York human rights ruling got it right

Re York U stigma ruling is a step backward, Jan. 16

Heather Mallick’s remarks concerning the landmark decision in the case of York University student Navi Dhanota are disappointingly misguided. Sadly, despite her underlying intent, the article reinforces a medicalized view of disability that attests to its continued marginalization and societal stigma.

While the need for disability accommodation whether in the school system or the workplace demands disclosure to varying degrees, the assessment of any individual’s needs resides not in legitimation of a medical diagnosis, but in the ways organized institutional arrangements, practices and policies create barriers to the equal treatment and participation of individuals living with disabilities.

I applaud this landmark decision in terms of its jurisprudential progress and, more importantly, in demonstrating that the rights of persons with disabilities do not reside in documented clinical labels but in the legal accommodation of differences.

To this end, the most prominent disability, unfortunately, is Mallick’s article. Andrea Vick, PhD, research associate, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto I hope Heather Mallick will reconsider her stance on this issue, as I fear articles like this are a step backward in fighting mental health stigma, discrimination and oppression in our academic settings. Lois Didyk, Toronto

Oil firms are not suffering

Re TSX sinks as oil, loonie lose ground, Jan. 19

There have been many recent articles in the Star about how the price of crude is driving down the markets, the loonie and the economy. I’m surprised that no one has commented on the boon the low cost of crude is to the big oil companies.

When crude was $100 a barrel, Esso, Shell, etc., were refining it and selling gasoline at $1.20 a litre. Now that crude is under $30 a barrel, they are refining and selling it at up to $1 a litre.

Somebody is making a lot of money. John Whitaker, Toronto