Department of Disability Services Faulted for Rejecting Disabled Man

The Post's Petula Dvorak is reporting that the city is taking critcism for failing to help a 65-year-old disabled man, who later died. Here's how the story begins:

"Mr. Johnson" badly burned himself trying to cook. He showed up at his medical appointments with roaches on him. He had difficulty using the toilet and rarely took his medicines.

But for years, the 65-year-old was deemed ineligible for help by the District agency that cares for mentally and physically disabled residents. For bureaucratic reasons, he officially didn't exist.

This February, the District finally approved funding for him.

It was for his burial.

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) has called a news conference later today to announce an investigation into how the city's Department of Disability Services takes on new clients. Last week, when asked about the case of Mr. Johnson, Fenty's spokesperson said Acting Attorney General Peter Nickles was reviewing the case.

(Read the full story here.)