FAQs

Is expanding end-of-life care a disability justice issue?

Yes. There are deep disparities in access to healthcare for people with disabilities, especially people of color with disabilities. Advocating to expand end-of-life options for people with disabilities removes another barrier to equitable healthcare access.

What is end-of-life care?

End-of-life care is specialized healthcare delivered in the final months or years of one’s life. Types of end-of-life care include: 

  • Palliative care is specialized medical care for individuals living with a serious illness. Palliative care can improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family.

  • Hospice care focuses on providing care, comfort, and quality of life to individuals with a serious illness approaching the end of life.

  • Medical aid in dying allows a mentally capable adult with a prognosis of six months or less to live to request a prescription from their doctor for medication to self-ingest to bring about a peaceful death.

Is there support for medical aid in dying in the disability community?

Yes. There is strong support for medical aid in dying in the disability community. State polls show a strong majority of voters living with disabilities support medical aid in dying:

  • Connecticut (65%)

  • Massachusetts (74%)

  • New Jersey (63%) 

(Purple Insights, Voter & Disabled Community, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts Survey (Feb. 2014) 

Advocates in the disability community have been instrumental in passing medical aid in dying laws across the country. We recognize and respect the diversity of the disability community. We also welcome the perspective of all viewpoints as we advance more equitable systems of healthcare at the end of life.

Do medical aid in dying laws include safeguards to eliminate the risk of coercion and exploitation, especially for the disability community?

Yes. Medical aid-in-dying laws include safeguards to protect individuals from coercion and exploitation. Prior to providing a prescription for medication to end one’s life, two doctors must confirm the status of that person. They will have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. This individual must be fully informed about additional end-of-life options, including palliative care, hospice and pain control. A person with disabilities is only eligible for medical aid in dying if they:

  • Are an adult,

  • Are terminally ill,

  • Have six months or less to live,

  • Are able to make informed healthcare decisions; and

  • Are able to take the medication themselves. 

The decision to pursue end-of-life care can only be made:

  • By the patient,

  • Expressed orally,

  • "Sworn to" in writing,

  • With attesting witnesses; and

  • Completely voluntarily

Where is medical aid in dying authorized?

Medical aid in dying is authorized in 11 U.S. jurisdictions:

  • Oregon

  • Washington

  • Vermont

  • Montana

  • California

  • Colorado

  • Hawai’i

  • New Jersey

  • Maine

  • Washington D.C.

  • New Mexico

How does Us for Autonomy refer to the community?

People First Language (e.g., “person with a disability”) is a way of communicating that reflects knowledge and respect for people with disabilities by choosing words that recognize the person first and foremost as the primary reference and not his or her disability.

Identity-First Language (e.g., “disabled person”) centers on disability while still recognizing personhood. Identity-first language was born from the disability pride movement, which positions that disability is nothing to be ashamed of.

Us for Autonomy recognizes and respects each individual’s right to refer to themselves as they choose. Us for Autonomy uses the terminology interchangeably.

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