Center for Racial and Disability Justice

Final slide titled “Learn More.” Text reads: “Check out our MAiD toolkit at CRDJustice.org/maid.” Below is a list of references, including works by Caldwell (2025), Cheyfitz (1999), Emanuel (1994), Ten Have and Patrão Neves (2021), and Rothman (2003). An arrow graphic points toward the link.

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Slide with large concluding statement. Text reads: “MAiD policies are shaped by history. Understanding that history helps guide better decisions today.” Illustration shows a person holding a heart over their chest.

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Slide titled “Why This History Still Matters.” Text reads: “MAiD policy today is built on this legacy. Understanding the past helps us ask better questions about equity, protection, and choice in end-of-life care. Think about: who has real choices at the end of life?” Illustration shows a person standing at a crossroads with directional signs.

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Slide titled “False Choice & Structural Inequity.” Text reads: “Some call it ‘new eugenics.’ Poor, disabled, and marginalized people may face pressure — not autonomy. Calls grow for stronger safeguards and inclusive policy.” Illustration shows a house of cards structure.

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Slide titled “Rising Justice Concerns.” Text reads: “Disability advocates warn: MAiD may reinforce ableism. Critics ask: Is death offered where care is denied? Access often shaped by race, disability, class, and geography.” Illustration shows a diverse group of people protesting and holding signs.

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Slide titled “Expansion of MAiD Laws.” Text reads: “2008: Washington legalizes MAiD. 2009: Montana allows MAiD via court ruling. 2013–2021: MAiD laws pass in VT, CA, CO, DC, HI, NJ, NM. Other countries, like Canada, influence U.S. debates with broader eligibility laws.” Illustrations of colorful balloons appear at the bottom.

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Slide titled “2000s–present.” Text reads: “More states legalized MAiD, ostensibly giving patients greater control at the end of life. But with growth came new ethical questions, especially around equity and access.” A timeline graphic below highlights major MAiD laws, including: 1997 – Oregon Death with Dignity Act; 2008 – Washington Death with Dignity Act; 2009 – Montana Baxter v. Montana; 2013 – Vermont Patient Choice and Control at the End of Life Act; 2015 – California End of Life Option Act; 2016 – Colorado End of Life Options Act and District of Columbia Death with Dignity Act; 2019 – Hawai‘i Our Care, Our Choice Act, New Jersey Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act, and Maine Death with Dignity Act; 2021 – New Mexico Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act.

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Slide titled “Where MAiD Debates Begin.” Text reads: “Contemporary MAiD debates go back over 100 years. They reflect more than just medicine: they echo shifts in law, ethics, and social values.” Illustration shows a person speaking through a megaphone.

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Slide with large quote. Text reads: “The history of MAiD is the story of who society deems worthy of care.” Illustration at the bottom shows a diverse group of people standing in a line, including older adults, children, and adults of different appearances.

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Title slide with CRDJ branding. Text reads: “Center for Racial and Disability Justice. U.S. MAiD Discourse: A Brief History. Part III of III: 2000s–present. Eva Spin, CRDJ Fellow.” Dark blue background with large light-blue text and a circular arrow icon indicating to continue.

Since the 2000s, more U.S. states have legalized MAiD, expanding end-of-life options while raising questions about equity and access.

Explore this thread on how MAiD debates evolved—and why this history matters for equity, protection, & choice in end-of-life care.

More: CRDJustice.org/maid [1/10]

Excited to share this new blog!

I’ve been thinking about how mental health crisis response is framed as a service or policing question, but less often examined through a spatial justice lens. This piece is a starting point for applying that lens to crisis response. Would love to hear thoughts!

Graphic featuring a large white dome surveillance camera mounted indoors in the foreground, with a blurred transit or shopping concourse in the background where several people are walking or standing. Overlaid text reads “Mental Health Crisis Response Through a Spatial Lens.” The CRDJ logo appears in the top left corner, and at the bottom it reads “by Jordyn Jensen” alongside the Medium logo.

