The reality is that NYSUT filed the lawsuit because the regents violated the law when they modified the regulations dealing with teacher evaluation… laws trump regulations. And it’s more than just the percentage of the evaluation that will be governed by student state assessments. The Regents chose to violate other sections of the law as well.

The “culture of secrecy” works both ways. I was on duty as a residential aide when one resident took “weaker” resident behind the garage where he raped her. She was a woman not capable of consenting to such an act. I was ordered NOT to report it to the police.

Also, there is a “culture of permissiveness” where management enables violence by residents against staff and other residents.

Management in Albany has created a watered down and misleading name for the agency being discussed here. The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities is populated by a diverse group of people, many of them with dangerous mental conditions. A number of people are in secure institutional settings because their insanity was cause for not being able to stand trial for violent crimes. It is misleading to label such persons as developmentally disabled.

Is it Albany’s intention to throw a cloak over that segment of the population in order to facilitate the emptying of the facilities that now house them.

Why is that segment being ignored in the conversation?

Why are the acts of violence and sexual assaults against staff being ignored in the conversation?

Ms. Arbetter asks questions focused on the institution residents and reports of staff abuse against residents; Comm. Burke’s comments focused on the future, insurances to create non-institutional environments for ALL the currently institutional residents.

It sounds great and probably looks great on paper. But it sounds to me like “Albany” is wearing blinders, is not in touch with reality, or worse – just doesn’t care as long as the cost is reduced.

The cold reality is many people with disabilities have a variety of limits and needs yet we are still classified under one generic term, “Developmentally Disabled.” We unlike other minority groups often don’t have the economic or political clout. I had been in the workforce for 33 years. I was in an entry level position at a local hospital in Buffalo. Too often many of my peers have not had the same ability or opportunity afforded me. In tough economic times it easier to minimize the needs of the disabled. Ideally it would have been nice if you had a panel member from an independent living center to articulate these issues.

Thank you for your time. Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,
Pat Rowe