In the USA, the world of deaf and disabled persons before 1960 was difficult. Deaf and disabled persons routinely suffered discrimination in education, employment, and society. Deaf people were dumped into mental institutions simply because they were deaf. Often, they were kept there till they died. State governments would sterilize people because they had mental or emotional disabilities. Then, starting in the 1960's, the laws of this country began to change. First, Public Law 94-142 that said children with disabilities had an equal right to the same education as non-disabled children.(That law is now known as IDEA, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.) Then, the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 (Law 504) banned discrimination in government against people with disabilities. Finally, in 1990, the Congress passed and the President signed the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, which promised equal rights for deaf and disabled people in this country. In 1993, Joseph Shapiro wrote a wonderful book, NO PITY, which told the story of this movement into a "new world" of equal dignity for people with disabilities. Out of all that came a huge improvement of technologies to assist this community. Now, it seems, there is a different "new world" the deaf and disabled community is facing.
First, there are politicians running for office, nationally and in states, who talk about "scaling back", "reducing the power" of the ADA. These politicians blame the ADA for costing business too much money and that these people will "save" money by making the ADA rules weak.
Second, a number of states have drastically reduced support for programs that benefit people with disabilities. Mental health services, substance abuse services, counseling services have had millions of dollars slashed from their budgets. In addition, we see children with severe mental health problems and other disabilities being dumped into inadequate and even dangerous programs in order to "save money." By doing this, these governments guarantee that we will have to take care of these victims for the rest of their lives!
In addition, governments - state, county, city - do not hire people with disabilities. In the State of Illinois, the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is supposed to investigate abuse of children, including families where there are deaf people. In the entire state of Illinois, DCFS does not employ one - 1! - investigator who is deaf, who can effectively communicate with these families!
Third, school districts are making it harder and harder for parents of children with disabilities to get needed services. Very few of these districts are willing to hire teachers with disabilities to work with these children, or any children! Have you seen,in your school district, any teachers in wheel-chairs, teachers who are deaf?
The "new world" facing the disability/deaf communities in the USA is very threatening. Deaf and disabled persons, and their families, could lose much of what has been gained over the last 40 years. What can people do?
1 Any person running for U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, U.S.SENATOR, U.S. PRESIDENT(the primaries will begin soon), must answer one question: "Do you sir/madam fully support the ADA and IDEA laws of this country, and will you not allow them to be weakened?"
2 People with disabilities must try to get more jobs in government positions: city, county, state, and federal. Having people with disabilities in these positions is very important. If a person with a disability applies and is turned down, that person cannot give up. That person needs to get the Office of Civil Rights to investigate why he/she did not get that job.
3 Parents must continue to resist any attempts by school districts to cut back on services to their disabled son/daughter/grandchild.The IEP process gives parents many rights they do not know they have. It is especially important for parents to make sure their children get whatever counseling services they need.
4 If someone in your family needs mental health, substance abuse counseling and you are told, "there are no funds"...you immediately contact your STATE REPRESENTATIVE/STATE SENATOR. These people can make a phone call and get the needed services. If that person refuses or says he/she cannot help you, resolve to do everything possible to vote that politician out of office as soon as possible.
The "new world" of 2010 for people who are deaf and disabled and their families is a difficult one. The risks and threats are very real, and will not go away unless people are willing to act.