Mitzi,
It is easy to dismiss people's real life experiences as 'paranoia', but by doing so, we allow some forms of oppression to go under the radar, rather than giving a voice to those who live through these experiences.
The social work educator colleague that I mentioned has actually seen and researched with workers regularly using these surveillance mechanisms such as long distance cameras with powerful lens in Nova Scotia, and hence my question if it is happening in other places. Since this is 'an inside scoop' that appears to be happening without the awareness or consent of those who are watched, it warrants further investigation rather than mere dismissal as being 'paranoid'.
The forms of covert surveillance which people receiving state benefits are subject to in developed countries, that you rightly explain, is not new and has been well-researched. I think it is essential not to limit ourselves to what is common knowledge; rather to unmask the surveillance systemin its entirety for its attempts to make peoples' lives transparent (and the ethics and repercussions of these forms of invasions of privacy) particularly when the system itself is not transparent or accountable. Therefore, it is essential to listen to diverse voices -- voices of those whose experiences may be different than that of the majority or different than what is public knowledge.
In this regard, thanks to those who provided further insight such as Andrea's mention of "Big Brother" watcher or surveillance from one's own neighbors (aka a 'snitch culture'). Just as we can't dismiss these responses about surveillance from one's neighbors, I don't believe it would be wise to dismiss other forms of surveillance such as those that my colleague has witnessed, both as an insider as a person with a disability and as an outsider as a social work educator.
Maria, if a behavior/action is illegal or unconstitutional, that doesn't mean it is not happening in practice. For instance, racial profiling, harassment, bullying and overt racism are not legal in Canada which promotes itself as a multicultural nation. However, one has only to peruse the news or live one's life as a racialized person to acknowledge that the reality is much different than what is on paper. As a non-white person who has experienced racism, racial profiling, hate crime and police complicity and abuse of power in Canada, I must question the statement that if something is illegal, it is not happening. What happened to Maher Arar was illegal, but it did happen nonetheless, didn't it? Maher Arar's case took time to come out in the media, but it eventually did.
In this line of reasoning, to dispel as paranoia first-hand experiences and knowledge of other-than-usual forms of surveillance of disabled people may turn out to be erroneous. What is suppressed today becomes common knowledge tommorrow...
Best wishes,
Vanmala
--- On Fri, 5/8/09, Mitzi Waltz <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> From: Mitzi Waltz <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: surveillance of people with disabilities
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Friday, May 8, 2009, 12:58 AM
> Vanmala:
> It sounds as though your colleague in Nova Scotia is being
> a bit paranoid--there aren't enough case workers, in any
> country, for all disabled people on benefits be literally
> watched 24/7 via surveillance cameras!
>
> However, in most developed countries there are systems in
> place for covert surveillance of people suspected of
> benefits fraud, and these systems are often overzealous. In
> Britain for example there are ad campaigns encouraging
> people to report benefit fraud, and particularly with
> fluctuating or invisible conditions, that means false
> reports (and malicious reports) get made and are followed
> up. This might be done by covert surveillance, but may also
> be done by calling you in for a new physical exam. There is
> also the new series of "work-directed interviews" (I think
> that's the term) for people receiving ESA, which seem to be
> designed to catch you out in a contradictory statement or
> movement.
>
> This isn't unique to people with disabilities of course,
> anyone receiving state benefits could be on the receiving
> end of unwanted attention like this--it was certainly a
> feature of California state welfare policy back when I was
> an AFDC (parent benefit) recipient in the 80s, for example.
> When case workers made a home visit they would routinely
> check your closet for men's shoes or clothes that might
> indicate a boyfriend staying over (the assumption apparently
> is that poor women are all prostitutes as if we are sleeping
> with a man he must be giving us money... VERY insulting.)
> The TANF programmes that replaced AFDC are even worse now in
> many US states, collecting and storing information about
> drug and alcohol use, sexual history and so on, requiring
> attendance at classes that instruct you in state-compliant
> behaviour, and administering drug and alcohol testing as a
> condition for receiving benefits.
>
> Welcome to the wonderful world of poverty under
> neo-liberalism--not 24/7 surveillance but enough of it to
> keep you feeling nervous all the time.
>
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