About Decriminalize Developmental Disabilities

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We are people, government employees, university researchers and professors, psychologists, law enforcement officers, attorneys, self advocates, and authors.

We stand for the reform of injustices in the criminal justice system with regard to the vulnerable population of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Currently, the criminal justice system makes little or no attempt to understand this population or to recognize their unique needs, supports and challenges. Criminal prosecutions of these individuals often lead to disastrous consequences for children and their families without any benefit to the public.

Our goal is to make changes that will save these individuals from the unnecessary cruelty the criminal justice system is putting them through. Implementing this goal will require educating legislators, prosecutors and judges about this population and their need to be understood, rather than prosecuted, by the legal system. Our mission is to ensure equal access to justice, ADA accommodations and effective education and treatment for defendants with I/DD who are involved with the criminal justice system.

a group of people standing in a line
hand on a chainlink fence

Our Mission:

We stand in solidarity with individuals and families affected by developmental disabilities in the criminal justice system. We advocate for a compassionate, inclusive system that recognizes their unique needs and vulnerabilities, ensuring their rights are protected, dignity upheld, and access to essential resources provided.

Our culture is an organization by families for families

Our Vision:

We envision a world where advocacy drives change to decriminalize Developmental Disabilities.

Our Values:

  • Care
  • Kindness
  • Empathy
  • Understanding
  • Taking action
  • “We actually give a shit”

Meet the Decriminalize Developmental Disabilities Team
Brian Kelmar, headshot

Brian Kelmar

President, Co-Founder

Carol Nesteikis, headshot

Carol Nesteikis

Vice President & Cofounder

Jude Harrison, headshot

Jude Harrison

Dir. of Communications, Co-Founder

Jessica Oppenheim, headshot

Jessica Oppenheim

Advocate

Dr. Nick Dubin, headshot

Dr. Nick Dubin

Advocate

Maria headshot

Maria LaBarbera Lamb

Advocate

Nicco Dowd headshot

Nicci Dowd

Advocate

Cary Citronberg

Advocate

Grayscale Headshot of Russell Lehmann

Russell Lehmann

Advocate