NCJ Number
68417
Date Published
1979
Length
902 pages
Annotation
THE SECOND OF A THREE-VOLUME SET, THIS BOOK IS A COMPENDIUM OF ARTICLES DEALING WITH THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF MENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS. IT WAS COMPILED AS A REFERENCE FOR A SPECIALIZED LEGAL TRAINING COURSE.
Abstract
PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ISSUES REGARDING THE BASIC RIGHTS OF THE EMOTIONALLY HANDICAPPED IS DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. ADVOCACY EFFORTS IN THE LAST DECADE HAVE RESULTED IN COURT RULINGS AIMED AT ERADICATING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THIS POWERLESS AND DISADVANTAGED GROUP AND ACCORDING MENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS THE SAME RIGHTS AND DIGNITY AS OTHER CITIZENS. THE SEMINARS FOR WHICH THIS COURSEBOOK WAS PREPARED ARE DESIGNED FOR ATTORNEYS WHO ARE OR WISH TO BECOME A PART OF THE GROWING NETWORK OF LEGAL ADVOCATES FOR MENTALLY DISABLED CLIENTS. THE MATERIALS, IN OUTLINE-ESSAY FORM, REPRESENT OPINIONS OF LEADING PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD OF MENTAL DISABILITY LAW. ARTICLES COVER ALL THE MAJOR RIGHTS AREAS; IN ADDITION, THE VOLUMES CONTAIN MODEL COMPLAINTS, BRIEFS, STATUTES, AND OTHER LEGAL SOURCE MATERIALS SUCH AS RECENT SLIP OPINIONS. CONTINUING THE TOPICAL OUTLINE BEGUN IN VOLUME ONE, THIS SECOND VOLUME CONTAINS SECTIONS FIVE AND SIX ENTITLED, RESPECTIVELY, 'OTHER RIGHTS IN INSTITUTIONS' AND 'RIGHTS IN THE COMMUNITY.' ISSUES CONCERNING RIGHTS IN INSTITUTIONS INCLUDE REGULATING TREATMENT DECISIONS FOR CIVILLY COMMITTED PERSONS, PATIENTS' RIGHT TO REFUSE TREATMENT, PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS, AND OTHER TYPES OF HAZARDOUS TREATMENT. A STATE SURVEY OF THE RIGHTS OF DISABLED PERSONS IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES IS PROVIDED. THE TOPIC OF COMMUNITY RIGHTS ENCOMPASSES EDUCATIONAL ISSUES, PROGRAMS, AND MATERIALS; COMBATING HANDICAP DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT, EXCLUSIONARY ZONING, AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. TABULAR DATA AND FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED WITH INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES. SEE ALSO NCJ 68415-16 AND NCJ 68418. (MRK)