Briefly describe a critical incident from the news in the past year (California's disabled students left behind during emergencies: 'They just weren't ready for someone like me.') and how it relates to one of the Ethical Standards found within the NOHS Ethical Standards.
Explain why the ethical standard could be challenging to apply in the critical incident and how it may conflict with an HSPP’s legal obligations.
Explain which step in the human services ethical decision model (Eber, 2018) would you find most challenging if you were confronted with a similar situation. In your explanation, include who you would consult to assist in your decision-making process, and whether you think the situation requires you to err on the side of your ethical or legal obligations. Provide a rationale for your choice.
Sample Answer
The incident from the news, "California's disabled students left behind during emergencies: 'They just weren't ready for someone like me,'" highlights a critical failure in emergency preparedness that disproportionately impacts individuals with disabilities. This article details instances where students with mobility impairments were unable to evacuate buildings during emergencies because accessible evacuation chairs or alternative plans were not readily available or effectively implemented. One student, in a wheelchair, was trapped on an upper floor during a fire alarm because elevators shut down and no suitable evacuation assistance was provided.
Relation to NOHS Ethical Standards
This critical incident directly relates to NOHS Ethical Standard 10: "Human service professionals are committed to delivering services equitably, ensuring inclusion and accessibility, and respective diversity by valuing and affirming differences in age, ethnicity, culture, race, ability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, language preference, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, or other historically oppressed groups."