As an organization dedicated to promoting the civil rights of people with disabilities, Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. stands in solidarity with black and brown communities seeking their basic human rights to live freely and without fear and discrimination. George Floyd is the latest and unacceptable instance of someone who was killed because of the color of his skin.
As an organization committed to ensuring the ability of people with disabilities and seniors to enjoy their basic civil rights to live in the community, we recognize that no community can be free if every community is not free. The disability community cannot move forward if people of color, able-bodied or not, are not afforded their basic human right to live in the community without the threat of racism.
People with disabilities face legitimate fears from ableism, including access to services in the community, the rationing of medical supplies because of COVID, and ableist interpretations of quality of life that influence their ability to receive life-saving treatment when necessary. We recognize that the fears of people of color, persons with disabilities and seniors are even greater because of the combination that institutional racism and ableism pose in their ability enjoy the same freedoms as the general public.
TRI is committed to working to alleviate these issues within our community and outside of it. We will be active participants in the fight for social justice for all, as impacted individuals and allies. We will work to lift voices from within impacted communities to make their voices heard in this critical moment. We reject all forms of intolerance and ask the community to stand together as we fight not just ableism, but racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and inequity and discrimination in any form it takes.