Disability-related research remains a complicated topic/ Michal Jarmoluk viaPixabay
This week’s news gathering includes Trump’s actions moving towards institutionalizing disabled people, autism research studies and autistic people being afraid of how scientists approach this it, and the depression diagnosis for a congressman that required him to step away for months.
Trump’s actions signal a move toward institutionalizing people with disabilities, advocates warn
Annie Ma, Associated Press
This story is about Disabled people losing their rights to live in community and Disabled children losing their rights to receive a proper education due to actions taken by the Trump administration, including changes to the Department of Education and an executive order aimed at the unhoused.
All of these actions are concerning advocates because they see these changes as violating Disabled people’s freedoms. Of particular concern is Robert F. Kennedy Junior, head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and his approach to disabilities like autism. According to the article, removing children from the mainstream classrooms, something that still happens in many of America’s classrooms, and institutionalizing them will not help them grow.
From the story: “I can’t imagine that as a country, that would be something that we would agree we should go back to.” — Selene Almazan, legal director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
Autistic people aren’t afraid of genetic research – they are afraid of what scientists might do with it
Samuelle Fajutrao Falk, The Conversation
This story is about autistic people not trusting scientists to conduct proper genetic research when it comes to autism. Although they want genetic research, they are afraid of the emphasis being on a fix or cure autism of. According to the article, written by a researcher from Sweden’s largest medical research university it’s not just the outcome of autism-focused research that concerns the autistic community, but also the process of how autistic people will be treated during the research process. The piece highlights that many autistic people don’t want to have their disability removed or treated as if it is a bad sickness or unwanted disease. What advocates do want is for research to be conducted on how to improve the livelihoods of autistic people.
From the story: “When people start checking fetal genes to eliminate all deviations, it is honestly eugenics … If this discussion existed about any other group of people, everyone would call it Nazi ideas and say no thanks.” — research autistic study participant
After mysterious four-month absence, GOP congressman arrives back on Capitol Hill
Nina Giraldo & Sarah Ferris, CNN
This article is about Republican New Jersey congressman Tom Kean Jr. He left his job for a four month leave because of his depression diagnosis. He thought he would leave his job for a couple of weeks, but this led to months. He made a speech on the House floor saying he wanted to be transparent with his constituents. However, Kean Jr. has come under fire for benefitting from supports that he has repeatedly voted against.
For more reporting on this issue from DJA, click here.
From the story:
“Clearly, I wish him the best, but it is his job also to be transparent with his community and there has been no clarity about why he has been gone so long n.” — Suzan Delbene, House Democratic campaign chief
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