September is suicide prevention month, and grim though it may be, the disability, aging, and veterans communities are among the most likely populations to feel pressure to end their lives and, sadly, do so. In an effort to re-claim conversations about quality of life and to highlight the deficits in our nation’s current healthcare and … Continue reading Statement of Solidarity in Observance of Suicide Prevention Month
John Kelly and I both decided to add our own messages to the strong voices of disability rights advocates urging the DC Council to reject the assisted suicide bill that was the subject of the July 10th hearing before the Health & Human Services Committee. John’s testimony on behalf of Second Thoughts Massachusetts focused on … Continue reading John Kelly’s Testimony and Diane Coleman’s Letter to the DC Council Health & Human Services Committee
The disability community turned out in force to oppose an assisted suicide bill currently pending in the District of Columbia, and our help is still needed. The DC Council’s Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on the bill (B21-38) on July 10th, and NDY’s Board Chair, Anne Sommers, delivered powerful testimony. Her full … Continue reading NDY Board Chair Anne Sommers delivers powerful testimony (video)
The ADA is not dead yet, and so are we. In 1991 when I was learning the details of the Americans with Disabilities Act, in order to educate others with disabilities, business owners, governments, etc., the dates for entry into compliance of many of the law’s provisions seemed very far away. I had seen and … Continue reading Amy Hasbrouck: The ADA is Not Dead Yet and So Are We
The Albany Times Union has editorialized and reported, recently and often, in favor of New York bills to legalize assisted suicide. A letter I sent in response to one such editorial was published July 12: Assisted suicide safeguards ignored It’s hard to say whether the assisted suicide promoters featured in “A right to die with … Continue reading Coleman letter published in Albany Times Union
