11:04pm October 7, 2013

➸ 60 Minutes Report Denounced For Disability Misinformation

andreashettle:

girljanitor:

National disability organizations have criticized a misleading CBS News 60 Minutes report on Social Security disability which relied on anecdotal evidence to deceptively portray the vital program as wasteful and unsustainable, despite the fact that award rates fell during the recession and that fraud is less than one percent of the program.

On October 6, 60 Minutes stoked fears that the Social Security Disability Insurance program is “ravaged by waste and fraud,” relying on Senator Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) partisan investigation and anecdotal evidence to hype growth in the program while misleadingly claiming that it “could become the first government benefits program to run out of money.”

In response, organizations that advocate for and support people with disabilities nationwide have criticized the report. Rebecca Vallas, co-chair of the Social Security Task Force at the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities — a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations — told Media Matters the coverage was “sensational” and did a “tremendous disservice” to people with disabilities:

The recent 60 Minutes broadcast is just the latest in an array of sensational and misleading media reports that have perpetuated myths and stereotypes about the Social Security disability programs and the people they help. These media reports do a tremendous disservice to viewers as well as to people with disabilities. Any misuse of these vital programs is unacceptable; however it is unfortunate and disappointing when media reports mislead their viewers by painting entire programs with the brush of one or a few bad apples, without putting them in the context of the millions of individuals who receive benefits appropriately, and for whom they are a vital lifeline — as well as the many disability advocates around the country who work hard to protect the rights of individuals with significant disabilities and serious illnesses who have been wrongly denied Social Security disability benefits.

Because apparently we don’t get shit on enough.

Signal boost.

A similar campaign of misinformation from the media in the UK has intensified negative attitudes, harassment, and even hate crime against people with disabilities there. I am worried about the possibility of seeing the same thing happen in the U.S. We need to be vigilant.

Yes. We do.