Upon first glance, it may seem that disability organizations fighting for policies that would benefit and help people living with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. However, as one looks closer, it is clear that movement will not help people living with serious mental illness or are managing developmental and intellectual disabilities.

There is a vast difference between people with physical disabilities, those with varying degrees of intellectual disabilities, and those living with serious mental illness. Supports, services, and policies that may seem to undermine a person’s human rights do undermine the rights of those with physical disabilities and some developmental disabilities, but they are also extremely important to maintaining the wellness of a person with serious mental illness and intellectual disabilities.

Here are a couple articles that have been published in the past year that provide more details about what is not being addressed by disability rights groups.

• Disability Rights Groups Should Accept Schizophrenia (Susan Inman)
• Against “Community” (Amy S.F. Lutz)