Mental health crises do not unfold on neutral terrain. Our new blog, “Understanding Mental Health Crisis Response Through a Spatial Lens,” examines how segregation, disinvestment, & crisis infrastructure shape exposure, interpretation, & institutional pathways.

crdjustice.medium.com/understandin...

“In the last year, it’s gotten a lot worse” A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers to Disability Benefits in 2025 - DREDF The Mobility Device User Survey (MDUS) reported here was stimulated by reports from mobility device users of the many problems, limitations, and long waits associated with the process of acquiring a m...

I'm thrilled to announce a new report I wrote with @ksavin.bsky.social and @calliefreitag.bsky.social on the impact of DOGE/Trump 2.0 turmoil on Social Security disability programs.

As the title says, these programs have always been tough to navigate. But in the last year, they've gotten worse.

Idaho considers an 'apocalyptic' choice for disabled people and families Difficult budget decisions in a number of states are threatening vital programs for disabled people at home and caregivers in the workforce.

Back last year, Thom Tillis warned a group of us reporters that the One Big, Beautiful Bill would force states to cut home and community-based services. @slooterman.bsky.social reports how that is happening in Idaho. 19thnews.org/2026/03/idah...

This is what happens when border militarization eclipses civil rights enforcement and due process. Disabled immigrants are entitled to ADA compliance, meaningful language access & constitutional protections backed by independent oversight and real consequences. Access is not optional. It’s the law.

Nurul Amin Shah Alam crossed oceans to flee unimaginable violence, only to die here — where he should have been safe.

The cruelty is endless.

A pink slide titled “Stay Connected!” The text reads: “From policy analysis and research reports to educational toolkits, blogs, and public comment letters, our work advances racial and disability justice across systems. Follow our work for upcoming research, analysis, and events! Explore Our Work at: CRDJustice.org/resources.” The CRDJ logo appears at the bottom. Footer reads “CRDJustice.org | 9.”

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A light blue slide titled “Upcoming Event: AMSA Conference Presentation.” The text reads: “CRDJ will present at the 2026 Alternative Mobile Services Association Virtual Conference (March 2–3), sharing findings on national trends in alternative mental health crisis response. Jordyn Jensen will present alongside William Juhn (New York Lawyers for the Public Interest), drawing on forthcoming collaborative research with Human Rights Watch and NYLPI examining non-police crisis response programs.” Below are two speaker graphics labeled “Session Speaker” featuring Jordyn Jensen (Center for Racial and Disability Justice) and William Juhn (New York Lawyers for the Public Interest). Footer reads “CRDJustice.org | 8.”

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A brown slide titled “Upcoming Event: Disability Day of Mourning.” The text reads: “CRDJ is collaborating with the Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, UIC Disability Cultural Center, Access Living, the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network, and the National Council on Independent Living for the Chicago Disability Day of Mourning vigil on March 2, 2026 (5:00–6:30 PM) at the UIC Disability Cultural Center and on Zoom, honoring the lives of disabled people killed by family members and caregivers.” Below is a sunset skyline graphic reading “Disability Day of Mourning – Mar. 2, 2026 | 5 PM – UIC Disability Cultural Center – On Zoom.” Footer reads “CRDJustice.org | 7.”

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A pink slide titled “Trump Triple Take.” The text reads: “We released a new analysis introducing the ‘Trump Triple Take’—a confinement-to-cash pipeline linking Medicaid cuts, institutionalization, pay-to-stay fees, and labor extraction across prisons, psychiatric institutions, immigration detention, and long-term care.” Below is a comic-style graphic reading “Trump Triple Take – The Confinement-to-Cash Pipeline.” Footer reads “CRDJustice.org | 6.”

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A dark blue slide titled “Citation is Political.” The text reads: “We released a new educational carousel examining how citation shapes recognition, funding, knowledge production, and academic power, and why ethical citation is a core racial and disability justice practice.” Below is an image of a notebook page reading “Citation is political it has real consequences” with an illustration of a raised fist holding a pen. Footer reads “CRDJustice.org | 5.”

