The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 5,000 Americans are diagnosed with ALS (or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) every year. The debilitating and progressive illness robs individuals of their work life and career, causing muscle weakness; stiffness in the hands, feet, legs and…
Tag: Disabilities
DC Court Overturns FDA Ban on Electric Shock Therapy for Disabled Individuals, Allowing Controversial Procedure in Massachusetts
Despite an ongoing ban on the use of electric shock devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to “correct” behavior on the developmentally disabled, a D.C. Circuit court has ruled that a medical institution in Massachusetts can continue to use the controversial treatment on its patients, becoming the only…
Advocates Campaign for April to Become ‘Autism Acceptance Month’
April has been designated as “Autism Awareness Month” in the U.S. for nearly 50 years. But instead of just promoting awareness of the complex, lifelong developmental disability, advocates with the Autism Society of America (ASA) are now pushing for a change in the month’s name, turning it into a month…
Ford Unveils Clear N95 Masks Designed to Improve Communication During Pandemic
In a boon not just for the fight against COVID-19 but also for individuals with hearing problems or those who rely on reading lips to communicate, Ford Motor Co. has announced they are ramping up production of clear face masks with N95-level filtration — the level most helpful in controlling…
More Than 80% of Doctors Hold Biased Views on Patients With Disabilities, New Study Reveals
One would think that doctors would be among the most caring and supporting of patients with disabilities, but a new study from Health Affairs has revealed that more than 80% of doctors harbor at least somewhat negative attitudes towards the quality of life people with disabilities are able to achieve….
Waiting Period for Government Benefits Dropped for People Living With ALS
In a major win for disability rights advocates, individuals who are diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease will no longer have to wait five months before becoming eligible to receive benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. According to NPR reporter Michelle Andrews, once…
Media Coverage of Kamala Harris Still Shockingly Sexist and Racist; Increased Challenges for Transgender Individuals at the Polls; and More
Media coverage of Kamala Harris still shockingly sexist and racist. Talk of her winning debate performance is making all the headlines now, but when Kamala Harris was first announced as Joe Biden’s vice presidential pick, a stunning 25% of the coverage of her historic candidacy included either sexist or racist…
Goodwill Industries to Pay $65,000 to Settle Disability Discrimination Suit
Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. touts its hiring of people with disabilities, but recently settled a workplace discrimination lawsuit for $65,000. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) brought the lawsuit against Goodwill and announced Monday that the two groups had settled. According to…
During Suicide Prevention Week, People of Color’s Mental Health Struggles Cannot be Forgotten
National Suicide Prevention Week runs from Sept. 8–14 to raise awareness about suicide and the resources available to help those struggling with mental health crises. However, certain demographics seem to consistently slip through the cracks of mental health education, advocacy and care. People of color in the United States suffer…
From Goodwill to the Salvation Army: Evaluating the Ethics of some of America’s Best-Known Charities
Last year when Change.org’s petition to stop Goodwill Industries from exploiting its workers with disabilities entered the spotlight, the public was confused as to why an 80-year-old law which allowed the practice still governed an organization claiming to do charitable work. However, Goodwill is not the only so-called charity that…