Watch: The Roots of Disability Rights

Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. was proud to recently host Attorney Bob Fleischner for his presentation, “The Roots of Disability Rights: The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement and Criminal Justice Constitutional Reform.”

The presentation illustrated the connection between the early civil rights movement and criminal justice reform cases to the disability rights movement, providing an immersive history as well as a look at the future of the movements.

Nonotuck CEO/President George H. Flesichner spoke of the importance of the topic. “To provide the best possible support to the people we serve, it is essential for us to be aware of the progress made in the fight for equal rights and dignity for individuals with disabilities. This training will equip us with the knowledge of where we are in this journey, help us to comprehend the journey of advocacy, resilience, and empowerment that has shaped the lives of those we serve,” he says.

Presenter Bio

Bob Fleischner retired in 2018 after more than 45 years as a disability rights lawyer at the Center for Public Representation, a national public interest law firm in Northampton. He litigated and argued appeals in state and federal courts involving guardianship, prison conditions, solitary confinement, juvenile justice, civil commitment, involuntary treatment, and the rights of persons with disabilities to be free from institutionalization and to live in the community. Since his retirement, Bob continues to work supported decision-making and is a Senior Advisor to the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health. He is a work stream leader for the Access to Justice Knowledge Hub, an international gathering of disability advocates working to conform legal systems to the mandates of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Lexis published three editions of his treatise on Massachusetts guardianship law and he has written numerous law journal articles and book chapters about capacity, disability law, and guardianship. Bob graduated from Boston College Law School in 1973.

Fleischner retired in 2018 after more than 45 years as a disability rights lawyer at the Center for Public Representation, a national public interest law firm in Northampton. He litigated and argued appeals in state and federal courts involving guardianship, prison conditions, solitary confinement, juvenile justice, civil commitment, involuntary treatment, and the rights of persons with disabilities to be free from institutionalization and to live in the community. Since his retirement, Bob continues to work supported decision-making and is a Senior Advisor to the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health. He graduated from Boston College Law School in 1973.