglect. --- Birmingham Mail --- April
29, 2012 (ENGLAND)
http://is.gd/g7D78n
66. “Man Who Cheated
Handicapped People Nabbed in Ahmedabad” --- … ---agency: DNA After
chasing him for more than a week, Karanj police have finally managed
to capture Babu Patel, a physically challenged person who allegedly
cheated 15 other handicapped persons. --- Daily News & Analysis ---
May 4, 2012 (INDIA)
http://is.gd/GZ9Y8q
67. “Locked by Mother,
Mentally-challenged Boy Freed” --- After spending five days in a
locked house, a 10-year-old mentally-challenged boy was on Thursday
freed after the intervention of his neighbours. Neighbours of the
boy, Pulli, called police after he was seen shouting for food from a
window of ... --- Zee News --- May 3, 2012 (INDIA)
http://is.gd/4o23mu
68. “Russia Ratifies UN
Convention on Rights of Disabled” ---“Ratification of the Convention
will provide additional safeguards to ensure, protect and promote
social and economic rights of the disabled, as well as serve as a
benchmark for further improvement of legal regulation and practice
in the field of ... --- RIA Novosti --- May 3, 2012 (RUSSIA)
http://is.gd/oiw74R
69. “ 'Disabled Not
Understood in Scotland' ” --- MORE than a quarter of Scots feel
disabled people exaggerate the extent of their physical limitations,
with around the same proportion believing they should accept they
cannot have the same life opportunities. A survey by the Multiple
Sclerosis Society ... --- Herald Scotland --- April 30, 2012
(SCOTLAND)
http://is.gd/3ec1wz
70. “Alleged Female Rapists
in Court” --- The case of two women accused of raping and sexually
assaulting two mentally challenged teenage boys was postponed in the
Protea Magistrate's Court yesterday. --- Citizen --- May 2, 2012
(SOUTH AFRICA)
http://is.gd/kVdsWj
|
