As you may have heard from our Diversity and Inclusion Event Planning Committee, December is Universal Human Rights Month. A time designated to learn about and stand up for the rights, dignity, and equality of all people.
On Wednesday, December 15th at 12pm, Nonotuck will be joined by Bob Fleischner for a presentation on the history of this initiative and how it relates to the work we do and the people we support.
We hope you can join us!
Here is an overview of the presentation Bob will be providing:
Human rights are those rights that everyone has by virtue of being human. They are usually thought of as the most fundamental rights -- the rights to live, to education, to protection from torture, to free expression, and to fair trial. Unlike civil rights, which arise from a legal grant of a right, human rights exist regardless of the legal or governmental system under which one lives. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, is the most important international expression of universal human rights. In 2006 the UN adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, recognizing that human rights doctrines apply equally to people with disabilities.
In recognition of Universal Human Rights Month, we will discuss the importance of human rights concepts for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and how they impact, or should impact, their lives.
Bob Fleischner retired in 2018 after more than 45 years as a legal aid lawyer, most as assistant director of the Center for Public Representation, a national public interest law firm which represents persons with disabilities. At CPR he tried cases and argued appeals in state and federal courts involving guardianship, prison conditions, juvenile justice reform, civil commitment, involuntary treatment, and the right to live in the community.
At CPR, together with Nonotuck Resource Associates, he co-directed one of the nation’s first supported decision-making pilot projects. Since his retirement he is a Senior Advisor to the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health and is the coordinator of an international group of disability advocates working to conform criminal justice systems to the requirements of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Lexis/Nexis published three editions of his co-authored book on Massachusetts guardianship law and he has written numerous journal articles and book chapters about disability and guardianship law. He has taught on the adjunct faculties of Western New England Law School and Smith College School for Social Work. Bob graduated from Boston College Law School in 1973.
Learn how Nonotuck developed a love-based ideology of care. We started our shared living program as an alternative to group homes for people with disabilities. Instead, Shared Living creates genuine life transformation for people with disabilities, as well as families and communities. The true power of caregiving is found through hospitality, authenticity, and love.
