News 10, May 7th 2012

Governor Cuomo proposed today a new statewide justice center to go after people who abuse and neglect those with disabilities. It would establish the strongest standards in the nation aimed at protecting the disabled.

Josh Lewis of Webster has been in a wheelchair since he was 4, when a drunk driver crashed into the car he was in. Now 27, Josh has learned to live with his disability, but he doesn’t think society has.

“I think culturally in this country we are a lot more advanced than a lot of places. I thank God that I was born here…but we still have a long way to be equal,” says Lewis.

Lewis says people with disabilities face discrimination like blocked access to buildings and bathrooms that cannot accomodate wheelchairs, and he says that’s only the beginning.

Governor Cuomo is concerned about this inequality, but even moreso, crimes and abuse against people with disabilities. He spoke about the issue during a press conference today, saying, “you don’t have to be an elected official, you don’t have to be an expert in the mental health field to say that every human being deserves to be treated fairly and with human dignity…no New Yorker will rest until that is done.”

The Governor today proposed a law to create a statewide justice center for people with disabilities. It’s purpose: to investigate and prosecute allegations of abuse and neglect. There would be a hotline, a database to track reports of abuse and a statewide registry for workers who’ve committed crimes against people with disabilities.

Chris Hilderbrant is the spokesperson for Rochester’s Center for Disability Rights. He says this legislation is long overdue. “I think this is a very good step towards protecting people…too long people have been abused and the system has looked the other way…and this is agreat step towards stopping that system, stopping that pattern.”

The measure would have to be approved by the legislature, however, both Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos joined the Governor in support of the measure.