David Pfeiffer

Eugenics and Disability Discrimination

ABSTRACT Testimony presented during the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L. 101–336) indicated the continued existence of discrimination based upon a disability. Many persons, including academics, do not believe that such discrimination exists nor do they believe that some of the most threatening discrimination in the US is based in state law. This paper details these state laws (past and present) in the area of domestic relations and presents the historical cause for the enactment of the discriminatory laws. The Eugenics Movement using (somewhat wrongly) Darwins evolutionary theory was and continues to be the force behind them. Policy implications are presented in the conclusion.

The Influence of the Socio-economic Characteristics of Disabled People on Their Employment Status and Income

ABSTRACT Most of the studies of the employment and income levels of disabled people focus on a specific disability or on severely disabled persons. A few studies are cross disability ones, but they fail to go beyond simple associations or else have extremely small sample sizes. There is a need for studies which are cross disability and which have an adequate sample size in order to determine if there are structural variables in society—like a class system–which operate upon the employment opportunities of disabled persons. Using a sample (n = 733) of the Disability Community in Massachusetts, socio-economic variables related to employment and income are studied. Statistically significant relationships are found. Several models are developed and the implications for social theory are discussed.

The Disability Paradigm

People in the fields of rehabilitation and disability studies are familiar with the medical model of disability in which the professional decides what needs to be done to overcome a supposed &dquo;deficit&dquo; or &dquo;problem&dquo; and the person with a disability must follow the &dquo;doctor’s orders&dquo; or suffer dire consequences, some of which are not related to the condition. These conse-

The Americans with Disabilities Act: Costly Mandates or Civil Rights?

ABSTRACT Some persons in the US view the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a civil rights act. Others view it as an intrusive and costly mandate imposed upon the state and local governments by the federal government. In an attempt to resolve the issue, the question of costs versus civil rights in the ADA is reviewed. The argument that the ADA is intrusive and costly is analyzed showing that it fails in terms of logic and fiscal impact. A conclusion about costs and civil rights is offered.

The evaluation of fee for service and managed care from the viewpoint of people with disabilities in the USA.

In the literature on managed health care there is little presented from the viewpoint of people with disabilities, but this study looks at what is found. Using a sample of 258 persons with disabilities in Massachusetts obtained through a mail survey, no statistically significant differences between the two groups (fee for service or managed care) on a series of relevant variables was found. An evaluation of their health insurance and their primary care physician was asked for and several regression models of the relevant variables related to these two evaluations were tested. It seems that accessibility of the primary care physicianss office and the physicians level of understanding of the persons disability are related in a statistically significant way to their rating of their health insurance. Also it appears that the ease of obtaining an appointment and the physicians level of understanding of the persons disability are related in a statistically significant way to the evaluation of their primary care physician. The major policy implication of these findings is that managed care may not be the disaster which many foresee it to be.

Public Transit Access for Disabled Persons in the United States

ABSTRACT Disabled persons in the United States often lack usable public transit. The two most common solutions put forth are lift equipped buses on a fixed route and demand-response paratransit systems. Both of these programs have serious drawbacks in terms of service provided and costs, but a combination of them can begin to resolve the problem of public transit for disabled persons. The arguments for and against the use of lift buses and paratransit systems are analyzed. A policy recommendation is made.

Student Evaluations and Faculty Members with a Disability

ABSTRACT Resumes of hypothetical prospective faculty members were distributed to a sample of 307 university students. They were systematically manipulated as to whether the candidate had a disability. The students were asked to rate the hypothetical prospective faculty members on the basis of teaching and professional characteristics as well as whether they would sign up for a class with them and would recommend hiring them. In terms of teaching characteristics the students were more positive toward the disabled hypothetical prospective faculty members than the non-disabled. It appears that if hired, a faculty member with a disability will start at a level of student acceptance the same as or higher than that of one without a disability. One of the purposes of an affirmative action program is to bring in the protected group on the same terms as others and this purpose appears to be achievable in regard to disability.

Public attitudes toward an auto-free zone in a metropolitan area - boston

The role of the automobile in urban areas is a constant topic fordiscussion. Many proposals for creating an auto-free zone in metropolitan areas are advanced. This paper reports on a public opinion survey of the Boston SMSA concerning a plan to ban all automobiles from downtown Boston. The results indicate wide acceptance of the idea provided that any necessary funding would not come from new taxes. If the plan were to be put into effect, the number of trips to downtown Boston would increase. Those persons who presently travel by private cars would continue to drive as close to the downtown area as possible. other findings are presented. Wide spread interest among people was found for an auto-free zone.

Annotated bibliography on codes of professional conduct

The field of public administration is continually concerned about professional ethics and conduct. Woodrow Wilson’s essay analytically separating politics and administration can be viewed not only as marking the beginning of the self-conscious study of administration in this country, but it also as an early attempt to hold public administrators to a code of professional conduct as opposed to the ethics of the political arena. Over a hundred years later this concern is as fresh as ever. This annotated bibliography is an introduction to the extensive literature available in the field. It can be used in conjunction with the other bibliographies cited (Gothie 1973; Bowman 1981; Rabin 1982) and with works like Higginbotham (1980) as well as Rabin, Hildreth, and Miller (1989) for a comprehensive perspective. There is an index at the end.

The legal feasibility of an auto free zone in a metropolitan area

One of the suggested remedies for the extreme traffic congestion in the U.S. is the establishment of an auto free zone in downtown metropolitan areas. In order to determine the legal feasibility of such a plan, the authority of the states and municipalities to regulate public streets is reviewed. Special attention is given to eminent domain and the police power. The property rights of the affected persons are discussed. It is concluded that an auto free zone is legally feasible, but certain accompanying provisions would be prudent in order for the courts to uphold it. An annotated bibliography on auto free zones is included as an appendix.