On Monday, March 2, Disability Day of Mourning (DDoM) will be recognized at an event from 3 to 4 p.m. in 606 Bird Library (Hilyer Room). The Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee and the Disability Cultural Center (DCC) will host the event to honor the victims of and promote awareness surrounding homicide against disabled people by their parents or caretakers.
According to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a founder of this national event, people with disabilities are twice as likely as non-disabled people to be victims of violent crime. Every year, the national media covers dozens of murders of people with disabilities by family members or caregivers, and many more go unnoticed.
“Disabled and deaf people are more likely to be victims of serious violent crime,” says Kate Pollack DCC coordinator and presenter of the event. “Through preventative education and commemorating the lives of victims, we encourage the campus community to attend DDoM and help spread awareness.” Pollack, who identifies as Deaf, is a forensic science master’s student researching disability related crimes.
ASAN started the national vigil initiative in 2012 after the murder of George Hodgins, a 22-year-old man with autism, by his mother. Syracuse University has participated in the vigil every year since.
Students, faculty, staff and community members—with or without a disability—are encouraged to attend. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided. There will be light, inclusive refreshments. For additional information, contact Pollack at kjpollac@syr.edu or 315.443.4486.
Story by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience communications intern Christopher Scarglato ’23
