Thread by @SarahUnsicker

Every year, people with disabilities die at the hands of their parents.

These deaths are often considered "justifiable" because of difficulties caring for the children.

When Republicans talk about #ParentalRights, ask whose rights they're putting first.
autisticadvocacy.org/projects/commu…

Folks, we need to have a serious conversation about how we talk about and treat disabled people in this country and this state.

Because when anyone thinks it is ok for a public figure to disparage someone because of their disability, we have problems.

https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1587005485902974976?t=8CpRUdDugII-w7LBWKDgYg&s=19

First, I said "disabled people" instead of "people with disabilities" intentionally.

Some in the disabled community prefer "identity-first" language. Ppl who talk about the disability community talk about "person-first" language.

Who should we listen to? autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/ide…

So I use both person-first and identity-first language when talking about the community.

When talking about an individual, ask that person what they prefer. aucd.org/template/page.…

But this just scratches the surface. I had a real problem with this statement when I read it--because it focuses on the caregiver rather than the child with disabilities.

Folks, if you are a caregiver, the person's disability is not about you.

https://twitter.com/SarahUnsicker/status/1402666677138038790

And it shouldn't take raising your differently-abled child to see the "inherent beauty and dignity in all life."

In fact, it is our leadership's inability to see "inherent beauty and dignity in all life" that leads to
* criminalization of homelessness
* lax gun laws
* mental health stigma
* criminalization of addiction
* deaths in prison
...

I'll bring this around to kids. To my knowledge, Missouri is the only state that has state-run (rather than district-run) schools for people with disabilities.

And if the abuse detailed in this thread happened, it would be far from an isolated event-and generally accepted.

https://twitter.com/SarahUnsicker/status/1569446372616851456

When non-disabled people don't see people with disabilities in society, it becomes acceptable to exclude them from everyday life.

Every person has a right to participate in society.

Unlike most countries, the US has not ratified the UN Convention on Persons with Disabilities which has its purpose to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.
un.org/development/de…

We have signed it, but it is not enacted into law. un.org/disabilities/d…

.@WaggonerJackie pointed me to this facility. pcdcmena.com

The first thought I had was, "how much do they pay their employees?"

Because subminimum wage for people with disabilities is a thing.

Services and supports are good. Slave labor is bad.

Let me explain that a bit. The US allows 14(c) wages for people with disabilities - that allows them to be paid less than minimum wage.

The thought behind this is to pay people according to their productivity.

But I have a problem when people make 6-figure salaries because of the labor of someone making $2/hour.

In Missouri, these are called "sheltered workshops" and are considered to be services and supports for people with disabilities.

Yes, many people with disabilities need supports to function in society. They need services to help them.

But is a job that pays less than minimum wage and is segregated from the community a "service" to them? Is it a "support"? - or is it a job?