Up to date press on the community mental health lawsuit can be found on this page.
May 1, 2013 Press Release: School-based approaches effective for children with disabilities and benefit all children, lawmakers learn
April 10, 2013, Concord Monitor: Disability advocates clear first hurdle in Phenix Hall lawsuit
January 7, 2013 News Advisory: DRC responds to NAMI call to action on mental health crisis
October 10, 2012, Press Release: DRC Board of Directors elects Paul Levy President, Joanne Malloy Vice President of Board
October 9, 2012, Business NH: Mental Health Musical Chairs
August 7, 2012, Press Release: Plaintiffs Reach Settlement with Concord Arts & Crafts, one of the Parties in the Phenix Hall Lawsuit
July 17, 2012, Press Release: NH Governor Candidates Forum on Disability Issues
May 23, 2012, NHPR: Disability Advocates Troubled by Bill
May 6, 2012, No place for "mentally defective" talk from lawmakers
By Kathryn Wallenstein, DRC Board member
April 12, 2012, Concord Monitor Op Ed by Michael Skibbie, DRC Policy Specialist: An unnecessary hardship: Voting bill would hurt those with disabilities
April 10, 2012, Letter in Concord Monitor from Richard Cohen, DRC Executive Director: Good news for folks with disabilities
April 10, 2012, Union Leader: Voter ID bill draws criticism
April 3, 2012, Union Leader: Official: Tests, not schools, are failing
February 19, 2012, AP: NH joins Idaho in new welfare limits for disabled
December 12, 2011, Mental Health Weekly: N.H. Officials Disagree with DOJ Charges of ADA, Olmstead Violation Advocates agree with the federal assessment of the state’s inability to provide adequate community services and supports for mental health consumers and cite litigation, if necessary.
December 10, 2011, Concord Monitor: Feds hit N.H. on mental health reply - Effort not enough, prosecutor says
December 10, 2011, Nashua Telegraph: Justice official says state AG’s claims about mental health treatment in NH ‘simply incorrect’
December 9, 2011, NHPR: Feds Blast NH Mental Health System
December 7, 2011, Concord Monitor: N.H. officials blast mental health critics Justice Department threatens lawsuit
December 12, 2011, Press Release: Disabilities Rights Center receives grant from Children’s Hospital Boston
December 1, 2011, WMUR: Report: Deaths Of 6 Disabled People In State Care Preventable Center Examines Care Of Disabled People Over Past Decade
November 30, 2011, Press Release: Disabilities Rights Center Releases White Paper and Urges Action to Address Conditions leading to Tragic Deaths in the Developmental Services System
September 25, 2011, Concord Monitor: Five police shootings, four mentally ill victims
September 16, 2011, Concord Monitor: Suit demands Main Street access
September 15, 2011, Concord Monitor: Disability advocates sue Concord developer, Bagel Works
September 14, 2011, Press Release: Disabilities Rights Center brings ADA Civil Rights Action on Behalf of Individuals with Physical Disabilities
May 6, 2011, Concord Monitor: Bill would let instructors employ "reasonable force"
April 14, 2011, Concord Monitor Opinion column by DRC Executive Director Richard Cohen : Return to the bad old days?
