Advocates: ‘Atalissa Needs To Bring Change’
(Des Moines Register)
March 20, 2009
Excerpt from The Inclusion Daily Express
ATALISSA, IOWA– [Excerpt] The Atalissa scandal must serve as a catalyst for overhauling the way Iowa protects the mentally disabled, parents and advocates told a state task force on Friday.
The committee was formed last month by Gov. Chet Culver in response to disclosures that dozens of mentally retarded men had been working for several decades in a West Liberty turkey-processing plant for as little as 44 cents an hour, plus room and board.
The task force is looking at ways to close the gaps in Iowa’s regulatory system and strengthen state laws dealing with unlicensed care centers that house the disabled.
Geoffrey Lauer, executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Iowa, urged the task force to use the opportunity created by the public’s outrage over Atalissa.
“Please, do not squander this gift. Do not turn away from this opportunity to boldly and publicly declare our system of service as one that has been, and is, stuck in an outdated and broken model of thinking and serving.”
Entire article:
‘Atalissa needs to bring change’
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2009/red/0320f.htm
Some Atalissa men malnourished (Des Moines Register)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2009/red/0320e.htm
Atalissa: Feds saw no need for fines at bunkhouse (Des Moines Register)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2009/red/0320d.htm
Planet of the Blind 