Kareem Dale's Blog

A President Who Gets It

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:31:51 EDT

For 22 months, we have been beating the drum in support of Senator Obama on the basis of great policies, great plans, great speeches, great video messages, great inclusion, great representation and simply greatness, particularly when it comes to Americans with disabilities. We have said he has the best plans for Americans with disabilities in the history of this country. We have talked about his personal connections to this community through Michelle and through Mike Strautmanis. We have seen his understanding on full display in campaign visits across this country from Nevada to South Carolina.

And now, he is closing the loop.

And, therefore, it's time for us to close the deal for him!

We have voiced our desire that Americans with disabilities be included and fully integrated along side the rest of Americans. Because we don't want special treatment, we want full access to what everyone else has.

Senator Obama, like so many other times during this journey, has listened, heard and responded like only he can. We knew he was the candidate of choice all along, and he simply has solidified that for all Americans with disabilities.

In at least five recent speeches where he has delivered his Closing Argument to America from Canton, Ohio to Norfolk, Virginia to Raleigh, North Carolina to Kissimmee and Sarasota, Florida, Senator Obama has fully included Americans with disabilities in the fabric of America where he knows and you know we belong.

View these clips with pride that you represent the best candidate in American history for our community. And, for those who haven't decided to vote for Senator Obama yet, let this be the deciding factor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P6nICQk4wM

I want to specially acknowledge Morton Ann Gernsbacher and her son who are the persons who within a few hours pulled these clips together, captioned them and even inserted some great background music for your listening pleasure. She is fantastic and has exhibited the kind of dedication and volunteer efforts to this campaign that so many of you also have exhibited and that hopefully will make Senator Obama the next President of the United States of America!

One Week to Go

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:55:21 EDT

Over the last five weeks, I have focused on specific issues of how Senator Obama is the best candidate to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities. Now that we have one week to go, I want to summarize the key differences between Senators Obama and McCain. This summary leaves no doubt that if you want a President who will change lives and empower Americans with disabilities, you need to vote to make Barack Obama your next President.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Barack Obama is a co-sponsor of the Community Choice Act (“CCA”), which provides people with disabilities the supports they need to live independently in their communities
He also is a supporter of the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (“CLASS”) Act.
You can view Senator Obama verbally stating his support for these legislative actions at: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/disabilities/
Senator McCain is not a supporter of the Community Choice Act because he claims the CCA will cost too much. You can view his statements at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ5ewmjhkZ4

EDUCATION

We should heavily invest in early intervention educational and developmental programs for children between zero and five so Barack Obama will invest $10 billion per year for this effort.
That’s why he strongly supports full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), so that elementary and secondary students with disabilities will get the free and appropriate education they should have received.
Congress promised to fund up to 40% of the states’ excess costs for educating special education students, but has funded only 17% to date.
Barack Obama will start a new chapter for Americans with disabilities by ensuring full enforcement of the IDEA and the protection of students’ and parents’ rights.
Senator McCain has repeatedly voted against full funding of IDEA.

ADA AND EMPLOYMENT

We must end discrimination and increase the employment rate of persons with disabilities.
Barack Obama was an original co-sponsor of the recently enacted ADA Amendments Act, which will effectively overturn those Supreme Court decisions that wrongly narrowed the Americans with Disabilities Act.
To ensure the effectiveness of this new legislation, he will appoint judges who will respect the laws that are designed to protect and empower Americans with disabilities.
Senator McCain has promised to appoint the same type of strict-constructionist judges that narrowly interpreted the original intent of the ADA, which necessitated the passing of the ADA Amendments Act.
Barack Obama also will increase funding to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency charged with ADA employment discrimination enforcement so that the EEOC can fully prosecute cases of discrimination.
Also, an Obama administration will lead the way by hiring more federal employees with disabilities and encouraging private-sector companies to employ more workers with disabilities and do a better job accommodating their employees with disabilities.
Specifically, Barack Obama will reinstate Executive Order 13173, which had a mandate of hiring 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years.
Notably, Senator McCain has set forth no policies to improve the employment rate for persons with disabilities.

HEALTH CARE

Barack Obama will sign universal health care legislation by the end of his first term in office.
Americans with disabilities will have quality, affordable, portable coverage so they can take a job without fear of losing their health insurance.
Obama understands that coverage for pre-existing conditions is critical for Americans with disabilities, which is why under his universal health insurance plan, insurance companies will not be able to stop individuals from getting coverage even if they have pre-existing conditions and disabilities.
On the other hand, Senator McCain’s plan will continue to allow insurance companies to discriminate on the basis of pre-existing conditions.
Obama fully supported the recent passage of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 so that coverage for serious mental illnesses is provided on the same terms and conditions as other illnesses and diseases.
Obama will fully fund the VA so that veterans who are recruited and deployed to serve our country have the health care they deserve.