Life has improved for people with disabilities; budget puts that at risk
April 13, 2011, Concord Monitor: Lawmakers, advocates react to mental health suit threat:
Justice probe adds urgency to issues
March 26, 2011, Nashua Telegraph: Handicapped sign stays down for months
March 21, 2011, Concord Monitor: Despite proposals, no fix yet for The Works: Advocates, owner discussing access
March 15, 2011, Concord Monitor: Eugenics lawmaker resigns
January 24, 2011, Concord Monitor: Protesters decry cafe steps: Disabilities rights advocates call for accessibility
January 16, 2011, Concord Monitor: Developer, advocates meet over Phenix accessibility
December 30, 2010, Concord Monitor Op Ed by Richard Cohen, Esq., DRC Executive Director: Let's not forget what ADA is actually for: Phenix Hall should welcome everyone
December 26, 2010, Concord Monitor opinion by Betsy McNamara: Out of sight, out of mind: When a city is not accessible, those with disabilities are invisible
December 19, 2010, Concord Monitor: Advocates, landlord spar over access,
Phenix Hall work not ADA compliant
December 19, 2010, Concord Monitor op ed: Too many juveniles locked up, Policy harms children, wastes state resources, by Michael Skibbie, Ellen Fineberg, and Marilyn Mahoney
November 14, 2010, Foster's Daily Democrat: When caregivers no longer can: Parents face need to guard against old age, illness
October 5, 2010, Press Release: Disabilities Rights Center’s Investigation of the Sununu Center (formerly YDC) Finds Pervasive Pattern of Unnecessary and Excessive Force
July 28, 2010, Opinion: The Granite State just got a little less rocky for people with disabilities
July 27, 2010, Press Release: New Hampshire Enacts Legislation Restricting Restraint of Children in Schools and Treatment Facilities
July 26, 2010, Public News Service: ADA Turns 20: How Far Has NH Come?
July 15, 2010, Foster's Daily Democrat: Oyster River pays $50g settlement over early graduation
April 19, 2010, Concord Monitor: Cuts would send kids to new settings
Proposal shutters shelters for youth
March 17, 2010, Concord Monitor: Wait list for disabled may return
March 7, 2010, Nashua Telegraph: Ban Sought on Child Restraints
February 4, 2010, DRC Press Release: National Disability Rights Network Releases Follow-up Report on Seclusion Restraint in Schools; New Hampshire Senate Considering Legislation to Restrict Restraint of Children in Schools and Treatment Facilities
January 31, 2010, Concord Monitor: Special Ed Rule Change Questioned
January 25, 2010, Concord Monitor: Man: Disability Not Liability
January 7, 2010, Concord Monitor: HHS Changes Philbrook Policy, children won't be housed with adults
January 6, 2010, NHPR: HHS Indefinitely Suspends Transfer of Young Patients to New Hampshire Hospital
December 18, 2009, NHPR: HHS Opens Investigation into New Hampshire Hospital Policy
December 17, 2009, Concord Monitor letter from Richard Cohen:Important Changes for Troubled Youth
December 16, 2009, Concord Monitor: Rights group questions children's care
September 30, 2009, Concord Monitor: History highlights disability rights
August 14, 2009, NH Bar News: The Dignity of Risk: the NH Supreme Court’s Affirmation Of the Right to Live a Life of One’s Own Choosing
August 10, 2009, Foster's.com: New NH Law Enhances Access for Disabled
August 5, 2009 Press Release: New Law Provides for a Certification Process and Judicial Enforcement To Ensure that Newly Constructed or Altered Buildings are Accessible to Citizens with Physical Disabilities
June 13, 2009, Concord Monitor: Supreme Court sides with sidewalk activist
June 12, 2009, Laconia Citizen: Town loses ADA case
June 11, 2009 Press Release: New Hampshire Supreme Court Issues Decision in William Tinker’s Sidewalk Access Case
April 19, 2009, Concord Monitor: Challenging the system: Woman fought back after she was removed from chosen family
April 13, 2009, Nashua Telegraph: State must pay up over disability litigation
April 10, 2009 Press Release: NH Supreme Court AFFIRMS the Rights of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
March 18, 2009, NHPR: Families on Disabilities Wait List Protest Budget Cuts
