One of our Houston Social Security disability clients finally got his checks started a few weeks ago. He was talking with our office, and he asked attorney Matthew Stewart about Matt’s thoughts on Sonia Sotomayor and whether she would be sensitive to the needs and concerns of those suffering from a disability. Michelle Diament has written about Sotomayor for disabilityscoop, and we will share a few of her salient points here. As Sotomayor approaches a final vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee to be appointed to the Supreme Court, disability attorneys are watching for her confirmation closely. Sotomayor, as many are aware, is a diabetic, and according to a number of disability groups, has the requisite respect for and understanding of the rights of persons with disabilities.
A coalition of disability groups supportive of Sotomayor’s confirmation include the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Autism Society of America, the National Council on Independent Living, the National Disability Rights Network, and the National Down Syndrome Society. Sotomayor has ruled on cases involving areas relevant to the disabled, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Social Security, and Medicaid. Robert Bernstein, the executive director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, believes Sotomayor will likely continue to judge with both understanding and respect for those with physical and mental disabilities.
We hope Sotomayor is confirmed.
