Category Archives: COVID-19

Kristi McGarity: The Disability Rights Case Against Mask Bans

In August 2024, Disability Rights New York filed a legal challenge to Nassau County’s Mask Transparency Act, a new law intended to deter hate crime by making it illegal for groups gathered in public to wear masks to hide their identity. The law allows exceptions for religious and cultural purposes and “to protect the health … Continue reading Kristi McGarity: The Disability Rights Case Against Mask Bans

Anita Cameron: Health Disparities and Medical Abuse: Why Blacks Shouldn’t Support Assisted Suicide

As the Juneteenth celebrations approach, it’s important to know and understand racial disparities in healthcare, the impact it has on the Black community and why Black people, particularly disabled people, must fight against doctor assisted suicide. There is a long and shocking history of medical abuse and experiments on the Black community,[1]fueled by racism and … Continue reading Anita Cameron: Health Disparities and Medical Abuse: Why Blacks Shouldn’t Support Assisted Suicide

Albany Times Union Op-Ed: Aid in Dying Act offers too few protections for the disabled

Aid in Dying Act offers too few protections for the disabled Melvyn R. Tanzman and Lisa Tarricone Jan. 12, 2022 As longtime disability rights advocates, we have seen our lives marginalized and devalued by the medical establishment. We agree with the principle of a right to self-determination; however, a balanced perspective of assisted-suicide legislation is … Continue reading Albany Times Union Op-Ed: Aid in Dying Act offers too few protections for the disabled

Matt Valliere On the Many Harms of Medical Quality of Life Judgments

On November 2, Newsweek published an excellent op-ed by Matt Valliere, Executive Director of the Patients Rights Action Fund (PRAF), entitled The Brutal, Tragic, Consequences of Quality of Life Judgements. Though PRAF’s mission is focused on opposing assisted suicide laws, the op-ed does an uncommonly good job discussing other discriminatory and harmful medical practices that … Continue reading Matt Valliere On the Many Harms of Medical Quality of Life Judgments

Wrongful Death & Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Filed In Michael Hickson Case

June 11, 2021 By: Andrés J. Gallegos, Jennifer M. Sender ROBBINS, SALOMON & PATT, LTD. SEEKS JUSTICE FOR MICHAEL HICKSON, FILES WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT AGAINST ST. DAVID’S SOUTH AUSTIN MEDICAL CENTER & ITS PHYSICIANS Robbins, Salomon & Patt, Ltd. (RSP) on June 10, 2021, filed a multi-count wrongful death lawsuit against St. David’s South Austin Medical Center … Continue reading Wrongful Death & Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Filed In Michael Hickson Case