Guiding Principles Based in Disability Justice
We have been tasked with visioning and building a world where everyone is empowered to live their best life without fear of policing, discrimination, violence, or isolation. All of us must participate if we are going to build sustainable communities that can survive the political, environmental, and social storms surrounding us globally–communities where we can exist as our whole selves without fear.
The call “we keep us safe” reminds us that solutions should empower all people, including Disabled and Neurodivergent people, to exercise our self-determination with care and understanding. We all deserve the resources, support, training and education we need to love and protect ourselves and one another.
Following the Principles of Disability Justice outlined by Sins Invalid, we propose these principles for alternatives to policing and incarceration:
1. Leadership by Our Most Impacted
- Policies, practices and principles must be created by the people most harmed by the systems of policing and control. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach that works for all people impacted by ableism and sanism, and solutions need to meet people where they are.
- All initiatives must be non-coercive and done with consent of the person who needs support, care, or de-escalation.
- Peer-led and -initiated [...]