Dr. Nora's Top Picks

1.　"Man Convicted of Raping Disabled Neighbor" --- A San Francisco man is facing 46 years to life in prison for raping a disabled neighbor two years ago. Prosecutors say the woman … --- April 4, 2012　 (CALIFORNIA)　 http://is.gd/LR64qf 　

2.　"Attorney, Family Remain Angry about Interrogation of Developmentally-Disabled Teen" --- The developmentally-disabled 18-year-old signed a confession detailing his involvement in a sex assault case of an 8-year-old girl inside of the girl's bedroom. Three years later, his attorney says that confession was nothing more than a sham. --- 9NEWS.com --- April 5, 2012　 (COLORADO)　　 http://is.gd/FbMSpo 　

3.　‘Caregiver Charged in Sex Assault at Autism Group Home’ --- ... supposed to be taking care of an 18-year-old vulnerable adult with low cognitive abilities is now facing three felony charges after investigators accused him of sexually assaulting her and causing great bodily harm at a group home in Burnsville. --- FOX 9 News --- April 6, 2012　 (MINNESOTA)　 http://isXXX.gd/k63MlT 　

4. 　"NY Mother Charged in Death of Disabled Daughter" --- A Long Island woman has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder in the death last summer of her 8-year-old disabled daughter. --- Wall Street Journal --- April 4, 2012　　 (NEW YORK)　　　 http://is.gd/IPR7iY 　　

5.　 "Supervisor to Avoid Jail in Death of Staten Island Mental Health Patient ..." --- The parents of an autistic man who died after being put in a fatal chokehold at a Staten Island mental health unit vowed to continue their quest for justice after learning today that the supervisor who restrained him will avoid ... SILive.com --- April 3, 2012　 (NEW YORK)　　 http://is.gd/jGlKd1 　

6.　"Trial in Alleged Torture Killing Postponed" --- A judge in western Pennsylvania has delayed the trial of a man charged with imprisoning, torturing and killing a mentally challenged woman. Melvin Knight, 22, who could face the death penalty if he is convicted, ... --- UPI.com --- April 5, 2012　 (PENNSYLVANIA)　　 http://is.gd/M0oNEw 　

7.　 "Video Shows Handicapped Middle School Student Being Bullied" --- Dennis says the victim is handicapped. He says the victim's mother filed a formal complaint on Sunday. Yolanda Smith says the video shows her son, Elijah, being bullied near the end of the school day. He is a 13-year-old 8th grader who, according to ... --- Live 5 News --- April 2, 2012　 (SOUTH CAROLINA)　 http://is.gd/bLoo0o 　

8. 　 "Report shows privately run Training Centers Also Have Cases of Abuse" --- Charles Fallis, president of the CVTC Parents and Friends group, said a report by the Adult Protective Services, a branch of the state Department of Social Services, offers a competing view of safety in housing for people with disabilities. --- 　　　　　　　　　　 Lynchburg News and Advance --- April 6, 2012　 (VIRGINIA) http://is.gd/0taa1A 　　　　　　　

9.　 "New Law Gives Developmentally Disabled Better Access to Justice" --- A bill just signed in to Colorado law is aimed at giving the developmentally disabled better access to justice. The bill was created to allow hearsay testimony in cases where certain victims have developmental disabilities. --- CBS Local --- April 4, 2012　 (COLORADO)　 http://is.gd/x5Tfid 　

10.　"Lawmakers Approve Bill to Strengthen Neglect Laws" --- The intentional neglect of vulnerable adults or children could be classified as a felony crime, under legislation sent to Gov. Mark Dayton. Legislators took final action Thursday … --- Minnesota Public Radio --- April 6, 2012　 (MINNESOTA)　 http://is.gd/VBDxS6 　

11.　 "Autism is Addressed at the United Nations" --- Autism was the operative word. Honoring the occasion of the fifth annual World Autism Awareness Day, a panel discussion was hosted by The Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN, the United States Mission … --- Examiner.com --- April 4, 2012　 (INTERNATIONAL)　　 http://is.gd/jvFiwx
 