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A brown slide titled “MAiD History Series.” The text reads: “We launched our 3-part series on the history of U.S. Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) discourse, with Parts I and II examining early eugenics influences and later patient rights debates. Part III coming next month!” Below are two graphics: “U.S. MAiD Discourse: A Brief History – Part I of III: Late 19th Century–1950s” and “U.S. MAiD Discourse: A Brief History – Part II of III: 1960s–1990s,” both credited to Eva Spin, CRDJ Fellow. Footer reads “CRDJustice.org | 4.”

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A blue slide titled “Research & Publications.” The text reads: “We published new writing on how immigration enforcement produces disability through detention, medical neglect, and coercive control, alongside a research brief examining how exclusionary discipline and carceral practices shape disabled students’ experiences in education.” Below are two images: (1) “DisCrim in Education Brief – Out Now” from the Center for Racial & Disability Justice, and (2) a Medium article titled “Abolishing DHS: A Disability Justice Imperative.” Footer reads “CRDJustice.org | 3.”

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A yellow slide titled “Black History Month & Disability Justice.” The text reads: “We highlighted how Black history and disability justice are deeply intertwined, centering Black leadership, the intersections of race and disability, and the structural forces of racism and ableism that shape systems of harm and resistance.” Below is a graphic reading “Black History Month & Disability Justice” with red, yellow, green, and black Pan-African colors and patterned borders. Footer reads “CRDJustice.org | 2.”

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A pink background slide with large dark red text reading “February at CRDJ” and a light blue circle with “2026.” Below is a 3x3 grid preview of the month’s highlights, including slides titled: “Black History Month & Disability Justice,” “DisCrim in Education Brief – Out Now,” “Abolishing DHS: A Disability Justice Imperative,” “U.S. MAID Discourse: A Brief History (Parts I & II),” “Citation is Political,” “Trump Triple Take: The Confinement-to-Cash Pipeline,” “Disability Day of Mourning,” and “AMSA Conference Presentation.”

February at CRDJ: A Recap ✨

From new research and educational resources to public analysis and upcoming events, February was full of critical work advancing racial & disability justice.

Check out this thread for highlights of what we’ve been building and publishing!

CRDJustice.org/resources [1/9]

Alice Wong's Celebration of life March 25th, 2026 11am PST This toolkit is an invitation and a resource for individuals and communities to participate in Alice Wong's Celebration of Life. Be it from bed, your living room, local community center, classroom, or in the streets... You can join Alice's Celebration of Life through: * The livestream + virtual reception: Join the livestream and gather for the virtual reception hosted by Calling UP Justice & San Francisco Disability Cultural Center. * In-person livestream watch + your own gathering: host an in-person gathering to join the livestream and connect in person to celebrate Alice. * Detailed Toolkit with links, photos, and resources to make your gathering accessible, plus ways to honor Alice Wong's legacy: https://bit.ly/aliceislove

Final teal slide titled “Learn More.” Text reads: “Check out our MAiD toolkit at CRDJustice.org/maid.” Below is a references list citing works by Caldwell; Cheyfitz; Emanuel; Ten Have and Patrão Neves; and Rothman. A large arrow graphic points toward the link. “CRDJustice.org | 10” appears at bottom right.

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Teal slide with large navy text: “MAiD policies are shaped by history. Understanding that history helps guide better decisions today.” A small illustration at bottom shows a person holding a heart. “CRDJustice.org | 9” appears at top right.

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Teal slide titled “Why This History Still Matters.” Text reads: “MAiD policy today is built on this legacy. Understanding the past helps us ask better questions about equity, protection, and choice in end-of-life care. Think about: who has real choices at the end of life?” An illustration shows a person standing at a directional signpost. “CRDJustice.org | 8” appears at top right.

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Teal slide titled “Who Was Heard? Who Was Missing?” Text reads: “Public cases centered on White, middle-class families. Disabled and racialized voices were often ignored. Structural inequalities shaped who had real choices.” Illustration shows three people holding a “Not Dead Yet — The Resistance” sign. “CRDJustice.org | 7” appears at top right.

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