Leigh Anne McKingsley: Creating Pathways to Justice for the Developmentally Disabled

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Leigh Anne McKingsley shares her journey as Senior Director of Disability and Justice Initiatives for the ARC, where she oversees the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability to address the invisibility and injustices faced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the justice system.

• The ARC began as a parent advocacy group fighting against institutionalization of children with disabilities and has evolved over 70+ years to promote inclusion through policy work and direct support

• McKingsley's "Pathways to Justice" training brings together law enforcement, attorneys, and service providers to create community-based solutions through Disability Response Teams

• Studies show 2 in 10 prisoners and 3 in 10 jail inmates report cognitive disabilities, yet proper accommodations and understanding remain limited

• People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are 30-40% more likely to also have mental health conditions, creating complex support needs

• Misinterpretation of behaviors like stimming can lead to unnecessary criminalization when officers don't recognize disability-related behaviors

• Personal stories from those with lived experience are crucial for creating change, though "double stigma" of disability and justice involvement creates barriers

• Success often comes from asking simple questions like "What accommodation do you need?" rather than focusing on specific diagnoses

To learn more or get involved with the ARC's National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability, visit their website or contact them directly to help create pathways to justice in your community.

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