February 20, 2009, Concord Monitor: Boy abused in state care, advocate says
February 13, 2009, NHPR: Major Changes for HHS in Governor's Budget
February 6, 2009, Concord Monitor: Unlikely ally for DNA bill
February 5, 2009, WMUR: Disabilities Rights Group Alleges Mistreatment At Youth Facility
February 5, 2009, Press Release: Disabilities Rights Center Finds Sununu Center (formerly YDC) Employees Abused and Employed Unnecessary and Excessive Force Against a 14-year old with Emotional Disabilities
October 19, 2008, Concord Monitor: Ruling may mean town has to plow sidewalks
October 8, 2008: Supreme Court issues decision in William Tinker's sidewalk access case
October 5, 2008, Concord Monitor, Experts watch new disabilities act warily: Revised law extends the law's protection
September 27, 2008, Concord Monitor, Servers want input from disabled
September 23, 2008, Concord Monitor: City hospital settles discrimination suits, Two employees filed under disabilities act
September 1, 2008, Concord Monitor editorial: Restaurant was right to apologize to Pierson
August 30, 2008, Concord Monitor letter to the Editor from Richard Cohen, DRC Executive Director: Clear Discrimination
August 21, 2008, Concord Monitor: Here's to respect and vindication: Denied beer, disabled man gets apology
August 17, 2008, Concord Monitor: Without Interpretation: Deaf father seeks state's help to keep attending AA meetings
August 15, 2008, New Hampshire Bar News: DRC Launches Fundraising Effort, by Richard A. Cohen
March 11, 2008, Concord Monitor: Stop Signs to be installed for blind teen
February 9, 2008, Concord Monitor: Suing for safe passage: City has refused to add stops for blind teen
January 14, 2008, Concord Monitor: Blind voters: We were slighted
January 2008, New Hampshire Challenge: Wait list survives until after next election
January 7, 2008, Foster's Daily Democrat: Catching a lift to the polls: Rides to voting locations available for seniors, disabled residents
December 27, 2007, Manchester Union Leader: State dragged feet on Medicaid decision
December 26, 2007, Press Release: Individuals with Disabilities Settle Class Action – New Year Brings Promise of Timely Decisions on Medicaid Applications
December 14, 2007, Editorial from Richard Cohen: NH’s Lack of Action and Leadership in Addressing its Deteriorating Community Mental Health System
December 4, 2007, DRC Press Release: Two attorneys join the Disabilities Rights Center
November 13, 2007, Foster's Daily Democrat: Signs are a start to Barrington acting on accessibility issue at Town Hall
October
14, 2007, Seacoast Online: Special Ed parents lobby for their rights
September
22, 2007, Concord Monitor: For disabled, the wait just got shorter:Lynch
signs bill adding services for 350
September
19, 2007, Foster's Daily Democrat: Barrington informed on lack of ADA
compliance
September 10, 2007, Concord Monitor: Suit:
Hospital broke federal disability law. Employer says it tried to be flexible
September 7, 2007, NH Bar News: Disabilities
Rights Center Receives $100,000 Gift
August 21, 2007, DRC Press Statement on
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4
August 21, 2007, New Hampshire State Senate
News Release: Senator Paul Hodes pledges to fight for more special ed
money
August 11, 2007, Laconia Citizen: Man challenges ADA sidewalk ruling
July 27, 2007, Concord Monitor: Aide
convicted of stealing cards: He was hired to care for his disabled victim
July 25, 2007, NHPR: HHS Commissioner
John Stephen to Step Down; Lawmakers Mixed on His Accomplishments
July 25, 2007, Concord Monitor: Next chief
will inherit heavy load
July 24, 2007, Concord Monitor: Stephen
will step down as health chief : He and Lynch had clashed repeatedly
June 29, 2007, DRC Press Release: Amy
Messer chosen as Disabilities Rights Center’s Legal Director
June 13, 2007, Concord Monitor: Suing
over the sidewalks, Man wants paths cleared for scooter
June 7, 2007, Concord Monitor: Panel may
protect disabled
June 6, 2007, DRC Press Release: Donna
Woodfin/Disabilities Rights Center Scholarship awarded
June 4, 2007, DRC Press Release: DRC receives
grant from the New Hampshire Bar Foundation
