TASH Resolution on Condemning Violence, Discrimination, and Hateful Rhetoric Towards People with Disabilities

Adopted June 6, 2017

Rationale

Whereas the victims of hate crimes and rhetoric have faced physical, verbal, and emotional abuse because they have a disability;

Whereas the unalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is a cherished United States value and violence or hate speech towards any United States community is in contravention of the Nation’s founding principles;

Whereas there are millions of people with disabilities in the United States;

Whereas this community is recognized as having made innumerable contributions to the United States;

Whereas hateful and intolerant acts against people with disabilities are contrary to the United States values of acceptance and fellowship to all people;

Whereas there has been a rise in ending the lives of people with disabilities either passively (through neglect or failure to treat a medical condition) or through active eugenic practices (including so-called “mercy-killing” and practices which may involve coercing the person into agreeing to have his or her life ended;

Whereas these acts affect not only the individual victims but also their families, communities, and others with disabilities; and

Whereas the rise of hateful speech, violence, and ignorance too often has led to eugenic practices, and can encourage certain individuals to react in extreme and violent ways ignoring the contributions and progress made by all.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT TASH, an international advocacy association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates and people who work in the disability field

  • steadfastly confirms its dedication to the rights and dignity of all people with disability;
  • denounces the intimidation, violence, discrimination, abuse, and other hate crimes targeted against people with disabilities;
  • declares that the civil rights and civil liberties of all United States citizens, including people with disabilities, should be protected and preserved;
  • implores communities to provide the full range of economic and social resources needed to support the self-determination and wellbeing of the person with a disability, including readily available, nonjudgmental help and support in times of crisis;
  • urges local and Federal law enforcement authorities to work to prevent hate crimes; and to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those perpetrators of hate crimes; and
  • calls for local and Federal law enforcement authorities to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, those perpetrators of crimes directed at individuals based on their disability.