Why Barack Obama is Best for People with Disabilities

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:37:36 EDT

There has been a lot of discussion about personal connections to the disability community. I wanted to make sure you knew that Barack Obama has multiple personal connections to our community, which will help guide his policies and plans to improve the lives of all Americans with disabilities.

Accordingly, I am posting the following op-ed written by Mike Strautmanis, a long-time close personal friend of Barack and Michelle as well as the former Chief Counsel in Barack’s Senate office. Mike has a son who is on the autism spectrum. I think this op-ed will help crystallize that Barack Obama is the candidate for all Americans with disabilities, not only because he has a detailed four-part Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities, but also because he understands the barriers that need to be broken down to level the playing field for people in our community and is personally committed to the government breaking down those barriers.

Op-ed by Mike Strautmanis, Congressional Affairs for Obama for America from Washington D.C., former Chief Counsel to Barack Obama’s Senate office

My son Jori has a disability. He is on the Autism Spectrum. Jori is a daily gift to our family, but we face challenges. Fortunately, Jori has a friend named Barack Obama. Literally. Barack has watched Jori grow up. He stands by Jori, his mother, and me as we struggle with the barriers society places in the way of people with disabilities. Every American with a disability, or who has a loved one with a disability, should be fortunate enough to have a friend --- or even a President --- like Barack Obama.

I want our country to provide support to families like mine --- the families who face the practical, financial, and emotional challenges of a loved one with a disability. Jori has taught Barack about these challenges. These days, I work on the Obama-Biden campaign after serving on Barack’s Senate staff as his Chief Counsel since he arrived in Washington. But long before that, Barack and I were friends. He and Michelle have been a big part of our family’s life and a great help to my wife and me. To them, Jori is not a statistic; he’s a kid they see around town or at the office. They see how our family, which has more advantages than many, struggles to help Jori to get the care he needs, which is sometimes more than a loving family can provide, and the education he deserves, but few public schools have the resources to deliver.

When Barack gives a friendly hello to Jori, he shows his kindness; when he accommodates my schedule to enable me to be a fully engaged parent, he shows that he understands what families like ours go through. He understands that as a leader, he has an obligation to help us to keep all of America’s promises to our loved ones and give us the tools we need as parents to ensure that our children won’t be shortchanged.

As President, Barack will begin by creating a new White House post: Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. He will press Congress to pass the CLASS Act and the Community Choice Act to help Americans with disabilities to choose to live independently in the community and to help them pay for the direct care workers, assistive technology and other tools that make independent, community-based living possible. For our children, Barack will continue his fight for full funding of IDEA so that students with disabilities are assured of a free appropriate public education. Barack agrees that funding IDEA at less than half its authorized level is a disgrace, but he also understands that merely wringing more money out of Congress is not enough. His Secretary of Education will fully implement and enforce IDEA. Local school districts’ foot-dragging and resistance to IDEA, denying teachers what they need to serve kids with disabilities in the most inclusive possible setting, will no longer be tolerated.

It’s easy for me to say that my friend Barack will do these things, but this isn’t just friendship talking. I know he will do the right thing, for two reasons. First, there is his record: As an Illinois state senator Barack Obama sponsored legislation that created an autism spectrum diagnosis program, designed to implement evidence-based best practices. Barack worked with Illinois families to build the Easter Seals academic programs that prepare students for independent living. Moreover, Barack helped pass Illinois’ mental health parity law as a State Senator. Barack understands that we need universal screening, education and early intervention strategies for all children, but especially children with disabilities. That’s why he intends to provide $10 billion per year in funding for developmental programs serving children between birth and age five. Barack has long supported the Family and Medical Leave Act; as President, he will expand it and help the states create paid leave systems to ease the tough choices that are faced every day by working families providing support to a disabled member.

But there is a second reason that I have faith that a President Obama will fight for people with disabilities, and one that I find more compelling: I have seen Barack Obama with my son and other people with disabilities. I have seen how he puts his arm on Jori’s shoulder, how he smiles at Jori and speaks to him as the person that he is. I see his understanding that Jori and every other American with a disability is a fellow child of God with potential worth developing and dignity worth protecting. I see this and I know that Barack understands why I would do anything to secure real opportunity for that precious child, why any parent in my place would do the same. I see that Barack Obama comprehends all of that, and he wants to help us get there. And I know that if we can help Barack Obama to get to the White House, he will do more than any President ever has done to help those of us who love and care for loved ones with disabilities to achieve everything they can achieve. I know this man. So does Jori. And he gives us hope.

Disability Policy Comparison of the Week

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:05:15 EDT

As we head toward election day, I want to focus on specific issues of how Senator Obama is the best candidate to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities. For the last two weeks, I will post my comparison of the week.

