Disability Perspective Raises Questions About Assisted Suicide

Tami Jackson, a public policy analyst and legislative liaison for the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, addressed the potential effects of assisted suicide on vulnerable populations during a webinar on Sept. 17.

Jackson stated that end of life decisions are tied to assumptions regarding disability, access to care, and living circumstances. She noted that ableism is often so common that it goes unnoticed, influencing how people without disabilities perceive the value, abilities, and quality of life of those with disabilities.

According to Jackson, people without disabilities may focus on lost abilities, such as driving or walking, when imagining life with a disability. She said people with disabilities often realize early in life that others view their disability before their personhood, leading to assumptions about their intelligence, independence, and decision-making capacity.