[blindkid] FW: [nfbsc] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Applauds National Council on Disability Report on Rights of Parents with Disabilities

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "Keith Wiglesworth" <hwiglesworth at carolina.rr.com>
To: <nfbsc at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [nfbsc] Fw: National Federation of the Blind Applauds National
Council on Disability Report on Rights of Parents with Disabilities
Date: 
Fri, 5 Oct 2012 12:00:53 -0400


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Freeh, Jessica 
To: Undisclosed recipients
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2012 10:29 AM
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Applauds National Council on
Disability Report on Rights of Parents with Disabilities


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org

National Federation of the Blind Applauds 
National Council on Disability Report 
on Rights of Parents with Disabilities
 

Baltimore, Maryland (October 5, 2012): The National Federation of the
Blind, the nation's leading advocate for the rights of blind Americans,
today applauded a recent report issued by the National Council on
Disability (NCD), an independent federal agency that advises the president,
Congress, and the federal government on disability policy,  highlighting
the discrimination faced by parents with disabilities.  The report,
entitled Rocking the Cradle: Ensuring the Rights of Parents with
Disabilities and Their Children, describes systemic discrimination against
parents with all kinds of disabilities, including blindness, by courts and
social service agencies in custody and child welfare proceedings.

 

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"The National Federation of the Blind has fought for custody and visitation
rights of blind parents repeatedly over the years, in both divorce
proceedings and cases brought by child protection agencies.  Blind people
often find their fitness as parents questioned solely on the basis of
blindness, and in some cases misconceptions about their capabilities result
in the children of blind parents being removed from their homes by the
state.  Situations like this are not only heart-wrenching for the parents,
but also violate federal law and their constitutional rights.  Furthermore,
by engaging in this discrimination, state officials responsible for the
protection of children may actually have an adverse effect on the welfare
of these children.  If parents with disabilities have cause to fear that
they will lose their children, then they may avoid seeking medical and
social services that they need.  We are saddened but not surprised to learn
from this comprehensive report that parents with other disabilities have
experienced discrimination as well, and in some cases had their parental
rights terminated solely on the basis of disability.  We will continue to
fight for the rights of blind parents, and to advocate for the needed
attitudinal and legal changes that will make discrimination of this kind a
thing of the past." 

 

In a recent case in Missouri, a newborn infant was taken from her parents
by social workers at the hospital solely because the parents were blind. 
The child was not returned to her parents for two months, during which they
were only allowed limited visitation and lived in fear that their parental
rights would be terminated.  

 

 

###

 

 

About the National Federation of the Blind

 

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is
the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in
the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. 

 

 


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