Editorial: Texas reforms are meaningless without accountability
July 11th, 2009Editors of the San Antonio Express-News say recently enacted reforms at the Texas institutions for people with intellectual disabilities won’t mean anything “unless the people in charge are actually held accountable.”
They say the “zero tolerance” policy requires a measure of physical harm before it holds employees accountable for abuse or neglect, and that is why at least 302 employees of state schools who had abuse or neglect cases confirmed against them remained on the job.
Considering that these are institutions for the mentally disabled, that’s a wholly inadequate measure. And given the results of a Department of Justice investigation in 2008 that uncovered widespread abuses and lapses in care that violated residents’ constitutional and statutory rights, it’s also irresponsible.
Residents of the state schools often lack the ability to speak up for themselves. They deserve decent care free from any abuse or neglect.
Zero tolerance for abuse and neglect should mean zero tolerance.
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on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at 9:31 am and is filed under Texas institutions, abuse, institutionalization.
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August 13th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Several of the advocates for people with developmental disabilities who first earned my respect and gratitude when my son was a baby discovered their calling while working as staff in institutions. Many thanks (and apologies) to those among the 98% of state workers who are undervalued but effective, humane and efficient caregivers — and too often the only advocates or ‘outside contacts’ for people relegated to institutional care.
August 12th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
It’s sad that when 2% of the state workers abused and neglected individuals the other 98% who work their butts off and take pride in their jobs have to suffer. Widespread abuses? What about the widespread love that i give out everyday at the state facility i work at?
95% of the individuals families don’t or can’t visit. So I am family to them. Some have family living less than ten minutes away and don’t even visit. Indeed the 2% of the workers need to be punished for misconduct, but don’t put the rest of us in their category. How fair is that. While im at work i’ll be the legs to those who cant walk. I’ll be the eyes to those who cannot see. Put that in your pathetic newspaper columns!!!!!! If you can talk about the bad, then you can talk about the good. But i forgot negative makes for a better story these days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!