[WSIS CS-Plenary] Shirin Ebadi Nomination - Deadline for supports

Mon Oct 17 00:40:21 BST 2005

Dear Laina,

The response to your question is probably a bit technical for the general
list and if you have further questions than the one below, we should
continue back channel or perhaps you would like to join the Health and ICT
WG.

You being up an excellent point.  In New York State, there isn't always a
clear cut distinction as to what is a learning disability and what is not.
For example, in schools if a child is designated learning disabled,
typically that would have to meet a criteria of being about 50 percent below
grade level in any particular skill level (reading, math writing, etc.) and
also simultaneously must have a minimum of average intelligence.

If the learning disability is less severe, then the school may not classify
and provide services, as the funding is based on that criteria. But
obviously the child may be 30 percent below grade level and still in need of
services, in which case the  remedial services would be the responsibility
of the parent and done privately.   However, if the Committee on Special
Education of the school district classifies a child, they must provide
services.

With insurance, often the distinction that is used to determine coverage is
whether the treatment is medically necessary and it is in this category that
often psychological services usually fall.  Therefore, those services which
are seen as educational may not be viewed as medically necessary.  As you
can see it is a complex issue with not always easy answers.

Unless there were other psychological issues, a child with a learning
disability would not necessarily be diagnosed with a mental problem/illness.

Best regards,

Elizabeth

Dr. Elizabeth Carll
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
UN NGO Committee on Mental Health
Communications Coordination Committee for the UN
Tel: 1631-754-2424
Fax: 1631-754-5032
ecarll at optonline.net

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org]On
Behalf Of Laina Raveendran Greene
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 5:38 PM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: RE: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Shirin Ebadi Nomination - Deadline for
supports

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Dear Elisabeth,

I have been watching your postings and those of Sylvia with interest.I am a
mother  of a child with learning disabilities, (he has central auditory
processing disorder and it took almost 5 to 7 years to get him diagnosed and
get the right help). Whilst he qualifies under the Disabilities Act, there
is lack of funding to get the necessary help he needs to cope with his type
of disability.

I guess if there is some way to further distinguish what is meant by "mental
health" into a category of the level of a disability, as opposed to just
people living in abundance facing depression etc, that this may help. Rather
than clumping 80% of people in US together with metal and physical
disability may dilute the funding available to those who needs it most.

Again, I have no clear side on this, but I see this issue from being a
mother and knowing that funds are limited forthis kind of help too.

Best Regards,
Laina

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] On Behalf
Of Elizabeth Carll, PhD
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 10:50 PM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: RE: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Shirin Ebadi Nomination - Deadline for
supports

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Dear All,

I am including my expanded response from the plenary list below as it will
further clarify.

-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Carll, PhD [mailto:ecarll at optonline.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 4:48 PM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: RE: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Shirin Ebadi Nomination - Deadline for
supports

Hi Sylvia,

Yes, we have had this discussion and we appear to have a difference of
opinion.  By including mental health, which as we have discussed includes
all people, not only those with disabilities, it will insure funding and
resources via ICT.

While I can understand your concern, in reality, the allocation of resources
will be determined by parity in funding  and not by perceived
discrimination.  If it is not included in documents, it is usually not
included in funding and in the allocation of often limited resources.

In fact, according to a recent poll by the American Psychological
Association, 87 percent of Americans say that it is the lack of insurance
coverage that most keeps them from seeing a mental health professional, not
stigma or embarrassment.  The same poll revealed that 85 percent of
Americans think that health insurance should cover mental health services.

Please cite the research which shows that making provisions for parity in
access to mental health information and services results in discrimination
against people with psychosocial disabilities.  I would think quite the
opposite.

Elizabeth

Dr. Elizabeth Carll
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; UN NGO Committee on
Mental Health; Communications Coordination Committee for the UN

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org]On
Behalf Of Sylvia Caras
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 4:22 PM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Shirin Ebadi Nomination - Deadline for
supports

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At 12:45 PM 10/16/05, Elizabeth Carll, PhD wrote:
>Both physical and mental health is a basic human right, yet often
>mental health services is viewed as disconnected from health services.

Elizabeth and I have this conversation in many places.

Separating out mental health always results in discrimination against people
with psychosocial disabilities.  It feels like we, the people for whom the
right is urged, don't matter at all.

Sylvia

Sylvia Caras, PhD
Information Technology Consultant to the International Disability Alliance`

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