You may read an article posted today by Disability Scoop wherein Lance Robertson states in a written response to members of Congress that Mary Lazare "did not state, or intend to express, the opinions referenced in (their) letter."

In the article, Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) responds that he "remain(s) concerned that we received no additional information or clarification on her original remarks (...) People with disabilities deserve to be fully included in society, and any suggestion to the contrary is simply unacceptable.”

You may read the entire article here.

My Opinion

I find these comments troubling, especially Mr. Robertson's qualifier, "intend to express."

If Ms. Lazare did not make these statements, then why did she apologize on the ACL's Twitter account? If she did say them but did not intend the interpretation that the disability community had of her words, then why did she not issue a formal statement clarifying her words and what she intended to say?

I still stand by this petition, as Mr. Robertson's response to Representatives Gregg Harper (R-MS), Jim Langevin (D-RI), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) does not answer why these comments were not clarified by Ms. Lazare in a proper address to the disability community, which does not mean a simple post on Twitter.

Those Who Need Extended Supports

While I do feel Ms. Lazare should resign at this moment in time, I do agree that Olmstead observes appropriate settings as judged by medical professionals and best interest of the individual. Regardless, whether the word "choice" or "right" is used, I personally believe this situation has been handled poorly. People with disabilities deserve enough respect to receive a proper apology and not a tweet.

Some people do need more supports than families can provide and may be determined by a medical professional to require these specific supports. Also, acknowledging a spectrum does not discount that there was a time when every person with a disability was placed into poorly-run government institutions and did not receive free appropriate public education or other rights. Everyone deserves the right to quality care. Nevertheless, it does not matter if Ms. Lazare intended to make inflammatory remarks. Clearly, there were attendees of these conferences who were perturbed by the comments.

Ms. Lazare needs to be held to the same degree accountable as any other person who might make derogatory remarks while holding a government position--even if it was an error in wording.