Abuse/Crime-related

12.　"Woman Accused of Abusing Wheelchair-Bound Mother" --- A woman has been charged with domestic violence after authorities say she attacked her wheelchair-bound mother. Mohave County Sheriff's deputies arrested 48-year-old … --- MyFox Phoenix --- April 3, 2012　 (ARIZONA)　 http://is.gd/nbQUGl 　

13.　"Human-Rights Group Slams Arizona Prison Practices" --- A human-rights group is accusing Arizona of violating international law by improperly using "cruel isolation" for years at a time for non-violent or mentally ill inmates and depriving them of basic physical and mental health care. --- NECN --- April 3, 2012　 (ARIZONA)　　 http://is.gd/fY6IfZ 　

14.　 "Police: Apopka School Teacher Arrested for Abusing Two Handicapped Students" --- An Orange County teacher was arrested on charges of abusing handicapped students, Apopka police said on Thursday. WFTV confronted Patricia Lamantia, 56, who teaches at Dream Lake Elementary School in Apopka. --- WFTV Orlando --- April 5, 2012　 (FLORIDA) http://is.gd/mAj1HR 　　

15.　 "Justice Department to Look into Discrimination against Students with Disabilities" --- Now, the AJC is reporting that the US Justice Department plans to investigate allegations that Georgia schools are discriminating against students with disabilities, the Southern Poverty Law Center announced Thursday. The complaint takes aim at the a Journal Constitution … --- (GEORGIA) --- Associated Press --- April 5, 2012　 (GEORGIA)　 http://www.wftv.com/ap/ap/social-issues/group-says-feds-probing-ga-school-discrimination/nMKbn/

16.　 "Worker Neglects Handicapped Client While Playing Basketball" ---According to leaders with Anthony Wayne Services, one of its employees left a handicapped man in a van for at least an hour while that worker played basketball. --- WANE --- April 4, 2012　 (INDIANA) http://is.gd/n6o17Q 　　

17.　 "Plymouth Man Accused of Neglecting Disabled Wife Out of Jail" --- The Plymouth man accused of neglecting his dependent wife is out of jail - released after his arraignment on felony neglect charges. --- South Bend Tribune --- April 3, 2012　 (INDIANA)　　 http://is.gd/RRy1Ei 　

18.　"LaCourse Pleads Guilty to Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult" --- Both LaCourse and her husband relinquished guardianship over the vulnerable adult in 2011. Ann Marie LaCourse, 48, of Sleepy Eye, appeared in court Friday (March 30) to plead guilty to financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. In the plea bargain, ... --- Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch --- April 5, 2012　 (MINNESOTA)　 http://is.gd/3kr3C6 　

19.　 "Medicaid Whistleblower Could Lose Coverage´--- In 2003, he qualified for home health care under New Jersey's Medicaid program. When nurses were late or failed to show up altogether for their daily appointment, … --- CNBC.com --- April 5, 2012　 (NEW JERSEY)　 http://is.gd/zFG13M

20.　"Utica Police Investigating Two Robberies of Two Handicapped Residents" --- Utica Police say they are investigating two separate robberies, both involving handicapped victims and both happened on Friday. First, investigators say around 5:30 Friday evening someone pushed a 51 year old woman with a cane, ... --- WKTV --- April 1, 2012　 (NEW YORK)　 http://is.gd/3rjIBr 　

21.　"Okla. Caregiver Accused of Financially Exploiting Mentally Disabled" --- Attorney General Scott Pruitt's office says a woman who allegedly coerced money from her developmentally disabled patients has been charged with three counts of financial exploitation. The Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control ... --- kjrh.com --- April 6, 2012　 (OKLAHOMA) http://is.gd/MI9GEp 　　

