FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 25, 2011

Silver Calls For Hearings On Abuses In Homes
For The Developmentally Disabled

After a recent newspaper article documented disturbing cases of abuse in state run homes for the developmentally disabled, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today called upon Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Committee Chair Felix Ortiz, Codes Committee Chair Joseph Lentol and Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee Chair Jonathan Bing to hold a series of public hearings to examine the quality of care and safety measures in the facilities.

"These vulnerable individuals and their families who depend on treatment and care through state-licensed facilities should have confidence that the care they receive is of the highest quality and that they are safe from harm and abuse," said Silver (D-Manhattan).

In his letter to the Assembly committee chairs, Silver noted a March 2011 article in the New York Times that outlined reported disturbing acts of abuse against individuals receiving services in programs licensed by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities in the past.

The statewide public hearings would also address what could be done by the state to avoid further abuse and mistreatment of those with developmental disabilities.

Click here to view a copy of the letter (pdf).