Please stand with the disability community in their heartbreak and outrage by the July 6th court decision that struck down a regulation that would have banned the use of the graduated electronic decelerator (GED) nationally, through the FDA. These devices, which the United Nations has recognized as torture, involve causing severe pain, through skin shocks in an attempt to control behavior. These devices are only used in Massachusetts at the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC).

The volts on the devices used at the JRC have a maximum amperage of 90 mA, which is only 10 mA less than the potentially lethal amount (100 mA).

This practice is illegal for abled neurotypical children and adults, as well as pets and zoo animals. However it is legal for children and adults who have intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and who are autistic.

Due to Systemic racism POC are institutionalized more often than white disabled people, and comprise 80% of the residents at the JRC.

Please support the MA Bills H225 by Gregoire of Marlborough “An Act regarding the use of aversive therapy.” This important and necessary bill supports human rights for all, including racial rights, class rights, autistic rights, mental illness rights, and disability rights.