22.　"Drunk Man Beat up Handicapped Man over Playboy Magazine, Deputies Say" --- A York man is facing charges after deputies say he assaulted a handicapped man over a Playboy Magazine. According to a York County Sheriff's report, deputies were called to a home along ... --- WBTV --- April 6, 2012　 (SOUTH CAROLINA)　　　 http://is.gd/Xf4Ueg 　

23.　"Tenn. Home Didn't Call Police When Resident Beaten" --- ... because Elmcroft officials had him taken to a US Veterans Affairs facility. The newspaper reported investigators found the home had violated numerous state regulations, including failure to report the Dec. 24 incident to Adult Protective Services. --- Clarksville Leaf Chronicle --- April 4, 2012　 (TENNESSEE)　 http://is.gd/E472uB 　

24.　 "Disabled Man Says Memory Affected by Attack with Baseball Bat" --- A disabled man testified in General Sessions Court that his memory has been affected by a blow to the head he received with a baseball bat last Oct. 12. --- The Chattanoogan --- April 3, 2012　 (TENNESSEE) http://is.gd/r9ryPG 　　

25.　 "Mom Charged in Death of Son Whose Body was Found in a Box" --- A mom is charged with murder almost a year after her 10-year-old handicapped son was found stuffed in a cardboard box in the back of her husband's SUV. --- KPRC Houston --- April 5, 2012　 (TEXAS)　　 http://is.gd/pkREqb 　

26.　 "A Boy, Some Bullies and Autism" --- One boy's story hits home about how a sharp rise in the reported cases of autism means more knowledge, funding -- and kindness -- is needed. I'd like you to meet my nephew, Jessie. --- Patch.com --- April 3, 2012　 (U.S. --- NATIONAL)　 http://is.gd/JQlljv 　

27.　 "GOP Wants to Deny Lesbian Veteran with MS Full Disability Benefits" --- The Republican House leadership has announced it will intervene in a Defense of Marriage Act lawsuit that challenges the federal ban's denial of full disability benefits for the spouse of a military veteran coping with MS. --- Care2.com --- April 2, 2012　 (U.S. – NATIONAL)　 http://is.gd/uezHNI 　

Seeking Improved Support

28.　"Advocate for the Disabled Wins Award" --- Tanya "Renee" Will of Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division heads to the podium to receive the 2012 Joyce W. Stewart Memorial Award. --- Ventura County Star --- April 4, 2012　 (CALIFORNIA)　 http://is.gd/s50VqD 　　

29.　 ‘Singer Avril Lavigne Visits Pleasanton Safeway to Launch Campaign for Disabled" --- Shoppers got a dose of pop star with their groceries Tuesday when singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne visited a new Safeway to help kick off chain's national fundraising campaign for the disabled. --- San Jose Mercury News --- April 3, 2012　 (CALIFORNIA)　　 http://is.gd/ceU6ST 　

30.　"Companies Hire Autistics to Test Software" --- Part of the reason autism has captivated Hollywood moviemakers more than other developmental disabilities is that, for all the difficulties it brings those who have it, it also gives some of them the ability to perform uncanny feats of brainpower: ... --- San Francisco Chronicle --- April 1, 2012　 (CALIFORNIA) http://is.gd/yeBw8L 　

31.　"Living Disabled by Cuts: Those in Need of Care, Caregivers on Budgetary Roller ... " --- Apart from the human toll of budget cuts, some studies indicate putting disabled people into nursing facilities is actually much pricier than the in-home costs these budget cuts are trying to offset. --- Record-Searchlight --- March 31, 2012　 (CALIFORNIA)　 http://is.gd/KOaE5C 　

32.     "A 'Systemic Suicide': Mental Illness' Stigma Major Roadblock to Getting Help" --- Larimer County Coroner's Office For those suffering from mental illness, there are a variety of places to find help. Suicide prevention experts say if you or someone you know could be ... --- The Coloradoan --- March 31, 2012　 (COLORADO)　 http://is.gd/89htNm 　

