This narrative describes the case of Richard Lapointe, a man with Dandy-Walker syndrome (a congenital brain malformation resulting in a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull), who was accused of homicide. The questionable practices of the police in acquiring a confession are recounted. The narrative discusses the court appeals process and…

1988-1989 legislative and social goals of the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) are outlined. Priorities focus on Medicaid reform, constitutional and civil rights, capital punishment and the criminal justice system, and staff compensation rates. Twenty additional goals in such areas as family support and tax reform are also…

This paper summarizes results of federal legislation and court litigation addressing special education issues. The first section considers cases in which rights were secured through litigation. These include rights of minority groups, rights of the mentally ill, rights of the mentally retarded, and the right to a fair classification. The second…

This document presents the 1989 Annual Statistical Report on the three major Program Activities of the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems, a federally funded agency designed to directly impact the delivery of state social, medical, and legal services to persons with disabilities. Data on the three programs--The Client…

Recent litigation indicates that physicians and institutions can be held financially liable for injuries resulting from the use of psychotropic drugs. Several cases have established guidelines regarding the use of pyschotropic drugs, involving: review of drug regimens; upkeep and review of written records; and prescription and administration of…

Presented is the final report of the Massachusetts Commission on Legal and Civil Rights of the Developmentally Disabled formed to investigate the civil rights problems of developmentally disabled citizens and to recommend and take action to correct the problems. It is noted that the report deals with the following areas: self-determination and…

A major development of the law in the 1970s has been the extension of the principle of egalitarianism to the developmentally disabled, particularly the mentally retarded. In recent years numerous judicial decisions have overruled the practices of school districts that have excluded developmentally disabled children from educational programs. This…