May 31, 2007, Laconia Citizen: Judge hears
testimony in accessibility case
May 23, 2007 DRC Press Release: Ronald
Lospennato, Disabilities Rights Center’s Legal Director, Resigns
to Take Position at Southern Poverty Law Center
May 3, 2007, Concord Monitor: Stats
suggest 'crisis in special education',
Graduation and test score gaps examined
May 2, 2007 Commentary in Foster's Online
by Richard A. Cohen and Michael Cohen: Terrifying
responses to a horrible tragedy
May 2, 2007, Concord Monitor: Senators
aim to end wait list in three years, More services sought for disabled
adults
May 1, 2007, Nashua Telegraph: Dropout
Rate High Among Disabled
May 1, 2007, Boston.com news: Dropout
Rate High for Disabled Students
May 1, 2007, Manchester Union Leader: Advocates Make Case for Disabled Students
April 30, 2007, Press Release: Half
of New Hampshire Students with Disabilities are Dropping Out; Legislature
Considering Bills to Address “Crisis in Special Education”
February 21, 2007, Foster's Online: Stephen
pledges to find way to end wait list
February 17, 2007, Concord Monitor: Bills
Would Shorten Wait for Disability Services
February 2, 2007, Foster's Online: Suit:
DHHS failed to provide Medicaid disability benefits
January 23, 2007, The Citizen of Laconia: Tinker files ADA lawsuit
January 7, 2007, Seacoast Online: Chief
justice makes pro bono plea to lawyers
December 18, 2006 Press Release: The
Rolling Gourmet Launches New Initiative with Quality of Life Grant from
Christopher Reeve Foundation
December 8, 2006, Press Release: Central
Registry Abuse and Neglect Task Force Issues Final Report
November 28, 2006, Boston.com: Bill would
speed services to developmentally disabled
November 28, 2006, Concord Monitor: Plan
may reduce wait for services: Legislative proposal would cost $16 million
September 27, 2006, Institute on Disability
Press Release: Study: Children With Disabilities In New Hampshire Face
A Challenging Future
July 7, 2006, New Hampshire Bar Association
Morning Mail: Lex
Loci Comment Stereotypes People
with Mental Illness, by Richard
Cohen and Michael Skibbie
June 15, 2006, NHPR: The Continuing Challenge
of Deinstitutionalization
June 7, 2006, Concord
Monitor: letter
to the editor by Richard A. Cohen: Time to act on mental health report
May 28, 2006, Concord Monitor: N.H.
Hospital holds some who could go: draft report outlined in 2004
April 5, 2006, Concord Monitor: State
may track adult caregivers: Database could reveal workers who abuse
March 27, 2006, Press Release: LEGAL
VICTORY FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING: Disabilities Rights Center
Concludes Lawsuit Against Hospital for Failure to Provide Interpreter
Services
March 3, 2006, NHPR: Tilton
Group Home Blaze Raises Oversight Questions
February 20, 2006, Press Release: NH Supreme Court
Affirms Freedom Rights of People with Mental Illnesses
October 31, 2005, Press Release: Ronald
Lospennato, Legal Director of the Disabilities Rights Center, to
volunteer in Louisiana to protect the rights of people with disabilities
October 28, 2005, Nashua Telegraph: Disabled
suing for home-based care
October 20, 2005, Nashua Telegraph: Budget
gaffe will end up costing state education officials $500k
October 14, 2005, Portsmouth Herald: State
ordered to pay back misused funds
2005, Portsmouth Herald: Misused
funds expose budget process failure
October 14, 2005, Rutland Herald: Advocates
Say Money Misspent
October 13, 2005 Press Release: US
Dept of Education Orders State DOE to Pay Back $441,167 (with interest)
For Illegal Diversion of Federal Special Education Funds
Fall 2005 NH Challenge:
August 18, 2005: Carroll County Independent: Consolidation
of agencies starts smoothly
August 4, 2005: Carroll County Independent: Center
of Hope Battle Resumes
July 28, 2005: NHPR: The
Americans with Disabilities Act at 15
July 26, 2005: Concord Monitor: Project
to track eatery accessibility: An online guide will provide rankings
July 26, 2005: NHPR news article:
Americans with Disabilities Act Turns 15
July 8, 2005, Manchester Union
Leader: Stephen can merge disabled services
May 24, 2005: Op-Ed by Richard
Cohen on reasonable accommodations legislation
February 2, 2005, Concord
