All articles tagged with #disability rights
The CDC is bypassing traditional processes to grant temporary telework accommodations for employees with disabilities due to new HHS policies that restrict such accommodations, leading to concerns about legal compliance and employee rights, especially amid a backlog of cases and staff reductions.
Fifty years after the signing of the law that established special education rights for children with disabilities, concerns are rising that recent federal staff cuts and policy shifts under the Trump administration threaten to undermine these protections and revert to a pre-1975 era of discrimination and exclusion.
The article discusses the ongoing crisis of long COVID in the US, criticizing RFK Jr.'s actions that have undermined research and support for long COVID patients, and highlighting the broader systemic issues of healthcare inequality, disinformation, and the historical neglect of disabled and chronically ill populations. It emphasizes the importance of collective activism and justice in addressing these issues and calls for support for independent journalism.
The article highlights the struggles of disabled Americans like Carrie Madden, who rely on Medicaid-funded in-home care to live independently, and raises concerns about potential cuts to these services that could threaten their autonomy and well-being.
Rachelle Chapman, paralyzed from the chest down after a pool accident at her bachelorette party, shares her journey of resilience, including her marriage, motherhood via surrogacy, friendship changes, and recent health issues related to pregnancy attempts, emphasizing that a fulfilling family life is possible despite disability.
A new federal rule aimed at improving airline support for travelers with wheelchairs has been delayed and challenged in court by major airlines, raising concerns among disability advocates about the safety and reliability of air travel for disabled passengers.
The Biden administration plans to phase out a program allowing employers to pay disabled workers less than minimum wage, fulfilling a campaign promise and likely sparking legal and political challenges. The Labor Department's proposed rule would stop issuing new certificates for subminimum wages and phase out existing ones over three years.
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle has called for stricter penalties to curb the abuse of airport wheelchair services, citing significant misuse that leads to increased costs and delays for those genuinely in need. This issue has been echoed by other industry leaders, who note that some travelers exploit the service to fast-track through airports. While there are legitimate reasons for varying wheelchair needs, the challenge remains in addressing abuse without penalizing those with invisible disabilities.
Normand Meunier, a quadriplegic man, developed a severe bedsore after a 4-day ER stay without access to a special mattress, leading him to choose medical assistance in dying. His partner advocated for the mattress, but it had to be ordered. Meunier's experience highlights the lack of proper care for vulnerable patients in the health-care system, prompting demands for an independent inquest into his death and highlighting the need for better support for people with disabilities.
Paul Alexander, a polio survivor who lived in an iron lung for over 70 years, has passed away at the age of 78. Paralyzed from the neck down after contracting polio at the age of 6, Alexander became a lawyer, author, and an inspiration to many. His death was announced by a disability-rights advocate who had interviewed him. Polio, a highly infectious viral disease, mainly affects children under 5 and can lead to paralysis. With the introduction of the polio vaccine in the 1950s, efforts to eradicate the disease have been successful, leading to a drastic reduction in cases. Iron lungs, once used to aid polio patients' breathing, have largely been replaced by modern ventilators.
Paul Alexander, who lived most of his life in an iron lung after contracting polio at a young age, has passed away at 78. Despite his paralysis, he graduated from law school, wrote a memoir, and became an activist for disability rights. Alexander's unique breathing technique allowed him to lead a relatively active life, representing clients in court and attending protests. He chose not to undergo invasive surgery and continued living in the iron lung, becoming one of the last people to do so. His inspirational story garnered widespread attention, and he was recently recognized by Guinness World Records as the "longest iron lung patient."
Paul Alexander, known as "the man in the iron lung," has passed away at the age of 78. A polio survivor, he spent over 70 years in the iron lung after being paralyzed from the neck down at the age of 6. Despite his condition, he pursued education, became a lawyer, and published a memoir. A fundraiser for his healthcare needs helped him live his final years stress-free.
A Black, Deaf worker at Google is suing the company for discrimination, claiming that the tech giant has not provided adequate accommodations for her disability. Other disabled employees have also raised concerns about Google's treatment of them, including issues with interpreter services and accessibility of internal tools. The worker, who remains at a level 2 position after more than three years, has started a community for Black Deaf individuals at Google and has faced challenges in conducting research for the responsible AI team due to technical issues with Google Meet.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has announced a proposed rule from the Department of Transportation to ensure airline passengers who use wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity. The rule would set new standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities, mandate enhanced training for airline employees, and specify actions airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged during transport. The proposed rule also aims to make it easier for the DOT to hold airlines accountable for mishandling wheelchairs. Additionally, the rule seeks comments on issues such as lavatory size standards and reimbursement of airfare difference for wheelchair users.
The Biden Administration has proposed new rules to improve how airlines handle wheelchairs and accommodate passengers with disabilities, aiming to hold airlines more accountable for mishandling wheelchairs and provide better training for employees who assist passengers with disabilities. While disability advocates have largely welcomed the proposed rule, some express disappointment over its limitations and call for more clarity on training and prompt assistance definitions.