In a first of its kind for Massachusetts, several disability organizations sued the city of Worcester today, alleging discrimination in how it handles 911 calls.
In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court on Monday, three organizations that work with children and adults with mental disabilities said that when someone calls 911 in Worcester for a mental health crisis — such as suicidal ideation or PTSD episodes — armed officers are the first responders. That’s a marked difference from reports of a physical health problem — heart attack, stroke or chest pain — to which the city sends EMTs and health professionals.
The plaintiffs — the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Massachusetts, NAMI of Central Massachusetts and the Parent/Professional Advocacy League of Westborough — argue the disparity amounts to a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. People with mental health disabilities, they argue, are getting unequal services…