33.　"Yale University Scientists Find Genetic Link to Autism" --- Yale University scientists say they've found a route to understanding the cause of autism. In a paper published Wednesday in the journal Nature, Yale psychiatry and genetics professor … --- Post-Chronicle --- April 4, 2012　 (CONNECTICUT)　　 http://is.gd/4RB7Ro 　　

34.　 "Advocates for Disabled Concerned about Comedy Act" --- Jack Markell and members of the General Assembly this week, Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council chairwoman Diann Jones said funny man Dan Whitney often makes fun of people with disabilities in bits … --- April 6, 2012　 (DELAWARE)　　 http://is.gd/YUIFNx

35.　"Ind. Man Indicted on Medicaid Fraud Charges" --- A suburban Indianapolis man has been indicted on federal charges alleging that he bilked Indiana's Medicaid program out of more than $1 million. The Indianapolis Star reports 49-year-old Donald Hamilton of ... --- Wausau Daily Herald --- March 31, 2012　 (INDIANA)　　 http://is.gd/wSRzNF 　

36.　"Project Helps Disabled Iowans Get Involved with Politics" --- Folks with Iowa advocacy project, ID Action, say "For too long Iowans with disabilities have been over looked and under represented" in politics and civil affairs. So, since 2002, the program has been ... --- KTIV --- April 3, 2012　 (IOWA)　 http://is.gd/oZZU7M 　

37.　 "Mental Health Funding May be Cut" --- Elizabeth Layton Center officials are hoping decisions made in Topeka won't cut more funding for the mental health facility, which has already seen its budget reduced in recent years. --- KC Community News --- April 4, 2012　 (KANSAS)　 http://is.gd/P1N5fd 　

38.　 "Maine Employers Urged to Hire Disabled" --- But for people with disabilities, the quest to find meaningful employment is nothing new. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce today joined with the Maine Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services … --- MPBN News --- April 3, 2012　 (MAINE)　　 http://is.gd/Os3H1s 　

39.　 "Mo. Senate Panel Backs Cuts to Social Services" --- A Missouri Senate committee is looking for ways to restore a health care program for the blind. But it also is proposing cuts to other social services. --- NECN --- April 5, 2012　 (MISSOURI)　　 http://is.gd/3XYbPT 　

40.　 "Missourians with Disabilities Speak Out at Missouri Capitol" --- The Missouri State Capitol was buzzing Wednesday as more than 100 Missourians with disabilities, their caretakers, and advocates gathered to make their voices heard. --- OzarksFirst.com --- April 4, 2012　 (MISSOURI) http://is.gd/fi55nf 　　

41.　 "Nebraska Follows National Trend of Rising Autism" --- The alarming spike in Autism diagnosis continues to affect many families across the United States. As you may know, the CDC reported last week that 1 in 88 children has Autism. --- KHAS-TV --- April 3, 2012　 (NEBRASKA) http://is.gd/heUnqF 　　

42.　 "N.J. Autism Rate Increase Shows Need for Immediate Planning" ---Recent reports that New Jersey's autism rates have risen dramatically and reached "epidemic proportions" has elicited disagreement among researchers. --- newjerseynewsroom.com --- April 3, 2012　 (NEW JERSEY)　 http://is.gd/jczGjG 　

43.　 "Group Restores Services to 450 People with Developmental Disabilities" --- The home and community-based services help keep those residents out of institutional care. PBH said in a statement it has returned services for more than 450 residents who had been receiving services below their level of need. --- Winston-Salem Journal --- April 4, 2012　 (NORTH CAROLINA)　 http://is.gd/T2E5pn 　

44.　 "Outgrowing Autism? Study Looks at Why Some Kids 'Bloom' " --- When Danny Melville, show with his mom Karen, was diagnosed at the age of 2 as being severely autistic, his parents were told he might not ever talk. Now the 7-year is eager to share his interests with his family and will enter a mainstream classroom ... --- msnbc.com --- April 2, 2012　 (OHIO) http://is.gd/KFdqt7 　　

