On Friday, January 7, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky spoke in an interview about a research study showing that among vaccinated COVID-19 patients, 78% of those who died had four or more co-occurring conditions. In her full, unedited remarks, Dr. Walensky stated that these people “were unwell to begin with” and referred to these results as “really encouraging news.” Many disability organizations responded with a letter, which ASAN helped to organize, that expressed our collective horror and disappointment at these remarks, and outlined specific policy shifts that the CDC must make in order to begin to rebuild trust with the disability community. 

Representatives from several of the signatories to the letter, including ASAN, met with Dr. Walensky to discuss these necessary changes. A captioned video recording of the meeting is available here. 

ASAN’s Executive Director Julia Bascom, Bethany Lilly, Matthew Cortland, Elena Hung, and Natalie Kean shared testimony, which you can view here, about the impact of Dr. Walensky’s words and how they reflect the treatment of our communities throughout the pandemic. As Elena Hung of Little Lobbyists said, the CDC spent the past year leaving us behind, and we need the CDC to follow through for all disabled and chronically ill people with changed policies. Mia Ives Rublee of the Disability Justice Initiative at the Center for American Progress explained that accessibility must include physical, virtual, language, & community access. For example, 40% of disabled people don’t have computer access. Tests are inaccessible to blind or low vision individuals. Critical steps to vaccinating disabled people of color are being missed. Natalie Kean of Justice in Aging shared that booster uptake is dangerously low in congregate care, especially where more residents are people of color. Unpaid caregivers aren’t protected adequately. Matthew Cortland of Data for Progress explained that guidance that protects us protects everyone, and we are not being protected by existing CDC guidance. Maria Town of American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) said “People with disabilities are living with decades and decades of medical violence.” Jess Davidson, also of AAPD, said “Becoming disabled is not a tragic thing. But becoming disabled and feeling failed by the medical system, your doctors, society, and your government is tragic. And it is wrong.”

Following the meeting between leaders from disability rights organizations and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, advocates released a statement, which can be found here.

Moving forward, we are seeking follow-up meetings with the CDC; Dr. Walenksy committed to regular meetings with involvement from senior officials and herself. Our coalition will also meet with Secretary Becerra of Health and Human Services, and the White House, to advocate for a pandemic response that values disabled people. We will continue to share information when we can. We thank our community for raising their voices to let our government know that disabled lives are worth saving.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035

 

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