The ADA & Persons with Mental Disabilities: Can Sanist Attitudes Be Undone?
Case Citation
Quiles-Quiles v. Henderson, 439 F.3d 1, 7 (1st Cir. 2006)
Background
Former employee of Postal Service disabled by severe depression sued Postmaster General under Rehabilitation Act, alleging workplace harassment due to his disability, and retaliation.
Article Publication Date
1994
Volume
8
Citing Quote
“These comments indicate that Quiles' supervisors perceived him to be potentially violent because of hismental impairment. The belief that the mentally ill are disproportionately dangerous is precisely the type of discriminatory myth that the Rehabilitation Act and ADA were intended to confront.SeeMichael Perlin,TheADA & Persons with Mental Disabilities: Can Sanist Attitudes Be Undone?, 8 J.L. & Health 15, 27 (1994)(‘A series of behavioral myths has emerged suggesting that persons withmental disabilitiesare ... disproportionately dangerous....’).”