Disabled BIPOC: Disrupting Danger in Crisis Response
On July 16, 2022, the United States rolled out the 988 National Suicide Prevention lifeline. This nationwide hotline provides 24-hour access to people experiencing a mental health crisis or behaviors that are part of their disability.
Too often, people with disabilities in crisis have nowhere to turn and they, or family or friends, call 911, sometimes resulting in negative or escalated outcomes. Disability-related behaviors can be misunderstood by law enforcement officers who are trained to gain control and compliance on a scene but not necessarily trained to identify a disability or know how to interact or communicate with persons with disabilities.
As 988 is rolled out in states and communities across the country, we must work to ensure community-based supports are in place for all callers, including those with mental health disabilities and IDD.
On September 13, The Arc is hosting a free, virtual teach in and workshop, titled “Disabled BIPOC: Disrupting Danger in Crisis Response" to discuss the intersection of race, disability, and crisis response - what are the challenges and solutions?