45.　 "Judge Rules in Favor of Fired Employee with Bipolar Disorder" --- Finally, he was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, a mood disorder affecting about 5.7 million Americans and, … --- ABC News --- April 6, 2012　 (OREGON)　　 . http://is.gd/Ojzo7y 　

46.　 "Ore. Man Must Repay $176K in Disability Benefits" --- A Bend man has been sentenced to six months of home confinement and ordered to repay more than $176,000 in fraudulently obtained federal disability payments. --- KMTR NewsSource 16 --- April 4, 2012　 (OREGON)　 http://is.gd/ifiePn 　

47.　 "Pa. Drops 71,000 Children from Medicaid" --- Thousands of Pennsylvania families are in an uproar after the state dropped some 71,000 children from Medicaid in recent months, officials say. --- UPI.com --- April 3, 2012　 (PENNSYLVANIA)　　 http://is.gd/ClnHwi 　　

48.　 "Autism Cases Soar in Central Texas" --- But 5-year-old Austin is diagnosed with Autism. And mom Katherine works extra hard to teach him what seems natural to others. Autism is a neurological disorder, affecting how people socialize and communicate. --- KCEN-TV --- April 3, 2012　 (TEXAS)　 http://is.gd/Di1TMw 　

49.　 "Child Protective Services Trying to Clear Backlog" --- Texas Child Protective Services is sending investigators to help with backlogs of cases created by understaffing in offices in Austin and Midland-Odessa areas. --- Bryan College Station Eagle --- March 27, 2012　 (TEXAS)　 http://is.gd/fEedfL 　

50. 　 "Identity Theft Involving Children is a Growing Crime" --- In the past five years, the Utah Attorney General's online Identity Theft Reporting Information System has received more than 3000 reports of ID theft — about 67 percent of which involved Social Security numbers belonging to ... --- Salt Lake Tribune --- April 7, 2012　 (UTAH)　　 http://is.gd/aiQlTC 　

51.　 "Recovery Focus Coming to Salt Lake County's Mentally Ill" --- A woman is acting strangely at an art gallery so the business owner calls the mental health crisis line. A crisis team is dispatched and determines she may be psychotic. But instead of taking her to jail or a hospital, the team leads her ... --- Salt Lake Tribune --- April 2, 2012　 (UTAH)　 http://is.gd/DrPJhs 　　

52.　"Vt. Governor to Sign Mental Health Overhaul" --- Peter Shumlin is set to sign an overhaul of the state's mental health system into law. Wednesday's bill signing is the culmination of a process that got under way in earnest after Tropical Storm Irene … --- NECN --- April 4, 2012　 (VERMONT)　 http://is.gd/GWpg50 　

53.　 "The Autism Wars: --- The report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that one in 88 American children have an autism spectrum disorder has stoked a debate about why the condition's prevalence continues to rise. The CDC said it was possible that the increase ... --- New York Times --- April 7, 2012　 (U.S. – NATIONAL)　 http://is.gd/D7JvSB 　

54.　On World Autism Day, There Are Still Families without Help´--- The CDC report on Autism was released on Thursday, detailing that it is now estimated that 1 in 88 children in the US alone are on the Autism Spectrum. While some articles that I have read have labeled this "Alarmingly high," as the parent of a child ... --- Huffington Post --- April 2, 2012　 (U.S. – NATIONAL)　　 http://is.gd/SwCizh 　

Proposed Legislation and New Laws

55.　"New Law Alters Attorneys' Pay in Adult Abuse Cases" --- Jan Brewer signed a bill into law Tuesday that changes the way attorneys are paid in cases involving adult abuse or neglect. Supporters of the law say it will help prevent excessive court awards to attorneys who represent vulnerable adults. --- Tucson Citizen --- April 3, 2012　 (ARIZONA)　 http://is.gd/n1xkbn 　

56.　 "Florida Likely to Challenge Autism Ruling" --- The state Agency for Health Care Administration likely will appeal a federal judge's ruling that requires the Medicaid program to provide a type of intensive treatment to autistic children. AHCA refused to cover the treatment, ... --- The News-Press --- April 5, 2012　 (FLORIDA)　　 http://is.gd/SRd3EE 　

