Blind folks and child care

In Colorado, this story (via Sam):

Christine and Thomas Hutchinson can open their day-care center after all, if the state doesn't appeal a judge's ruling that their blindness can't prevent them from obtaining a state license.... The state Department of Human Services had denied the couple a license to operate a day-care center in March 2004, solely because both of them are blind, administrative law Judge Matthew E. Norwood said in an opinion signed May 4.

The department denied the application, despite a list of nine conditions proposed by the Hutchinsons to accommodate their disabilities, including limiting their center to four children, modifying their home so children couldn't leave without permission, preparing with parents instructions in Braille for dispensing children's medications, having cell phone contact with parents available, and having sighted people attend field trips and help with paperwork.

This case of blind people being considered incapable of caring for children isn't unique. In December of 2004, California Child Protective Services attempted to take custody of the newborn boy of Marco and Adeline Zepeda after the couple had made inquiries at the hospital about home health care services. The full account of their ordeal and the 2004 case of Alabama's Tyrone and Pianne Jordan were covered by the National Federation of the Blind as a worrisome new trend in state agencies. Along with the apparent unwillingness to consider blind adults as capable and responsible parents, these two previous accounts reek of classism and racism as well.

As for the Hutchinsons, the state of Colorado has not yet said whether they will appeal the judge's ruling.