Great Books

Title: Unequal Rights : Discrimination Against People With Mental Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Author: Susan Stefan, JD
Publication Date: October 2000
Format: Hardcover, 405 Pages
ISBN: 1-55798-681-9

Prices:
List: $49.95 through American Psychological Association (Item # 431637A)
List: $31.47 through www.amazon.com Lower prices exist on Amazon for used versions of the book

Synopsis: This provocative book illustrates how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has failed to alleviate discrimination against people with mental disabilities. Rich in descriptions of court cases and disability law, Susan Stefan shows how the ADA has been applied in a wide range of areas, such as employment, insurance, medical care, education, and professional licensing. Throughout, Stefan, a professor of law, intertwines moving first person accounts with a wealth of hard to find information (complaints under the ADA court settlements, opinion letters, and testimony from Congressional hearings).

This book features a unique survey compiled by the author that compellingly describes how people with mental disabilities experience discrimination. Stefan discovered two groups: Those who are part of the American mainstream and who report that people often refuse to believe their struggles, and those who are publicly identified as "mentally ill" and who are considered incapable of any type of achievement. 448 Pages.

The author persuasively argues that America's current economic, legal, and social structures cannot accommodate the truth that mental disability is a continuing struggle that can - and often does - coexist with achievement and success. This bold and challenging book is an ideal resource for lawyers, people with mental disabilities, therapists, and anyone who seeks to understand the full impact of disability law.

Title: Hollow Promises : Employment Discrimination Against People With Mental Disabilities
Author: Susan Stefan, J.D.
Publication Date: November 2001
Format: Hardcover, 261 Pages
ISBN: 1-55798-792-0

Prices:
List: $49.95 through American Psychological Association (Item # 431662A)
List: $32.97 through www.amazon.com Lower prices exist on Amazon for used versions of the book

Synopsis: Although passed into law with high expectations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has mostly failed in enabling those with mental disabilities to fight discrimination in the workplace. In Hollow Promises, Susan Stefan explores the reasons for this failure and points to how the courts, government, and employers may finally make good on the ADA's seemingly hollow promises. This book identifies the difficulties that people with mental disabilities may have in finding and keeping employment and how the ADA has affected this problem. Those with mental disabilities, like most people, want to work to support themselves and find respect and personal fulfillment. But because of deep-rooted prejudices against those with disabilities, obtaining and holding a job can be an epic task. Filled with detailed descriptions of employment cases and sharp analysis of the law, this provocative book is essential reading for lawyers, employers, therapists, people with mental disabilities, and all those seeking just employment practice.

Who is Susan Stefan?
Susan Stefan is an attorney with the Center for Public Representation in Newton, Massachusetts. She is one of the country's most highly regarded experts in mental disability law. She received her J.D. from Stanford Law School. From 1986 until 1990, she worked for the Mental Health Law Project, which is now called the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. A professor of law at the University of Miami Law School from 1990 until 2001, she taught mental health and disability law. Susan has published two books, Unequal Rights: Discrimination Against People With Mental Disabilities and the Americans With Disabilities Act and Hollow Promises: Employment Discrimination Against People With Mental Disabilities, as well as contributing chapters to others and publishing numerous law review articles. She has litigated a number of ADA cases, including Ellen S. v. Florida Board of Bar Examiners, 859 F. Supp. 1489 (S.D. Fla. 1994) and Doe v. Stincer, 990 F. Supp, 1427 (S.D. Fla. 1997), vacated by Doe v. Stincer, 175 F. F.3d 879 (11th Cir. 1999). Susan occasionally offers her very popular workshop updating and summarizing legal decisions that have impact upon persons diagnosed with mental disabilities. A long-time National Association Rights Protection Advocacy (NARPA) member and supporter, and former President of NARPA's board, Susan is a sought-after speaker, presenter, litigator, and teacher.