Disability Activists Blast PBS for ADA Anniversary Promotion of Better Dead than Disabled Film
Disability activists blast PBS for choosing to air a "better dead than disabled" documentary on the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
For Immediate Release
(PRWEB) July 25, 2005 -- In
an all-too-common feat of cultural insensitivity, PBS has chosen July 26th, the
anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to air
“POV: The Self-Made Man.” The documentary features the videotaped statements of
Bob Stern, an elderly man deciding to commit suicide rather than face possible
disability, medical uncertainly or complications.
“The choice of this
particular air date is an affront to people with disabilities in this country,”
says Diane Coleman, president of Not Dead Yet, a national disability rights
group based in Forest Park, IL. “The 15th anniversary of the ADA is, for people
with disabilities, the nation’s largest minority, what the Civil Rights Act of
1964 is for people of color. Not only is it being ignored by PBS, but the
network is featuring and promoting a program about a person so terrified of
aging and disability that he commits suicide. In terms of sensitivity to
diversity issues, this puts PBS in the same league as the Fox News Channel. And,
no, that is not a compliment.”
Stephen Drake, research analyst for Not
Dead Yet, notes that the film is a slanted portrayal of the broader issues.
“Normally, we don’t comment when a rich, privileged guy decides to take his own
life. We didn’t comment when Hunter Thompson shot himself. After all, Thompson
wasn’t asking for a change in the law, a permission slip, or help from
anyone.”
Drake says the situation is different with “The Self-Made Man.”
“It’s being promoted as a tool for adding to the public discourse in regard to
assisted suicide, an issue confronting the U.S. Supreme Court and legislators in
California," he said. "Whether society will treat some suicidal people
differently than others is a public policy issue. The film, however, frames the
issue as a dispute between religious conservatives and those who “believe in
autonomy.”
Coleman and Drake say this ignores the fact that secular
disability rights groups have been at the forefront of opposing legalization of
assisted suicide. Twelve national disability groups filed an amicus brief
supporting the Attorney General in the Gonzalez v. Oregon case currently before
the Supreme Court.
Moreover, disability opposition is well known to the
official “advisors” to the documentary. Three out of the four credited advisors
to the program are long-time assisted suicide/euthanasia advocates: Paul Spiers,
ex board Chair of “Compassion and Choices;” Margaret Battin, advisory board of
the Death with Dignity National Center; and Dennis Kuby, ex-regional director
(California) of the Hemlock Society. These “advisors” could have advised a
truthful portrayal of the policy debate, including disability opposition.
“Obviously, balance is one thing producer Susan Stern wasn’t looking for,” says
Drake.
Contacts:
Stephen Drake 708 209 1500 ext 29
Diane
Coleman 708 420 0539
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/7/prweb265191.htm