Building a movement at the intersections.
Ending victimization, criminalization and incarceration of people with disabilities and Deaf people.
We believe disability, survivor advocacy, and criminal legal system reform fields play critical roles in securing freedom and safety for people with disabilities and Deaf people. Yet, none of these fields are currently working to systematically address the high rates of victimization, over-policing and over-incarceration of people with disabilities. These fields are disconnected, often mis-aligned, and lack the capacity needed to work together toward collective impact.
We foster alignment, build capacity, and support greater coordination across these social justice movements to realize our goals of freedom and healing – not harm and punishment - for people with disabilities and Deaf people.
Building Pathways to Safety and Healing
People with disabilities and Deaf people experience victimization at alarming rates: 3 - 5 times higher than people without disabilities. Yet, the vast majority of people with disabilities never receive services to support healing from trauma due to systemic barriers in victim services and disability services.
Expanding Deaf Services and Advocacy
Despite high rates of domestic and sexual violence within Deaf communities, Deaf survivors face systemic barriers that often prevent them from getting the help they need from hearing victim services organizations. For Deaf, by Deaf services - services designed and run by members of Deaf communities - effectively serve Deaf survivors, but they only exist in a small handful of communities across the country.
Ending Criminalization and Incarceration
People of color with disabilities and Deaf people are arrested and incarcerated in the U.S. at disproportionately high rates. But, disability and Deaf communities have largely been ignored by movements to end mass incarceration. It is time to center people with disabilities and Deaf people, and end their criminalization and mass incarceration.
Healing and Dignity Behind and Beyond Bars
For people with disabilities in jail or prison, life is particularly harsh, difficult, and isolating. The impacts of these traumas on people with disabilities who have been incarcerated are far ranging and can last a lifetime. They are especially acute for Black and brown people with disabilities.
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