What about those with disabilities?

What about those with disabilities?

[This letter was published in the Cambridge Chronicle on November 13, 2007 online and November 15, 2007 in print.]

Mon Nov 12, 2007, 04:58 PM EST

Cambridge - It is proper that persons with disabilities who make up 20 percent
of the population have no elected officials to speak for their rights. As one
person of color said to me, “At least we are whole people.” That explains it;
persons with disabilities are only one-third of a person, or perhaps one-fourth.

Is that it? The Cambridge Chronicle indicates their priorities after my numerous
complaints written, spoken and on these blogs. Here is proof that it is easier
to break open a rock than a mind. (“Thumbs down to sameness,” editorial,
Cambridge Chronicle, Nov. 8). The editors do not even include persons with
disabilities in their list of excluded groups.

The reaction of others is that I should get a life. But when these fine,
upstanding people lament that no persons of color are on the School Committee,
it becomes a legitimate issue for discussion. Is this bigotry or what?

Most Cambridge residents believe that only persons of color are victims of
discrimination. Racism has been elevated to be the only form of discrimination
that merits attention of the journalists and the politicians.

But, surprise, discrimination against persons with disabilities is as illegal as
racism. Sorry to disappoint you all. It is only in the bigoted minds of these
concerned citizens that persons with disabilities are ignored and abused when
they object. Persons of color can be as bigoted as white racists when it comes
to persons with disabilities.

ROY BERCAW, Editor ENOUGH ROOM

[Blog entries]


Comments (2)
mf

2007-11-13T17:42:28

I had a grandfather that had disabilities but would NEVER allow anyone to say he
was disabled or handicap. My grandfather had one arm and no feet, yet he was a
firefighter, tree warden, hunter, fisherman, and raised a family. It is all in
the way you view yourself. If you view yourself as disabled, then you are
labeling yourself. My opinion is the only disabled person is the one who allow
the disability to rule their lives.

Roy Bercaw
2007-11-14T00:02:31
Dear MF,
Sorry to disappoint you but the law disagrees with your perspective. Of course
you are entitled to your opinion. But under city, state and US laws, the issue
is not how you see yourself, but how others see you. The issue is not whether a
person has a disability. The issue is whether he or she is being denied access
to government (city) services (e.g., protection from crime), access to public
accommodations, and access to employment and housing. You focus on the
disability. The issue is unlawful discrimination. Under the Americans with
Disabilities Act there is a specific statute which states that it does not
matter if a person actually has a disability. What matters is if the persons who
discriminates THINKS he or she has a disability. A large investment company was
fined about $2 million for ridiculing an employee who they said was homosexual.
He is heterosexual. But he was awarded the money for unlawful discrimination
based upon sexual preference. The same principle applies to di
sability. That is why many people are unable to support the laws. They don't
know them. Why should a persons be ashamed of having a disability? Because of
the stigma in other people's minds? As you say your grandfather was a
firefighter and ignored his disability. But that does not make it any less
illegal to discriminate. In the City of Cambridge there is pervasive unlawful
discrimination. You are just not paying attention.