57.　"Theaters to Be Friendlier to Hearing, Vision Impaired" ---"This technology will allow people with disabilities to enjoy a movie right alongside their friends and families unlike ever before," Madigan said. Madigan was joined at AMC River East 21 … --- Galesburg Register-Mail --- April 4, 2012　 (ILLINOIS)　　　 http://is.gd/g7cQZK 　

58.　"Iowa House, Senate Make Breakthrough on Mental Health Reform Funding" --- Iowa lawmakers have made a breakthrough on funding the redesign of Iowa's patchwork mental health delivery system. News of the agreement led to some speculation … --- Eastern Iowa Government --- April 3, 2012　 (IOWA)　 http://is.gd/Ycrx0x 　　

59.     "Bill Would Provide Job Support for High-Functioning Individuals with Autism" --- While high-functioning individuals with autism can often get the support they need to be successful in school, it can be a different story once they graduate. --- Post-Bulletin --- April 3, 2012　 (MINNESOTA)　 http://is.gd/2dY3DN 　

60.　"Study: People with Autism Better at Processing Information" --- A new study offers clues for why some people with autism may have a superior ability of processing information. --- CBS News --- April 3, 2012　 (U.S. – NATIONAL)　　 http://is.gd/Zhz4Ds 　
 

International Articles

61.　 "Rural Mental Health Patients the First to Suffer: GP" --- A Hunter Valley GP says the region's rural mental health patients will be the hardest hit after the closure of a body that supports rural doctors. --- ABC Online --- April 5, 2012　 (AUSTRALIA)　　 http://is.gd/fosJi5

62.　"Vacant Mental Health Positions Delaying Patient Care in PA" --- The president of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, Karen Wasylenko, spoke at a press conference on Monday morning at the Holiday Inn. --- Prince Albert Daily Herald --- April 3, 2012　 (CANADA)　 http://is.gd/fzGvHm

63.　"SC Sends Notice to SpiceJet for Deplaning Disabled Woman" --- SpiceJet on the plea by a cerebral palsy-afflicted woman, accusing the airline of forcibly deplaning her from a flight to Goa from Kolkata and seeking compensation for it. --- Daily News & Analysis --- April 5, 2012　 (INDIA)　　 http://is.gd/Pka1pz

64.　"Mentally Challenged Child was Placed On Train Tracks by Father" --- A father first pushed his mentally-challenged three-year-old daughter from the second floor of their building. She survived. --- NDTV --- April 4, 2012　 (INDIA)　　 http://is.gd/MWmw9t

65.　"Disabled Girl 'Molested' in Delhi Hospital, Technician Held" --- A 17-year-old physically challenged girl was allegedly molested inside the premises of Swami Dayanand Hospital by one of the employee on Sunday. --- Indian Express --- April 3, 2012　 (INDIA)　　 http://is.gd/TQY5h0

66.　"Mentally Ill Homeless Five Times More Likely to Kill" --- Homeless people with a mental illness are five times more at risk of killing other people or themselves than people in the general community with such an illness. The finding emerged from research conducted by mental health services ... --- Irish Examiner --- April 2, 2012　 (IRELAND)　 http://is.gd/zwzvf1

67.　 "Mental Health Report: Involuntary Admissions Up 5% in 2011" --- The number of children and adults being involuntary admitted to mental health services is on the rise, according to the annual report of the Mental Health Commission (MHC) published today. --- Irish Examiner --- April 4, 2012　 (IRELAND)　 http://is.gd/9VjzZM　

68.　 "Deaf, Gay and HIV Positive Activist Battles Against Stigma" --- "People with disabilities throughout the world -- and we're talking about a billion people here -- are often ignored when it comes to issues of HIV and AIDS prevention, access to treatment, access to counseling and other preventative techniques," says ... --- CNN --- April 3, 2012　 (SOUTH AFRICA)　 http://is.gd/COxFpg