Friday, May 26, 2023
Subscriber Login
My Profile
SpotlightNews
  • Home
  • News
    • Election 2022
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime and Police
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Fire Departments
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Obituaries
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Food and Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
    • New Scotland
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Election 2022
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime and Police
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Fire Departments
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Obituaries
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Food and Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
    • New Scotland
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
Spotlight News
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

LETTER to the EDITOR: 911 bill is about Civil Rights

Spotlight News by Spotlight News
May 30, 2018
in Opinion, Your Opinion
Reading Time: 2 mins read

#LetterToTheEditor #YourVoice #SpotlightNews

It is hard to fathom that the 911 call systems are being bypassed for people with disabilities regarding medical emergencies, physical and sexual assault crimes and even deaths, but it is true.

Upwards of one million people with disabilities who live in state run or private mental health facilities and group homes all across New York state do not have equal access to 911 first responder medical and police services and assistance.

There is no law in place currently to protect and save the lives of our most vulnerable, until the vital 911 Civil Rights Bill S4736B/A6830A is signed into law. This legislation will finally require mandated reporters to call 911 for all medical emergencies and when a crime is being committed against a person with a disability.

The 911 call systems were put in place decades ago, in the ’80s throughout New York and our country to provide everyone swift emergency assistance, usually within seven minutes or less, but the disabled have been treated unequally and denied equal access to 911 services.

In New York state the number one known documented reason for what are being called “untimely” deaths is staff in these facilities and group homes not calling 911 when there is a medical emergency. This is very important for everyone to grasp, only imagine if this was you or your child in an emergency medical situation and no one called 911?

As the writers of The Colonie Spotlight editorial said this is a matter of common sense, but it also is without a question a Civil Rights and discrimination matter.

Our state’s Constitution under Article 1 of the Bill of Rights Section 1 states, “No member of this state shall be disfranchised, or deprived of any of the rights or privileges secured to any citizen thereof…”  911 emergency first responder assistance is an equal privilege that can no longer be denied our most vulnerable. In the same portion of our constitution under (equal protection of laws; discrimination in civil rights prohibited) Section 11 it states, “No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof.” A person with a disability cannot have equal protection of the laws when they are a victim of a physical or sexual assault crime or a homicide; the local police, laws, the criminal justice system and courts are completely bypassed.

The 911 Civil Rights Bill was drafted by myself with the help of others to rectify this gross injustice, to save countless innocent lives, to end decades of discrimination against the disabled and ensure the prosecutions of individuals who rape, assault or take the life of a person with a disability.

I have requested of the last four governors to ensure 911 for the disabled, personally meeting with three, since my precious son, Jonathan, died 11 years ago. Jonathan died because he was denied 911 emergency services. I have requested Bethlehem town leaders to send in a letter of full support for the 911 Civil Rights Bill and as a Bethlehem resident for almost all of my life, I would ask that you would please do so as well, or please call our state leaders. Together, we can bring about great changes and save many lives.

Michael Carey

Delmar

Tags: Letter to the editor
ShareTweetShareShare
Previous Post

2018 Alive at Five lineup announced

Next Post

ESYO names new music director

Leave Comment

Stay Connected with Us

Recent News

Local comic book and cosplay enthusiasts turn out in support of their local con

May 26, 2023
Hair of the Dog Opens up the first ever "Wake-Up Wednesdays" concert series held at Ryan's Wake, Wednesday, May 17,2023

Wake-Up Wednesdays Free Music, through June 21st

May 26, 2023

Lesser known benefits of exercise

May 26, 2023
A family taking part in a game during Raiderfest at Colonie HS Saturday, May 20.

Raiderfest 2023

May 25, 2023

Hot Stories This Week

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
The Mohawk River with a water chestnut and other invasive plants along the Colonie shore on the left and Saratoga County on the right. 
Jim Franco / Spotlight News

UPDATE: Colonie water emergency ends

May 21, 2023
In 2019, Latham Water District Superintendent John Frazer Jr. (right) and Dan Marshall, the chief water treatment plant operator, watch massive water filters get cleaned.
Jim Franco / Spotlight News

UPDATE: Water emergency due to valve failure

May 19, 2023

Colonie High School Senior dies after Route 85 crash

May 14, 2023

Town of Colonie under water emergency

May 19, 2023

Local comic book and cosplay enthusiasts turn out in support of their local con

May 26, 2023
Hair of the Dog Opens up the first ever "Wake-Up Wednesdays" concert series held at Ryan's Wake, Wednesday, May 17,2023

Wake-Up Wednesdays Free Music, through June 21st

May 26, 2023

Lesser known benefits of exercise

May 26, 2023
A family taking part in a game during Raiderfest at Colonie HS Saturday, May 20.

Raiderfest 2023

May 25, 2023
Spotlight News

Spotlight News, The Spot 518 and Capital District Family Now are divisions of Community Media Group, LLC. Our local offices are located at 341 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054. You can contact us at 518.439.4949.

Browse

Follow Us

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact the Editor
  • Employment
  • Our Team
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Legal Notices Portal

© 2022 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Election 2022
  • News
    • Crime and Police
    • Fire Departments
    • Milestones
    • Real Estate and Housing
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Spotlight On Business
    • Spotlight on Finance
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Theatre
    • Music
    • Food and Drink
    • Health & Fitness
  • Hot Spots Calendar
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Advertiser Login
    • Service Directory
    • Hire Power – Employer Spotlight
  • Capital District Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
  • Log In
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949