Center for Racial and Disability Justice

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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Teal slide titled “New Rights, Old Risks.” Text reads: “Debates often assumed disabled lives had less value. ‘Autonomy’ didn’t mean equal access or safety for all. Marginalized groups faced subtle pressures to choose death.” Images include disability rights activist Paul Longmore connected to medical equipment and Diane Coleman of Not Dead Yet speaking on C-SPAN. “CRDJustice.org | 6” appears at top right.

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Teal slide titled “Shift Toward Patient Rights.” Text lists key milestones: • 1967: First “right to die” bill (Florida) • 1975: Karen Ann Quinlan case sparks national debate • 1990: Supreme Court affirms right to refuse treatment (Cruzan) • 1994: Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act legalizes assisted suicide Images include a newspaper clipping about Karen Ann Quinlan and a courtroom press scene from Cruzan v. Missouri. “CRDJustice.org | 5” appears at top right.

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Teal slide labeled “1960s–1990s.” Text reads: “MAiD debates reemerged, this time focused on autonomy and end-of-life rights. Landmark cases and advocacy began shifting control from doctors to patients.” Decorative flowers appear on the left, and an illustration shows a doctor speaking with a patient in a hospital bed and a seated support person. “CRDJustice.org | 4” appears at top right.

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Teal 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.” An illustration of a person holding a megaphone appears at bottom left. “CRDJustice.org | 3” appears at top right with a navigation arrow on the right.

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Teal slide with large navy text reading: “The history of MAiD is the story of who society deems worthy of care.” Along the bottom is an illustration of a diverse line of people spanning ages and identities. “CRDJustice.org | 2” appears at top right with a circular arrow icon on the right.

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A teal title slide from the Center for Racial and Disability Justice. The CRDJ logo appears at top left and “CRDJustice.org | 1” at top right. Large navy text reads: “U.S. MAID DISCOURSE — A BRIEF HISTORY — Part II of III: 1960s–1990s.” Bottom text reads “Eva Spin, CRDJ Fellow.” A circular arrow icon appears on the right.

MAiD debates didn’t disappear after the early 20th century. They reemerged in new ways.

From the 1960s–1990s, patient rights and autonomy gained ground through landmark cases—while inequities shaped whose lives, choices, and voices were valued.

More at CRDJustice.org/MAiD [1/10]

Learn more and explore the work!

📚 Book: www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2635-e...

🎥 National Public Housing Museum conversation: nphm.org/event/plans-...

🎥 Haymarket Books conversation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zttf...

Graphic with a muted green background promoting the book Engineered Conflict: Structural Violence and the Future of Black Life in Chicago. Large cream-colored text at the top reads “ENGINEERED CONFLICT,” followed by “Structural Violence and the Future of Black Life in Chicago.” A speech bubble on the left says, “A powerful new book exploring structural violence, displacement & community resistance.” On the right is a 3D image of the book cover. The cover shows the title and author name “David Omotoso Stovall,” along with vertical panels featuring images in muted red, green, and yellow tones. On the left side is a circular headshot of Dimitri Nesbitt smiling, wearing glasses and a blazer. Text below reads “With Contributions By Dimitri Nesbitt.” At the bottom of the slide, text reads: “Dimitri’s engagement reflects his background in urban planning and design: understanding how harm is built into systems, and how those systems can be redesigned. He brings this spatial justice, systems thinking, and community-rooted analysis into his work at CRDJ!”

Graphic with a muted green background promoting related video content about the book Engineered Conflict. Large cream-colored text at the top reads: “WATCH DAVID STOVALL’S CONVERSATION AT THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING MUSEUM.” Below is a graphic of a video player showing two people seated on stools in a gallery space with posters behind them. The wall text reads “ART FOR ALL” and “POSTERS FOR THE.” A video progress bar is visible at the bottom of the player. Below that is a second video player graphic displaying an event poster for Engineered Conflict. The poster includes photos of David Stovall and Tara Betts, the Haymarket Books logo, and event information including “Haymarket House • 800 W. Buena Ave” and “Jan 22nd, 6PM CT.” At the bottom of the slide, large text reads: “LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOOK VIA HAYMARKET BOOKS.”

We’re excited to highlight our Civic Planning and Design Manager, Dimitri Nesbitt, who contributed mapping work to Engineered Conflict by David Stovall, a new book examining how housing policy, planning decisions, and state action have shaped structural violence in Black communities across Chicago.

Final slide titled “How to Cite” with CRDJ branding. Bullet points advise not defaulting to dominant voices, citing marginalized scholars directly, interrupting citation gaps intentionally, crediting communities not just institutions, and attributing ideas even when paraphrasing. A section notes CRDJ resources include suggested citations and full citations on their website. Closing line asks users to cite CRDJ clearly and directly when building on their work.

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Slide titled “Citation as a Justice Practice.” Referencing Sara Ahmed, it describes citation as a feminist political act shaping whose work is remembered. Ethical citation practices listed include tracing ideas to originators, citing marginalized scholars directly, disrupting citation gaps, and recognizing knowledge beyond elite spaces. It states citation determines who is remembered, promoted, funded, and canonized. Closing text: “Cite Disabled people of color. Directly. Intentionally. Consistently.” “CRDJustice.org | 9.”

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Slide titled “What’s the Harm?” It explains that Disabled people of color often produce intersectional justice frameworks, work outside elite institutions, and bridge community and academic knowledge. It states that when their work is not cited, labor is extracted without recognition. Listed harms include intellectual erasure, career disadvantage, funding inequity, canon distortion, and reinforcement of racialized ableism. A bold banner reads: “Erasure Is Violence.” “CRDJustice.org | 8.”

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