This week, I am focusing on health care.

SUMMARY POINTS

Barack Obama will sign universal health care legislation by the end of his first term in office.
Americans with disabilities will have quality, affordable, portable coverage so they can take a job without fear of losing their health insurance.
Obama understands that coverage for pre-existing conditions is critical for Americans with disabilities, which is why under his universal health insurance plan, insurance companies will not be able to stop individuals from getting coverage even if they have pre-existing conditions and disabilities.
On the other hand, Senator McCain’s plan will continue to allow insurance companies to discriminate on the basis of pre-existing conditions.
Obama understands that one of the strategies for increasing employment among people with disabilities is to ensure they have health insurance without being forced to stop working and get coverage through Medicare or Medicaid.
Obama fully supported the recent passage of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 so that coverage for serious mental illnesses is provided on the same terms and conditions as other illnesses and diseases.
Obama will fully fund the VA so that veterans who are recruited and deployed to serve our country have the health care they deserve.

FACTUAL OBAMA-MCCAIN COMPARISON ON HEALTH CARE:

OBAMA ON HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES

Obama will sign universal health care into law by the end of his first term in office, and he has supported expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (“SCHIP”) and health care programs for people with disabilities, children, and veterans.

Under Obama’s plan to provide universal health insurance, insurance companies will not be able to stop individuals from getting coverage even if they have pre-existing conditions and disabilities. Obama’s plan allows individuals and businesses to purchase public or private health coverage through a national health insurance exchange. Obama’s plan would make health care more affordable and accessible to all Americans, particularly individuals who have been denied coverage in the private market due to a pre-existing condition or disability. [Obama Plan to Empower Individuals with Disabilities]

Obama is a co-sponsor of ending the Medicare Waiting Period Act of 2007 (S.2102). Before they can get Medicare coverage, people with disabilities must first receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months. Due to the 24-month Medicare waiting period, an estimated 400,000 Americans with disabilities are uninsured and many more are underinsured at a time in their lives when they need health coverage the most. During this waiting period, many individuals develop secondary conditions, their health status worsens and many die. Obama supports legislation that would phase out this harmful waiting period and provide individuals with health insurance. [S.2102, 110th Congress]

Obama supported expanded health insurance for children. In 2007, Obama voted to reauthorize the SCHIP at over $60 billion for five years. Two children who live with a single parent who makes $51,510 would have access to health insurance coverage under SCHIP. The bill would provide $100 million in new grants to fund state outreach and enrollment efforts and allocate $49 million for a demonstration project to streamline the enrollment process for low-income children already eligible for coverage. [HR 976, Senate Vote #307, 8/2/07]

Obama supported assuring accessible health care to people with disabilities by co-sponsoring the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act (S.1050) The bill would require the U.S. Access Board to establish access standards for all diagnostic equipment (examination tables, x-ray, mammography and other radiological equipment, etc.). It also educates physicians and dentists by requiring that medical schools, dental schools, and their residency programs provide training to improve competency and clinical skills in providing care to patients with disabilities (including those with intellectual disabilities) as a condition of receiving federal funds. Finally, it establishes a national wellness grant program which will authorize funding for programs or activities for smoking cessation, weight control, nutrition or fitness that are tailored to the needs of individuals with disabilities and authorize funding for preventive health screening programs for individuals with disabilities to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions. [S.1050, 110th Congress]

Obama supported expanding health care for veterans.

In 2005, Obama voted for providing an additional $500 million per year for the next five years for mental health services for veterans. [S.2020, Senate Vote #343, 11/17/05]

In 2006, Obama voted in favor of adding $430 million for outpatient and inpatient health care and treatment for veterans. Nearly half of the military servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will require health care services for the physical and psychological traumas of war, yet the Bush administration and Republican-led Congress have underfunded the Veterans Administration’s medical services by at least $1.2 billion for 2007 alone. And, this was the second consecutive year they had done so. [H.R.4939, Senate Vote #98, 4/26/06; The Independent Budget, A Budget for Veterans by Veterans, 2/10/06; Newsweek, 1/19/06]

Obama voted to grant access to Medicaid for Hurricane Katrina victims for up to five months. The bill would have provided full federal funding for Medicaid in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for up to one year and provided $800 million to help people who were caring for Katrina evacuees. [S.1932, Senate Vote #285, 11/3/05]

Obama voted for $2 million for research of traumatic brain injuries to improve imaging for traumatic brain injury testing and adapting current technologies to treat brain injuries suffered in war. [H.R.5631, S. Amdt. 4781, Senate Vote #222, 8/2/06; CQ, 8/2/06]