Monitor: Coverage for hearing aids sought: Bill would require
insurance to pay
December 7, 2004,
Concord Monitor: Analyst blasts Medicaid plan: Policy expert
says public left in dark
December 2004, Manchester Union Leader: Department
of Education investigating potential mishandling by the State of
New Hampshire of grants and funds for special education services
November 24, 2004, Concord
Monitor: Diversion of special-ed money challenged: State used
it to help pay for achievement tests
November 5, 2004, NHPR: A Lawyer in a
Strange Land an interview with MIchael Skibbie, DRC Policy Specialist, about his
work in Afghanistan and his recent report on the treatment of children
with disabilities in NH courts
October 27, 2004: Manchester
Union Leader Report: 70% at YDC have some kind of disability
October 27, 2004 Press Release: Disabilities
Rights Center to Assist With Enforcement of Mental Health Treatment
at Prison
October 26, 2004, UNH Media Relations: UNH
Study Examines Disabilities and Delinquency
October 20, 2004, Nashua Telegraph: School
OKs copying tape of scuffle
October 18, 2004: Concord
Monitor: Disabilities Advocates Want Voices Heard
October 17, 2004: Concord
Monitor: Looking Out For Inmates
October 14. 2004: Concord
Monitor: Benson Ad Spurs Outcry: Endorsing disabilities activist
on his payroll
October 13, 2004: Concord Monitor:
Letter to the Editor: False Advertising, Richard Cohen
September 5, 2004: Foster's Online: Court rules
against N.H. girl who sued the Girl Scouts
August 22, 2004: Nashua Telegraph: Cuts
in N.H. mental health program will be detrimental to kids, adults
August 2, 2004: Concord Monitor: Guide
dog users sue cab company: They say drivers wouldn't allow dogs
July 21, 2004: Concord Monitor: Man
wants crosswalk on Manchester Street: Legally blind resident says
trying to cross is dangerous for everyone
June 29, 2004, Concord Monitor: Local
lawyer to share his expertise in Kabul. He will help Afghan attorneys
think like defenders
March 31, 2004, Boston.com: Judge won't
pick sides yet in lawsuit seeking home care for brain disorder residents
March
21, 2004: Foster's Sunday Citizen: At Age 21, Persons with Disabilities
Often Lose Services
February 25, 2004:
Concord Monitor: Court: Student not entitled to tuition: Parents
wanted district to pay for special school
January 28, 2004: Concord
Monitor: Survey Finds Accessibility Lacking at Polls
November 24, 2003:
Concord Monitor: Every Score Counts - Unfairly, to Some. testing
mandates spotlight schools' disability hurdles
November
17, 2003: Foster's/Citizen Online: Litchfield family with disabled
son faces loss of care from state budget cuts
November 13, 2003:
Concord Monitor: Disabled children's fund to get audit: Program
supporters worried families will pay price
May 22, 2003, Press Release: Disability
Access Issue Settled for Three Filene's Stores in New Hampshire
January
17, 2003, The Eagle Tribune: Lawyers: State Not Protecting Children
January
2003, Press Release: Judicial protection sought for
abused and neglected children: Plaintiffs in Eric L. class-action lawsuit ask
federal court to order New Hampshire to make reforms it agreed to 5½ years
ago
October
4, 2002, The Hampton Union: DCYF May End Up in Federal Court
September 20, 2002, NH Bar News: Richard
Cohen Named to Head Disabilities Rights Center
September
18, 2002, NHPR News: State Refuses to Hire New DCYF Workers
September 17, 2002, Seacoast Online: DCYF
is under a microscope
September
16, 2002, NHPR News: Report Finds DCYF Wanting
September
15, 2002: Oversight Panel Issues Report on DCYF's Compliance
in Fourth Year of Five Year Settlement Agreement
January
18, 2002, NHPR News: Disabilities Rights Center Files Suit Against
NH
November 30, 2001, Concord Monitor: Disabled
people see case as ticket home
February
9, 2001, Inclusion Daily Express: Restaurant Chain Sued for Discriminating
Against Worker with Mental Retardation
February 7, 2001, NHPR: Retarded Worker
Alleges Harassment
October 9, 2000, Boston Globe: Changes
due in special ed raise fears some foresee downgrading under US laws
May 28, 1989, New York Times: Court Rules Schools Must
Take All Disabled |
