Social Security Administration Agrees to Unprecedented Settlement re Discrimination Against Mentally/Developmentally Disabled Individuals

Excerpt from People with Disabilities Foundation: (click for entire article)

People with Disabilities Foundation (PWDF) has reached an unprecedented settlement with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in two cases alleging discrimination against mentally/developmentally disabled individuals, under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) which, unlike the ADA, applies to federal agencies; Terrence Davis v. Michael Astrue, Case No. 3:06-CV-6108 EMC (NC) and John Doe v. Michael Astrue, Case No. 3:09-CV-980 EMC (NC). After 5 years of litigation the parties have filed a final settlement agreement in U.S. District Court, now awaiting final approval from Hon. Edward M. Chen.
 
Plaintiffs Davis and Doe argued that the SSA continually, over the course of many years, discriminated against them by failing to effectively communicate regarding complex SSA rules. Both clients had their social security benefits terminated and or reduced to zero, but were not informed in a manner in which they could understand and respond, due to their psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities. Their impairments include chronic schizophrenia, cognitive and intellectual challenges, severe anxiety, depression, autism and functional illiteracy.

Comments

[Mary]

This is HUGE - Do you thing there is any hope the SSA will change it's practices at all because of this. This happens to people all over the country constantly - and it is those who aren't connected to a support network of family or friends or advocates who become homeless - a true national travesty. Hope some change comes from this!