The number of hate crimes committed on the basis of disability rose in 2009, even as the overall number of hate crimes dropped, according to FBI statistics released Monday.

There were 97 offenses classified as hate crimes based on disability reported to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program in 2009, representing 1.5 percent of the 7,789 offenses reported. That’s up from 85 the year prior.

Of the disability-related offenses reported in 2009, 72 were cases where the victim was targeted due to a mental disability, while 25 offenses were related to a physical disability.

Meanwhile, the overall number of hate crimes dropped in 2009 to 6,604 incidents from 7,783 in 2008.

Under expanded hate crimes legislation enacted last year it is a federal offense to commit a crime against a person based on their disability.

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