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Sanders Campaign First to Fill Out #PwDsVote 2016 Campaign Scorecard
http://therespectabilityreport.org/2016/01/25/sanders-campaign-first-to-fill-out-pwdsvote-2016-campaign-scorecard/RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked all of the presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire and scorecard on disability issues. While many campaigns responded positively that they are working on it, the Bernie Sanders campaign is the first to respond with a fully completed #PwDsVote 2016 Campaign Scorecard for people with disabilities (PwDs)....
QUESTION 1: Do you have a clear and transparent process for making decisions on disability issues? For example, how do you know/learn about disability issues and make decisions on the many policies that impact the one in five of Americans who have a disability? Have you studied the issues? Do you have a disability or a family member with a disability? Have you done meetings with disability leaders or citizens with disabilities? Do you have a disability advisor and/or advisory committee?
ANSWER 1: Yes. When Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 25 years ago, it was a landmark declaration of equality for people with disabilities. Today, as a result of that legislation, millions of people with disabilities are no longer denied the opportunity to get on a bus, go to a decent school, make a decent living, attend a baseball game, and live successful and productive lives. Instead of being isolated and hidden from society, kids with disabilities are now in classrooms all over America and graduating from high school and college with the respect and admiration of their classmates, teachers, and families.
This transformation in our culture and society did not happen by accident, and it did not happen overnight – it happened because a grassroots movement demanded change. Despite the progress that has been made over the past two decades, we unfortunately still live in a world where people with disabilities have fewer work opportunities and where the civil rights of people with disabilities are not always protected and respected.
QUESTION 1: Do you have a clear and transparent process for making decisions on disability issues? For example, how do you know/learn about disability issues and make decisions on the many policies that impact the one in five of Americans who have a disability? Have you studied the issues? Do you have a disability or a family member with a disability? Have you done meetings with disability leaders or citizens with disabilities? Do you have a disability advisor and/or advisory committee?
ANSWER 1: Yes. When Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 25 years ago, it was a landmark declaration of equality for people with disabilities. Today, as a result of that legislation, millions of people with disabilities are no longer denied the opportunity to get on a bus, go to a decent school, make a decent living, attend a baseball game, and live successful and productive lives. Instead of being isolated and hidden from society, kids with disabilities are now in classrooms all over America and graduating from high school and college with the respect and admiration of their classmates, teachers, and families.
This transformation in our culture and society did not happen by accident, and it did not happen overnight – it happened because a grassroots movement demanded change. Despite the progress that has been made over the past two decades, we unfortunately still live in a world where people with disabilities have fewer work opportunities and where the civil rights of people with disabilities are not always protected and respected.
Bernie's Springfield campaign chair Nelson Muntz has a message for Hillaristas.
