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Straight Talk on the 2008 Presidential Candidates and Disability Issues...
Many people, like myself, feel that the way in which a society supports its most vulnerable or disenfranchised citizens is a critical indicator of how healthy that society is, and where it is headed in the future.
The issue of disability policy and the improvements that are necessary to elevate the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities in this country has rarely made it into the mainstream discourse during this election. Unfortunately, this is not surprising as individuals with disabilities are typically excluded from the larger social and political environments, both by actual physical barriers and by traditional social practices in our society which make them invisible.
Although it seemed that we might actually be treated to a serious debate on disability policy issues when Sarah Palin's name was added to the Republican ticket and she announced that she has a child who was born with Down Syndrome earlier this year, no such rich or meaningful public discussion has resulted. Palin has vowed to make special needs children a priority in a McCain/Palin Whitehouse, however it is not clear how Sarah Palin, or John McCain, would accomplish this. In addition, given the track records of both Palin as Governor and McCain as Senator, it does not appear that the disability policy issues that will be crucial in the 21st Century, such as greater independence, de-institutionalization, community supports, and funding for special education will be represented by this ticket should they win the 2008 Presidential Election.
For example, McCain has repeatedly been unsupportive of fully funding special education for children with disabilities across the nation, and he does not support legislation to help move more people out of state institutions and into communities. Sarah Palin, as noted in a New York Times article in September, has not so far been an advocate of children with special needs in her state, which has one of the highest rates of out-of-state placements of children with disabilities based on Alaska's inability to provide them with adequate services.
On the other side of the spectrum, Barack Obama released his plan to empower people with disabilities earlier this year, and it is a comprehensive plan that addresses many of the issues facing people, both adults and children, with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities, including health care, education, independent living, employment, and a host of other issues. In addition, Barack Obama supports the movement towards requiring that insurance plans cover mental and behavioral health services, which would positively impact people who are dually diagnosed with both disabilities and mental illness.
On November 4th, many who care about the rights and quality of life for people with disabilities will decide, in addition to other factors and issues, which candidate can best serve to support this population and honor their rights and abilities to live full, happy, and productive lives in American society. Hopefully, you will be one of them! Find out more information on where these candidates stand by visiting the links below:
Senator Barack Obama/ Senator Joe Biden:
Website: www.barackobama.com
Plan: Obama-Biden Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities
Senator John McCain/ Governor Sarah Palin:
Website: www.johnmccain.com
*Plan: Please note that although McCain does address some disability issues for veterans, he does not have a policy plan for people with disabilities.
The issue of disability policy and the improvements that are necessary to elevate the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities in this country has rarely made it into the mainstream discourse during this election. Unfortunately, this is not surprising as individuals with disabilities are typically excluded from the larger social and political environments, both by actual physical barriers and by traditional social practices in our society which make them invisible.
Although it seemed that we might actually be treated to a serious debate on disability policy issues when Sarah Palin's name was added to the Republican ticket and she announced that she has a child who was born with Down Syndrome earlier this year, no such rich or meaningful public discussion has resulted. Palin has vowed to make special needs children a priority in a McCain/Palin Whitehouse, however it is not clear how Sarah Palin, or John McCain, would accomplish this. In addition, given the track records of both Palin as Governor and McCain as Senator, it does not appear that the disability policy issues that will be crucial in the 21st Century, such as greater independence, de-institutionalization, community supports, and funding for special education will be represented by this ticket should they win the 2008 Presidential Election.
For example, McCain has repeatedly been unsupportive of fully funding special education for children with disabilities across the nation, and he does not support legislation to help move more people out of state institutions and into communities. Sarah Palin, as noted in a New York Times article in September, has not so far been an advocate of children with special needs in her state, which has one of the highest rates of out-of-state placements of children with disabilities based on Alaska's inability to provide them with adequate services.
On the other side of the spectrum, Barack Obama released his plan to empower people with disabilities earlier this year, and it is a comprehensive plan that addresses many of the issues facing people, both adults and children, with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities, including health care, education, independent living, employment, and a host of other issues. In addition, Barack Obama supports the movement towards requiring that insurance plans cover mental and behavioral health services, which would positively impact people who are dually diagnosed with both disabilities and mental illness.
On November 4th, many who care about the rights and quality of life for people with disabilities will decide, in addition to other factors and issues, which candidate can best serve to support this population and honor their rights and abilities to live full, happy, and productive lives in American society. Hopefully, you will be one of them! Find out more information on where these candidates stand by visiting the links below:
Senator Barack Obama/ Senator Joe Biden:
Website: www.barackobama.com
Plan: Obama-Biden Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities
Senator John McCain/ Governor Sarah Palin:
Website: www.johnmccain.com
*Plan: Please note that although McCain does address some disability issues for veterans, he does not have a policy plan for people with disabilities.
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