ADVOCACY UPDATE: ACA Activist Advocating Against Job Discrimination
Dave Dunville, one of the leaders of the Michigan campaign for prosthetic coverage, is actively advocating for amputees' right to serve as firefighters.

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Several articles and news stories were put out this week about Isaac Feliciano, an amputee from Paterson, New Jersey who is fighting the city's decision to pass him over for other applicants to the fire department.  

 

Like anyone who has survived an accident or illness, amputees just want to get back to work and live their lives.  They want to be able to take care of their families.   If they are able to do the job, whether it is being a firefighter or a school teacher, they should be allowed to go back to their position. 

 

The Herald News article includes a quote from Dave Dunville, the national director for the Amputee Firefighter Association.  Dave is also very active in the Michigan campaign for prosthetic coverage.  He has been meeting with legislators, reaching out to fellow activists and really pushing hard to get a coverage bill introduced in the state legislature this year!

 

It is unfortunate that so many amputees are not only facing discrimination in the workplace, but are also facing difficulty getting the insurance coverage they need for their prosthetic care!

 

Amputee's fate in hands of state, By: Alexander MacInnes, Herald NewsThursday, January 25, 2007

 

Amputee maintains he is fit to be firefighter, Associated Press, Asbury Park Press, January, 24, 2007

 

Amputee challenges city for firefighter job  By: Alexander MacInnes, Herald News, Tuesday, January 23, 2007 

 

Unkindest Cut  by: Carl Campanile, New York Post, January 22, 2007

 

One-legged man unjustly denied firefighter dream   Channel 7, ABC News Affiliate

 

Amputee fireman proud to serve community  Channel 7, ABC News Affiliate (follow-up)

Related Readings:

  • A similar article was posted in November about Brian O'Sullivan’s discrimination case in New York when he was denied the opportunity to test for the police department.

      O'Sullivan's running pushes limits to the test  By: Jane McManus, The Journal News,   October 30, 2006

 

  • Greg Malais is an exciting success story in this area of job discrimination.  After 25 years in active service as a Los Angeles, California, city firefighter, Greg Malais, found  himself fighting for his job. The case was recently decided, and the court once again sided with Malais. 

         LA Amputee Firefighter Determined to Work in the Field Again       

        By Sherry Metzger, MS   O&P EDGE, September 2006

 

 

 

 

 

  • Shaun Parker was the first amputee firefighter to return to full operational duties in the UK. 

 

 

 

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