From Wave-Tv in Louisville, Kentucky - Two homeless and deaf men have been arrested and charged with two recent murders.
From the Associated Press - Disability rights advocates have filed a class-action law suit against the city of Los Angeles, contending that special-needs residents have been overlooked in its disaster response plan.
From The National in the United Arab Emerites - Katie Newitt, 43-year-old mother of three is preparing to become the first blind person to run the Dubai Marathon this month.
The Los Angeles Times reports that problems with accessibility are expected at the inauguration for people with disabilities, despite accommodations.
From the [UK] Guardian and the [UK] Telegraph: "Prenatal screening for autism is closer to reality today with the release of a study that links high levels of testosterone in the womb of pregnant women to autistic traits in their children. The new data is prompting experts to call for a public debate about prenatal testing and selective termination for autism ..."
Fayatteville, Northwest Arkansas - A woman has filed federal lawsuits against three area business alleging they are not accessible to people with disabilities. More here ...
Seattle, Washington - A 48-year old man has pleaded guilty to malicious harassment and attempted malicious harassment stemming from several verbal tirades against a 13-year-old boy with autism. More here ... (h/t to ICAD)
From the [UK] Telegraph - A report released in the UK by the disability advocacy group Mencap entitled "Death by Indifference" highlights the "unneccessary" deaths of six NHS patients with learning disabilities. See also this BBC report titled "Call for damning death verdicts".
Cleveland, Ohio - The family of a girl with Down syndrome has filed a suit against her school, alleging she was sexually violated by two male classmates. More here ...
From reports in the [Edinburgh] Scotsman, Fox News, [UK] Times, UPI - A 25-year old woman in the UK is pregant with conjoined twins and says she will carry them to term, even although her doctors advised her to have an abortion. A spokesman for the UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said he has observed a subtle change in attitude toward babies with disabilities, with more couples opting to carry them to term. The reason for the change, he said, is the better care and understanding demonstrated by society. (h/t to Patricia E Bauer)
From the Associated Press - The National Disability Rights Network has called for a ban on seclusion and prone restraint, saying that children across the country, many with disabilities, have been injured or killed when they were restrained or secluded at school.
