Jeff Peters

A Statement from CIDNY on the Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States

We are deeply troubled by the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. We are extremely concerned about the impact that her addition to the Supreme Court will have on people with disabilities. We fear that advances made, over the last forty years, can be taken from us and our lives put at risk.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett has shown a willingness to endorse government discrimination against people with disabilities. Her dissent in a decision about the public charge rule said that placing additional burdens on people with disabilities is reasonable and not in conflict with longstanding disability rights law (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act). She has also joined an opinion that exclusion of children with disabilities from school districts, based on their educational needs, is not in conflict with the ADA and Section 504.

Her views contrast sharply with those of late United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Justice Ginsburg authored and joined in the majority on decisions interpreting the Americans with Disabilities Act and other matters that have had a profound impact on our lives. For example, she authored the decision in Olmstead v L.C. which held that people with disabilities have the right to receive services in the most integrated setting.

One of the first cases that Justice Coney Barrett will hear as a member of the Supreme Court of the United States is on the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare or ACA). Judge Barrett claims to be “not hostile” towards the ACA but her past opinions have shown otherwise. The ACA has improved for people with disabilities. It protects against discrimination in health care and on the basis of pre-existing conditions. It includes coverage for mental health, the ACA has helped people live on their own, out of institutions, and thrive.

We strongly opposed the nomination and joined other disability groups in urging the Senate to oppose her nomination. We disagree with the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. We expect to face the imposition of new roadblocks to equality for people with disabilities resulting from Amy Coney Barrett’s addition to the Supreme Court. We will continue to fight for the rights of people with disabilities. We will not go back.

A Statement on the Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

On September 18, 2020, we lost a true pioneer of justice and equality with the passing of fellow New Yorker, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. RBG, as she had come to affectionately be known, was well known for fighting against sexism, fighting for gender equality, and was a strong ally for disability rights.

As a Supreme Court Justice, Ginsburg authored the majority opinion in the Olmstead v. L. C. (1999) case, affirming the right of individuals with disabilities to live in the community stating:

“Recognition that unjustified institutional isolation of persons with disabilities is a form of discrimination reflects two evident judgments. First, institutional placement of persons who can handle and benefit from community settings perpetuates unwarranted assumptions that persons so isolated are incapable or unworthy of participating in community life… Second, confinement in an institution severely diminishes the everyday life activities of individuals, including family relations, social contacts, work options, economic independence, educational advancement, and cultural enrichment.”

CIDNY along with countless others across the nation and indeed the world mourns the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

2020 Census: Get Counted NYC!

The U.S. Census happens every ten years and is used to help allocate budgets and resources for communities. It’s more important than ever to make sure that we are counted. That YOU are counted. You can take our census pledge and get counted here: http://www.cidny.org/census/ and complete the census at https://2020census.gov/.

We’ve asked some staff and friends to explain why getting counted matters. Please take a moment to watch the videos below.

A Message From CIDNY On Recent Events

CIDNY grieves the loss of George Floyd and so many others who have died at the hands of racists, including police. We condemn the racist threat directed at Chris Cooper in Central Park. We condemn the day-to-day racist aggressions that are not caught on cell phones. These deaths and threats are painful, shameful, and all too frequent. And, they have deep roots in U.S. history.

Protests and civil disobedience in the fight for civil rights are part of CIDNY’s history and current practice. We are proud that our organization reflects that history, seeks to mirror the diversity of our community, and includes and supports the leadership of people with disabilities who are Black, Latino/a, and Asian-American in the community and on our Board and staff. Fighting for equal rights is fundamental to all the work we do.

Every day in our work we witness the impact of racism and ableism in the lives of the people we serve. We see education, employment, health, and housing disparities among people with disabilities based on race as well as disparities between people with disabilities and those with no disability. We seek each day to eradicate inequality through the work that we do. In this pandemic, we have pointed policymakers to the higher death rates in black communities and urged allocation of resources to reflect the higher need. We educate the public and policymakers about the double burden of racism and ableism.

We applaud and join with people who seek racial justice. We are grateful for the outpouring of statements made by our allies denouncing racism. We support efforts to dismantle the institutional racism that devastates our lives and communities. We need to work together to transform our society. We hear you and we offer our support.