--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our loved ones and neighbors with…" description: "\"Our loved ones and neighbors with intellectual disabilities and autism deserve to live with dignity and the supports they need to succeed.\" — Josh Shapiro" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/josh-shapiro-5517_autism_our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intell_549504.jpg" --- # Our loved ones and neighbors with intellectual… ![“Our loved ones and neighbors with intellectual disabilities and autism deserve to live with dignity and the supports they need to succeed.” quote by Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/josh-shapiro-5517_autism_our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intell_549504.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/josh-shapiro-5517_autism_our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intell_549504.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/josh-shapiro-5517_autism_our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intell_549504.jpg) > “Our loved ones and neighbors with intellectual disabilities and autism deserve to live with dignity and the supports they need to succeed.” [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People with intellectual disabilities and autism deserve dignity and appropriate support to thrive in society **In simple terms:** They should live with respect and have needed resources for success Key Takeaway Advocate for inclusive policies and support services Themes social justice disability rights inclusion Mood hopeful advocacy Type political social When to use this quote - education - employment - healthcare - community planning Key Concepts dignity support systems accessibility Questions to Reflect On - How can communities better support individuals with disabilities? - What policies ensure lasting dignity? A Different Perspective Resources may be limited or unevenly distributed ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Autism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autism/) [Autism Deserve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autism-deserve-3707785/) [Dignity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity/) [Dignity Supports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity-supports-4577617/) [Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual/) [Intellectual Disabilities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual-disabilities-3072660/) [Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live/) [Live Dignity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-dignity-992003/) [Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved/) [Loved ones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved-ones/) [Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) ## Related quotes > [I have two young children with autism. What could they have ever done to deserve that? What kind of a God allows the innocent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-melamed/i-have-two-young-children-with-autism-what-could-they-have-ever-done/) [Fred Melamed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-melamed/) > [Schools connect children to their communities. Jobs connect adults to their societies. Persons with autism deserve to walk the same path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/schools-connect-children-to-their-communities-jobs-connect-adults-to/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [We can't have close to 90 percent of those prenatally diagnosed with an intellectual disability being aborted; 90 percent not going to school; more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-shriver/we-can-t-have-close-to-90-percent-of-those-prenatally-diagnosed-with/) [Timothy Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-shriver/) > [I hope that as a professional snowboarder, Olympian, and now, a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics, I will be able to change perceptions about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-teter/i-hope-that-as-a-professional-snowboarder-olympian-and-now-a-global/) [Hannah Teter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-teter/) > [I want to adopt a child or a baby with an intellectual disability one day. I mean, that's in the distant future, but that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooklyn-decker/i-want-to-adopt-a-child-or-a-baby-with-an-intellectual-disability-one/) [Brooklyn Decker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooklyn-decker/) > [I was recently appointed by President Obama to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. I am so excited that the President trusts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-potter/i-was-recently-appointed-by-president-obama-to-the-president-s/) [Lauren Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-potter/) > [Only 50 years ago persons with intellectual disabilities were scorned, isolated and neglected. Today, they are able to attend school, become employed and assimilate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/only-50-years-ago-persons-with-intellectual-disabilities-were-scorned/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [It is base and unworthy to live below the dignity of our nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/it-is-base-and-unworthy-to-live-below-the-dignity-of-our-nature/) [Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/) > [“The best safeguards you have are to live with dignity, love, and self-respect, and to make choices you can be proud of in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/the-best-safeguards-you-have-are-to-live-with-dignity-love-and-self/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [When you deprive people of their right to live in dignity, to hope for a better future, to have control over their lives, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-rania-of-jordan/when-you-deprive-people-of-their-right-to-live-in-dignity-to-hope-for/) [Queen Rania of Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-rania-of-jordan/) > [We need to move towards a truly just and equitable society by... making sure that every Canadian - whether they're living in long-term care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annamie-paul/we-need-to-move-towards-a-truly-just-and-equitable-society-by-making/) [Annamie Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annamie-paul/) > [“Freedom is to live with dignity”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manal-al-sharif/freedom-is-to-live-with-dignity/) [Manal al-Sharif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manal-al-sharif/) > [“Live with dignity. Live for others, that is how one earns respect,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chetan-bhagat/live-with-dignity-live-for-others-that-is-how-one-earns-respect/) [Chetan Bhagat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chetan-bhagat/) > [“I can walk without shoes and live without cloths, but I cannot live without dignity even for a second.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/i-can-walk-without-shoes-and-live-without-cloths-but-i-cannot-live/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [And it’s more. It’s about getting past that question of whats wrong with me, to knowing there’s nothing wrong, that you were born this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-anne-peters/and-it-s-more-it-s-about-getting-past-that-question-of-whats-wrong/) [Julie Anne Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-anne-peters/) ## More by Josh Shapiro > [If you ran a company with a failure rate of 68 percent, how long do you think you would stay in business? My guess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/if-you-ran-a-company-with-a-failure-rate-of-68-percent-how-long-do/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [That's a fact of our federal system of government: each state runs their election differently - and that's OK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/that-s-a-fact-of-our-federal-system-of-government-each-state-runs/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [The Equifax data breach, affecting the personal, financial information of 143 million Americans and 5.4 million Pennsylvanians, is an outrageous display of corporate malfeasance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/the-equifax-data-breach-affecting-the-personal-financial-information/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [We get stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/we-get-stuff-done-for-the-good-people-of-pennsylvania/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [Pennsylvanians deserve the freedom to walk down the street without fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/pennsylvanians-deserve-the-freedom-to-walk-down-the-street-without/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [Political violence has no place in Pennsylvania - the birthplace of American democracy - nor anywhere else across this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/political-violence-has-no-place-in-pennsylvania-the-birthplace-of/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [All Pennsylvanians owe a debt of gratitude to the veterans who have served our Commonwealth and fought for our freedoms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/all-pennsylvanians-owe-a-debt-of-gratitude-to-the-veterans-who-have/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [U.S. elections are run by counties, and the laws they follow are set by each state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/u-s-elections-are-run-by-counties-and-the-laws-they-follow-are-set-by/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [I know that there is nothing more crucial when making decisions than to have all the facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/i-know-that-there-is-nothing-more-crucial-when-making-decisions-than/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [I believe Pennsylvania is a place for second chances - and my Administration has invested in and advanced real criminal justice system reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/i-believe-pennsylvania-is-a-place-for-second-chances-and-my/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [When I became governor, I made a promise to address the everyday problems Pennsylvanians face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/when-i-became-governor-i-made-a-promise-to-address-the-everyday/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [Across the country, we've seen what happens when competition in health care is inhibited: Hospitals close and prices skyrocket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/across-the-country-we-ve-seen-what-happens-when-competition-in-health/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [I've made it a point to listen to the voices of students, teachers, and parents in my Administration, and I've heard loud and clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/i-ve-made-it-a-point-to-listen-to-the-voices-of-students-teachers-and/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [From our small towns to our big cities, every Pennsylvania community has a main street - they are critical to our economic strength, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/from-our-small-towns-to-our-big-cities-every-pennsylvania-community/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [We need to step up for those who are most vulnerable in our system and show them that we give a damn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/we-need-to-step-up-for-those-who-are-most-vulnerable-in-our-system/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) [Explore all 100 Josh Shapiro quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) ## More Autism quotes > [“We know that children with autism like order, that they are often very visual and that they can be quite literal. They deserve beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele-devine/we-know-that-children-with-autism-like-order-that-they-are-often-very/) [Adele Devine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele-devine/) > [In fact, when we as neuro-typical people encounter a person with autism spectrum syndrome who's always been that way it is that we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamlyn-tomita/in-fact-when-we-as-neuro-typical-people-encounter-a-person-with/) [Tamlyn Tomita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamlyn-tomita/) > [If you give us a safe vaccine, we'll use it. It shouldn't be polio versus autism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-mccarthy/if-you-give-us-a-safe-vaccine-we-ll-use-it-it-shouldn-t-be-polio/) [Jenny McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-mccarthy/) > [Autism is a big continuum, going from someone who remains nonverbal, all the way up to geniuses on Silicon Valley. And some kids are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/autism-is-a-big-continuum-going-from-someone-who-remains-nonverbal/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [Metaphor isn't just a fancy turn of speech. It shapes our thoughts and feelings, reaches out to grasp new experience, and even binds our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-richardson/metaphor-isn-t-just-a-fancy-turn-of-speech-it-shapes-our-thoughts-and/) [James Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-richardson/) > [The position of Autism Speaks has been for quite awhile that we need to find out what's happening. We know there's a genetic component,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-emken/the-position-of-autism-speaks-has-been-for-quite-awhile-that-we-need/) [Elizabeth Emken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-emken/) > [Some people with autism who don't talk, all they hear are vowel sounds. Like if I said 'cup,' they might just hear 'uh.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/some-people-with-autism-who-don-t-talk-all-they-hear-are-vowel-sounds/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/children-must-be-taught-how-to-think-not-what-to-think/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Mild autism can give you a genius like Einstein. If you have severe autism, you could remain nonverbal. You don't want people to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/mild-autism-can-give-you-a-genius-like-einstein-if-you-have-severe/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [“The autistic mind is not the wave at the surface of the ocean, but the whole world that exists below.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krissy-bells/the-autistic-mind-is-not-the-wave-at-the-surface-of-the-ocean-but-the/) [Krissy Bells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krissy-bells/) > [In the person with autism, the brain may already be seeing the part and be less distracted by the whole, and in the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-baron-cohen/in-the-person-with-autism-the-brain-may-already-be-seeing-the-part/) [Simon Baron-Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-baron-cohen/) > [I think that the definition of autism is too broad. 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Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) [Browse all 621 Autism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our loved ones and neighbors with intellectual disabilities and autism deserve to live with dignity and the supports they need to succeed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Shapiro" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intellectual-disabilities-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Autism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intellectual-disabilities-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/josh-shapiro-5517_autism_our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intell_549504.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/josh-shapiro-5517_autism_our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intell_549504.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/190/josh-shapiro-5517_autism_our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intell_549504.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our loved ones and neighbors with intellectual disabilities and autism deserve to live with dignity and the…” — Josh Shapiro", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Josh Shapiro", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our loved ones and neighbors with...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intellectual-disabilities-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/our-loved-ones-and-neighbors-with-intellectual-disabilities-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```