People with disabilities have always had a voice. We’re just teaching the world different ways to listen.
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The AACs Support the AAPI Community

March 18, 2021 / racism

Women at candlelight vigil

The AACs' Statement in Support of the AAPI Community

Hate and violence against the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has a long and abhorrent history in our country. In the last year, hate crimes and other incidents of violence against AAPI people have increased, stoked by white supremacist rhetoric and COVID-19 disinformation. This has led directly to the murders of eight people in Atlanta – six of them Asian women. The Adult Advocacy Centers stand in solidarity with the AAPI community during this painful time. We pledge to continue to listen, learn, grow and continue our work to support victims of crime with disabilities in this and all marginalized communities.

Resources for Mental Health Support

If you need support right now, here are a few resources that are available to you:

Crisis Text Line

Text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741 to be connected to a trained crisis counselor within five minutes.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Online Chat

Call 1-800-273-8255 to talk to someone who is trained to listen and offer support to people in emotional crisis. TTY users can dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255. You can also chat with someone online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.

AAPI-Specific Organizations 

Asian American Community Services 
Based in Columbus
https://www.aacsohio.org/

Asian Services in Action
Based in Akron and Cleveland
http://www.asiaohio.org/

Asian Mental Health Collective
https://www.asianmhc.org/

If you are in immediate medical crisis, please call 911.

Resources for Activists and Allies

If you want to learn more about AAPI anti-hate efforts around the country, here are some organizations doing this important work:

Hate Is A Virus
https://hateisavirus.org/

Stop AAPI Hate
https://stopaapihate.org/

Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Bystander Intervention Training
https://advancingjustice-aajc.org/events