O P I N I O N

THE SOAPBOX

Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.

On January 29, a passenger jet and military helicopter collided near Ronald Regan National Airport in Washington D.C. 67 people perished as a result.

During a press conference President Trump blamed the tragedy on disabled FAA employees.

“The [Federal Aviation Association] is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency’s website. Brilliant people have to be in those positions,” he said.

In response to this atrocious assertion several disability-related organizations put out statements condemning the president’s words, including Arc CEO, Katy Neas.

“This is a devastating tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families. There is no evidence that FAA hiring practices had anything to do with this accident, and suggesting otherwise is both misleading and harmful. People with disabilities—like all federal employees—are hired because of their qualifications, skills, and ability to do a job. In moments like this, we should be focused on facts and supporting those affected, not pointing fingers at an entire community.”

President Trump is referring to an FAA policy, in effect since 2013, meant to rectify the underrepresentation of qualified employees with disabilities. This vilifies all disabled Americans and paints targets on our backs. He is ensuring we will face worse discrimination and possibly violent backlash.

I am calling on Senator Shaheen, Senator Hassan, Rep Goodlander, Rep Pappas, and Governor Ayotte to condemn this abhorrent rhetoric and defend disabled Granite Staters.

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