Stronger Together

Dear Disability Community and Parents of Children with Disabilities,

My heart is heavy as I write this. I debated long and hard about what to write; it is clear we are under attack. Yesterday, listening to the President of the United States blame the crash on us was a lot. I wrote a whole statement directly to those that spew hate, and deleted it and decided to write to you instead.

The loss of 67 precious lives in Wednesday’s aircraft collision is horrible. I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished, including the passengers, crew members, and military personnel. I also acknowledge the profound impact this tragedy has had on the first responders, search and rescue teams, and all those who witnessed this horrific event.

When I watched live as President Trump used this devastating loss of life to attack disabled people, to attack DEI initiatives, and to perpetuate harmful stereotypes about intelligence and capability, I felt rage and heartbreak. We must name this for what it is: a calculated attempt to weaponize ableism and racism against our communities.

To my white disabled community members and white parents of disabled children: we cannot remain silent about the intersectional nature of these attacks. The rhetoric about “intelligence,” stated over and over during the press conference on the crash and linking it to DEI hiring causing the crash isn’t just ableist – it’s part of a long history of racist and sexist narratives that demand women and people of color constantly prove their worth, while holding them to impossible standards where any mistake or disagreement becomes “proof” of their supposed incompetence. This is how systemic oppression works, and we must rise united against it.

The facts are clear. As reported by NPR, qualified people with disabilities have long been hired across federal agencies, including during Trump’s own administration. The suggestion that hiring disabled people or maintaining diverse workplaces somehow compromises safety is not only false – it’s a deliberate attempt to divide us and deny our humanity.

This harmful rhetoric comes at a particularly concerning time. Just days before this tragedy, this administration attempted to freeze funding for 2,600 federal programs under the guise of reviewing “DEI initiatives.” This was an attack on vital services that keep our communities alive: disability services, veterans’ support, domestic violence prevention, and so much more. They tried to use fear of difference to justify dismantling the very programs that support our right to live independently and with dignity in our communities.

But we have power together. We must not let them divide us. We must not let them use this tragedy to attack our communities. We must not let them make us doubt ourselves. We are stronger than their tactics of division.

The disability community has always known that diversity makes us stronger. We know that different ways of thinking, moving, and being in the world are valuable. When specifically talking about employment, we know qualified individuals with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities and mental health disabilities, contribute vital skills and perspectives to every workplace.

Yesterday, disability organizations across our nation spoke out forcefully against this hateful rhetoric. The Arc, AAPD, Access Living, and many others joined together in condemning these baseless attacks on our community. You are not alone in this fight – our collective voice is powerful and growing stronger.

As disability advocates have always said: nothing about us, without us. We must continue to unite to fight these attacks. And we must hold ALL representatives accountable – not just those making harmful statements, but also those who remain silent in the face of this discrimination. I urge you to reach out to your representatives, regardless of their party affiliation. Let them know that their silence equals complicity. Share your stories, your experiences, and your demands for respect and dignity.

We must support each other, amplify each other’s voices, and refuse to let tragedy be used as a weapon against our communities. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, whether you’re a disabled person or a parent fighting for your child’s future, know that you’re not alone. We are stronger together.

With solidarity and determination,

Theresa Metzmaker

Executive Director of Michigan Disability Rights Coalition