- DRCNH In The News
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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
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
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”
April 28, 2007, Pierce Law Press Release: Pierce Law to Hold Second Annual Alumni New Hampshire Continuing Legal Education Program June 8
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
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 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 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
June 29, 2004, Concord Monitor: Local lawyer to share his expertise in Kabul. He will help Afghan attorneys think like defenders
Summer, 2004: Access New England newsletter: Voting Access
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
January 28, 2004: Concord Monitor: Survey Finds Accessibility Lacking at Polls
January 17, 2003, The Eagle Tribune: Lawyers: State Not Protecting Children
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
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 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
THE RAP SHEET
The Latest in Disability Research, Advocacy, Policy,
and Practice
A collaborative newsletter of the Disabilities Rights Center, the Institute on Disability and the Developmental Disabilities Council. To receive the RAP Sheet by mail, send your name and address to Julia Freeman-Woolpert.
Winter 2008: Whose Life is it Anyway? PDF Version Text Version
Fall 2007: Direct Care in the Granite State PDF Version Text Version
Summer 2007: The Right to Communicate PDF Version Text Version
Spring 2007: Home Sweet Home PDF Version Text Version
Winter 2007: Taking a Hard Look at Quality PDF Version Text Version
- A story about the poor quality of services didn't make it into the Rap sheet. Sean Magoon testified at the March 6 hearing about his son, Sean Jr.'s services through an Area Agency. The neglect of Sean's medical needs, and the indifference of QA and complaint investigators, almost cost him his life. Read his full testimony here.
Fall 2006: Back To School PDF Version Text version
Summer 2006: All You Need is Love PDF Version Text Version
Spring 2006: Taking a Stand - Making a Difference PDF Version Text Version
Winter 2006: Cracking the Job Market PDF Version Text Version
Fall 2005: Autism Spectrum Disorders PDF version Text version
Summer 2005: Welcoming and Accessible Communities PDF version - very large Text version
Spring 2005: Better Living Through Assistive Technology PDF version Text Version
Winter 2005: Mental Health Care in the Granite State, accessible PDF Version
Fall 2004: Getting Out The Vote, PDF
Fall 2004: Getting Out The Vote, text version
Summer 2004: Transition to Adulthood,
PDF 
Summer 2004: Transition to Adulthood, text
pdf version
Due to lack of space, two stories did not make it into
this issue. Read them here:
Clynton's story
Brian's story
Read the Concord Monitor article about Todd.
Sign up for DRCNH
NewsThe Disabilities Rights Center wants you to have access to the information you need to advocate for yourself, your family, and all people with disabilities. Bulletins go out by email once or twice a week and contain important information about disability rights issues: news, resources, training, publications, legislation,and updates on information available on the DRC's website.
To join the list, send an email to Julia Freeman-Woolpert asking that you be added to the list. Please add our domain to your safe senders list. Some servers identify the list as spam: if you don't receive emails, you may need to adjust your settings or contact your email host. Use the same email to remove your name from the list.
A sample bulletin:
September
10, 2007
Disabilities
Rights Center Bulletin
DRC News:
Suit: Hospital broke federal disability law. Employer says it tried to be flexible
Disabilities Rights Center Receives $100,000 Gift
These articles and other recent news can be found here: http://www.drcnh.org/news.htm
American
Psychological Association Report Challenges School Zero Tolerance
Policies and Recommends Restorative Justice
A report issued by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that
zero tolerance policies in use throughout U.S. school districts have not been
effective in reducing violence or promoting learning in school. The report
called for a change in these policies and indicated a need for alternatives,
including restorative practices such as restorative justice conferences. http://www.apa.org/ed/cpse/zttfreport.pdf
Parents
Guide to Helping Kids with Learning Difficulties
An interactive guide from SchwabLearning.org: http://schwablearning.org/ .
Thanks to Audrey Burke for this tip!
Human Services
Restraint: Replace, Reduce or Relinquish?
By David Ferleger: A history of restraint and seclusion, sources on risks and
efficacy issues, research on reduction efforts, legal analysis and predictions. http://ferleger.com/pdfs/Ferleger_Seclusion_article_PDF.pdf
Department
of Education’s Key Messages
The NH DOE sends out a monthly message, also archived here: http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/News/messages.htm.
News on NECAP, alternate assessment, trainings and workshops, rule changes,
RFPs, and more.
Children
with Diabetes in Schools
The American Diabetes Association has legal and advocacy resources on its website
concerning school discrimination. http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/discrimination/school.jsp
E-Sight
Careers Network
The cross-disability online community addressing disability employment issues.
A service of the Associated Blind, Inc. http://www.esight.org/
DRCNH News is brought to you by the Disabilities Rights Center of New Hampshire.
Messages go out once or twice a week. To be added or removed from the list,
email juliaf@drcnh.org. Feel free to
forward this message to anyone who can use the information.
Support DRC’s Activities
DRCNH News is just one of the many important activities that DRC undertakes to deliver information to consumers, their families, advocates, and professionals on rights, resources and current policy issues that affect individuals with disabilities. Your donation will help ensure that DRCNH News and the DRC’s other activities will continue. To make your secure online donation today, go to https://128bit.clickandpledge.com/default.aspx?ID=14970&cid=US&a= . Disabilities Rights Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Your donation is 100% tax deductible, subject to IRS rules and regulations.