[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 61 (Monday, April 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 WASHINGTON STATE ALLIES FOR ADVOCACY: A PROCLAMATION FOR THE DIGNITY 
                    AND RIGHTS FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 28, 2014

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to meet with individuals from 
my region and the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council 
about important issues concerning people with developmental 
disabilities. I support their advocacy efforts for people with 
developmental disabilities and programs that support them. The 
Washington State Allies in Advocacy has issued a Proclamation for the 
Dignity and Rights for All Human Beings and I am honored to submit a 
copy.

     A Proclamation for the Dignity and Rights of All Human Beings


                                PREAMBLE

       We believe all persons are whole human beings, regardless 
     of ability, mobility, expression, communication, 
     intelligence, accommodations, strengths, independence or 
     support needs: All human beings are able to grow and develop 
     to their full potential.
       Being human, we believe and affirm that all people have 
     absolute power to direct their own lives, with determination, 
     dignity and meaningful choice.
       We believe and affirm the basic human right to live free 
     from abuse, neglect, and exploitation in our homes, jobs and 
     the community, so as to be secure at all times:
       1. We refuse to tolerate physical, mental, emotional or 
     sexual violence. We deserve freedom from violence that comes 
     from people or systems where abuse has become commonplace and 
     is ignored.
       2. Our money and resources must be safe and under our own 
     ultimate direction.
       3. We must be free from discrimination based in hate or 
     fear, and discrimination based on good intentions. 
     Discrimination will be determined by the effect it has on our 
     lives and not the intentions of those who discriminate.
       4. We must be free from attitudes and beliefs that talk 
     down to us.
       We believe and affirm that all human beings have the right 
     to live free from the oppression of:
       1. A transportation system that isolates us in our homes or 
     within a community.
       2. Supports that control us and our environment, talk for 
     us, do not listen, or fail to recognize that we are the boss 
     of our own lives.
       3. The fear that we will be eliminated or left to die 
     because the circumstances of our existence are deemed too 
     costly, too difficult or simply not important.
       4. Being imprisoned in institutions that isolate, control 
     and segregate us. (Community housing without autonomy is like 
     an institution.)
       5. Labels given to us, used to separate, devalue or 
     dehumanize us.
       6. Societal, cultural and physical barriers that restrict 
     full participation in communities.
       7. Any system that takes it upon itself to determine who is 
     worthy, that imposes services based on perceived, rather than 
     real needs, or makes decisions in secret without the 
     participation of those impacted. We have a right to services 
     tailored to assist us by empowering our abilities.
       8. Those who devalue us through medical discrimination. 
     Every human has a right to be:
       a) Free from those who deny or force medical treatment.
       b) Free from those who assume we don't deserve medical 
     treatment to improve or sustain our life.
       c) Free from those who make medical decisions without our 
     consent or voice, under the pretense of knowing better than 
     we what is best for us.
       d) Free from those who treat or alter us, without consent, 
     for the convenience of others, society, or any system.
       e) Free from parents, guardians, or other decision-makers 
     who would override our decisions, without listening and 
     considering our perspectives, and alter our self-determined 
     course as human beings.
       We believe and affirm that everyone has the freedom to lead 
     a meaningful life, in which:
       1. We each have a name, and choose the groups with which we 
     identify. We reject labels, imposed by others, that minimize, 
     specialize or segregate us.
       2. We exercise the right to choose our meaningful 
     relationships: the people with whom we spend our time, share 
     personal details or with whom we are intimate.
       3. We have the right to fail. Risk is acceptable, even if 
     we are not successful. The quality of a choice does not 
     determine one's value as a person.
       4. Power resides within each of us. The right of people to 
     decide for themselves is respected, celebrated and supported.
       5. We have the right to direct financial decisions 
     consistent with personal ambition. We pursue careers that 
     enable us to grow and be promoted, with work relationships 
     that empower us, and employment supports that protect 
     autonomy. Meaningful careers provide us with economic 
     stability and freedom. A job is not a career. Everyone should 
     have the opportunity to create a life with employment that 
     enriches the mind and spirit.
       6. We are the primary drivers of our life choices and 
     decisions.
       7. We always start by presuming competence. We all have the 
     absolute right to grow intellectually, sexually, physically, 
     spiritually and socially to our full potential; to be who we 
     choose to be, human beings, without pressure to alter how we 
     speak, feel, think, or move.
       8. We have the right to technology, including assistive 
     technology, which increases our personal power through access 
     to information, and gives us the ability to more fully, 
     productively and effectively interact with the world.
       9. All human beings rise to high expectations, to get to a 
     place where one can achieve and strive to be all one can be. 
     Limited or no expectations restrict our growth, advance 
     stereotypes, and move us to a path of poverty and labeled 
     incompetence, instead of a full life of choice and 
     independence.
       10. We reject the notion that people are on a predetermined 
     path. We have the right to equally access an education that 
     prepares us each to enter the working world and participate 
     fully in our community.
       11. Education directly impacts a strong society and 
     economy. Every human has the right to a higher education. 
     Every human has the right to learn and grow as one desires.
       Whereas all of the above rights are recognized, honored and 
     practiced, we endeavor to create and uphold opportunities to:
       1. Promote the health and well-being of all people.
       2. Fully, meaningfully and productively participate in 
     civic, cultural, political, economic and social life.
       3. Presume competence and uphold high expectations. Include 
     all people regardless of communication style, mobility, race, 
     nation of origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual 
     orientation, expression, intelligence, accommodations, 
     strengths, independence, support needs and ability.
       4. Never abandon those who struggle and seek support when 
     needed.
       5. Respect each other, even in conflict.
       This we say and believe.
       Signed:

                          ____________________