Public Statements
Statement on January 29 Incident
February 5, 2025
The Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities sends its heartfelt condolences to the families who have experienced tremendous loss in the American Airlines plane and U.S. Army helicopter crash that occurred last week. People have lost family, friends, and colleagues – and we can only imagine their heartbreak in this difficult time.
Currently, there is an active investigation underway. As officials do their jobs searching for answers and clarity, the Council will turn our attention to the community.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not to blame for this event. We realize that statements have been made pointing at us, and we are shocked, hurt, and saddened by these false accusations. Making claims like these – especially with no evidence to support them – are harmful to people with disabilities, their families, and their communities.
Hoosiers with intellectual and developmental disabilities are contributing members of the state of Indiana. There are thousands of us working and looking for employment. We work, go to school, volunteer in our communities of faith, advocate at the Capitol, serve on the Council, and so much more. We aren't so different from you, either. We watch the Superbowl for the commercials, cheer on the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, camp at Turkey Run, play in the Dunes, enjoy the Covered Bridge Festival and the Feast of the Hunter's Moon. We are your friends, family members, coworkers – we are your neighbors.
While many of us have a strong support system that includes our families, other people with disabilities, disability organizations, and community-at-large, we need all of your support. Right now, we are feeling surprised and worried because accusations have been made against us. We need everyone to know that the things being said are just not true. We need people to stand beside us right now. Get to know us if you don’t already. Partner with us to help explain that we are not responsible for this.
We encourage you to build a community that includes people with disabilities. Here are some things you can do:
- Talk to people in your circles about this event and how the blame being placed on us is simply not true;
- Involve and learn from people with disabilities in your conversations with your friends, families, and neighbors;
- Ask your faith-based leader to talk about and with people with disabilities at your place of worship;
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper, community newsletter, or school publication and share about the positive impact of having people with disabilities in your local community.
This isn't about politics. This is about people.
The Governor's Council for People with Disabilities hopes that, together, we can build an Indiana where everyone is respected and valued.