What Kind of Advocacy do Americans with Disabilities Really Need?

In a guest post over at Patricia Bauer's blog, Professor Paul Longmore has written an open letter to the disability rights constituency, outlining major points by both Republican and Democratic candidates McCain and Obama.

He writes:

In their convention speeches, Palin, John, and even Cindy McCain focused only on children. The media have talked almost exclusively about children too. What so many people seem to forget is that children with disabilities grow up to become adults. Ninety percent of the 54 million Americans with disabilities are adults. Most acquired their disabilities after childhood.

In addition, the media talk has mostly been about “compassion” not about “issues.” There has been little discussion about issues that matter to people with disabilities of all ages, issues such as health insurance, community-based personal assistance services, education, employment, and civil rights. Research has repeatedly found that voters in the disability constituency — adults with disabilities, parents, and many professionals — decide how they will vote based on candidates’ positions on disability issues. But they are often frustrated in trying to get that information.

and goes on to say:

Obama and Biden have a set of detailed policy proposals called their “Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities.” You can find it on their campaign website. (2) In contrast, the McCain-Palin website’s single page on “Americans with Disabilities for McCain” offers no policy positions. (3) Elsewhere, that website mentions autism and disabled veterans but no other issues. (4) (The Obama-Biden website also lays out policy proposals regarding both autism and disabled veterans.) So I’ve tried to glean McCain’s and Palin’s stands from their speeches, votes, and actions.

And he goes on to do that, in detail, backing up his conclusions, setting forth a great deal of useful information.

This is an important post to read prior to casting your vote. It analyzes the issues point by point, those issues which cause hardship to families and individuals with disabilities who are increasingly struggling to make ends meet.

This is a crucial election, one in which many of us with disabilities are saying that we will vote for the candidate who will represent us best. Dr. Longmore says he is voting for Obama and Biden and explains his own journey through the system of work disincentives that all of us are so familiar with, a system that has kept our employment rate low and our options limited. He writes:

Just as important, Obama promises to establish a National Commission on People with Disabilities, Employment, and Social Security. He will charge this commission to undertake, at long last, the elimination of work disincentives in Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, and Medicaid policies. In addition, Obama pledges to increase substantially federal hiring of workers with disabilities.


Many times it may seem to us that our voices are drowned out. Perhaps you're feeling disempowered because you can't work, can't find accessible housing or can't afford the equipment you need.

Now is the time to look around, read about the candidates' positions on issues that matter to you and cast your vote according to your own conscience. Participate and have your say in this very important election. No matter your circumstances, register, (each state's deadline is different) -even if you vote by absentee ballot because your local voting place is inaccessible or you don't have transportation to get there.

Don't sacrifice your vote because of lack of access - cast your vote for the candidate who will work to help us achieve access.

It is important to remember that our vote counts equally. That, my friends, is what this country is supposed to be about.