Ethan Saylor, a 26 year old man with Down syndrome died on January 12, 2013 while he was being forcibly removed and restrained by off-duty Frederick County, Maryland police officers at a movie theater.  Ethan and his support staff had attended "Zero Dark Thirty" and he wanted to watch it a second time, but had not purchased a ticket.  The confrontation happened when his support staff went to get the car.

The National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society have been actively involved with the Saylor family in calling for national and state authorities to investigate the tragic events surrounding Ethan's death.  The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the death of Ethan.  We have also initiated efforts to assist parents and affiliates in developing relationships with, and providing training to, law enforcement and first responders.

 

On October 17, 2013 the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), and the Saylor Family teamed up to hold the "Frederick Forum on Disability Inclusion" in Maryland. The Forum was an opportunity for the Frederick disability and provider community to discuss pressing issues around disability as well as mobilize the local community in Frederick County to ensure what happened to Ethan never happens to another member of the Down syndrome community again. We were grateful to have representation from the following organizations: F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition (MDAC), Maryland Disability Law Center, Special Olympics, People on the Go, The Freedom Center, Goodwill of Monocacy Valley, Scott Key Center, Service Coordination, Way Station Inc., Abilities Network, The Arc of Frederick County, Community Living, Inc., and ARC of Washington County, MD.

 

Also, on October 17, 2013 the Saylor family filed a civil suit in Baltimore, Maryland against the sheriff's county deputies, Westview Regal Cinemas and others for the wrongful death of Ethan as well as a violation of his civil rights.

  

In September, Governor O'Malley established a Commission for Effective Community Inclusion of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Maryland.  One of the goals of the Commission is to improve training to help law enforcement personnel, paramedics, and other first responders better respond to situations involving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).   Sara Weir, Vice President of Advocacy and Affiliate Relations of NDSS was appointed to the Commission.