MCCAIN ON HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES

McCain’s health care plan does not prohibit discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions and disabilities. McCain’s healthcare plan would replace the existing tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health coverage with a refundable tax credit for all Americans as an incentive to purchase health insurance. However, many individuals with disabilities are denied coverage or unable to afford coverage in the private market due to pre-existing conditions and disabilities. While McCain’s plan would work with states to develop best practice models in expanding coverage to individuals who have been denied coverage, it would not prohibit discrimination. [Washington Post, 4/30/08]

McCain opposed reauthorizing SCHIP and providing insurance for millions of uninsured children. According to Knight Ridder, “The [2007] Senate proposal would provide coverage to 3.2 million” uninsured children and renew coverage for the 6 million children already covered by the program. The legislation passed 68-31. [H.R. 976, Vote #307, 8/2/07; Knight Ridder, 8/2/07]

McCain voted against $2 million of funding for research of traumatic brain injuries. McCain rejected legislation that would help improve imaging for traumatic brain injury testing and adapting current technologies to treat brain injuries suffered in war. [H.R.5631, S. Amdt. 4781, Senate Vote #222, 8/2/06; CQ, 8/2/06]

McCain opposed expanding health care for veterans.

In 2005, McCain voted against providing an additional $500 million per year for the next five years for mental health services for veterans. [S.2020, Senate Vote #343, 11/17/05]

In 2006, McCain was one of 13 senators who voted against adding $430 million for outpatient and inpatient health care and treatment for veterans. Amendment passed 84-16. [H.R.4939, Vote #98, 4/26/06]

McCain voted against granting access to Medicaid for Hurricane Katrina victims for up to five months. The Bill would have provided full federal funding for Medicaid in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for up to one year and provided $800 million to help people who were caring for Katrina evacuees. [S.1932, Senate Vote #285, 11/3/05]

McCain has not co-sponsored the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act (S.1050)

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:50:31 EDT

Here is a statement by Jennifer in Connecticut explaining why she supports Barack Obama for President:

I have represented children with disabilities for over 12 years now, having followed in the footsteps of my late father who did so for many years before me. I couldn't be more convinced that the interests of these children will not only be protected, but even expanded, with Barack Obama as our President. His vision, heart, and policies are in the right place on special education, and our children and our country can not afford another administration that talks about our most vulnerable children, but does little to actually help them.

As we near the Presidential election in just three weeks, I have been asked by many to comment on my thoughts on Gov. Palin and what she can and will do for special education students. As an attorney whose practice focuses exclusively on the representation of children with disabilities, I always investigate candidates' positions and records on this very critical moral and financial issue.

One of my clients recently suggested that I share with others what I have learned, so here it is. When Gov. Palin first came to my attention, I was, as I am sure were all of you who care about this issue, intrigued to have someone on the national platform who talks about children with special needs. Since hearing her say this repeatedly in speeches, I have been waiting, and waiting, to hear some specifics on special education reform. Most of all, I want to know what her stance is on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal statute that governs special education. The IDEA is up for reauthorization by Congress in 2010, and it is crucial that it reflect the policies and funding structure necessary to protect and appropriately educate our children with disabilities. I need to know what Gov. Palin thinks about the future of special education legislation in this country. I know where the other three on the tickets stand; Senators Obama and Biden have issued position statements on the IDEA to various parent groups, strongly supporting full funding for the IDEA and the rights of children with disabilities and their parents. The Obama-Biden website has a direct link to the ticket's position on disabilities. Senator McCain's website does not have such a link and neither he nor Palin have provided those positions on the IDEA to parent advocacy groups. Senator McCain has published a supportive position on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I was, however, extremely disappointed in his discussion on the Senate floor regarding the reauthorization of the IDEA 2004, in which he expressed his opinion that parents of children with disabilities who have to sue to secure appropriate services for their children under the statute shouldn't have their attorneys' fees covered when they win. This is not just a matter of self-interest for me; it is the difference between families, especially poor families, being able to vindicate their civil rights or not. But I knew those things, I did not know where Palin stood, and I wanted to find out.

Having waited for some specifics from her on just how she is going to be an advocate for children with special needs in the White House, I finally got close. In her recent interview with Greta Van Susteren on Fox News, she was asked what her position is. While never mentioning the IDEA at all or what needs to be changed, kept, or fixed in it, she stated that the issue that needs to be addressed is "equal access" for children with special needs.   EQUAL ACCESS? Seriously? We HAVE equal access; that is what the original version of the statute fought for in the early 70s, when children with disabilities were literally prohibited from attending our public schools. Equal access is so far in the minority of what needs to be addressed in special education I hardly know where to begin. Our problems are not that children with disabilities aren't allowed into the buildings; our problem is what happens when they get there! What about a free and appropriate public education? What about "meaningful educational benefit"? What about giving children with special needs the tools to thrive and prosper and be fully independent adults, which is what the IDEA stands for? We are decades from equal access being the key question, and apparently Gov. Palin is not aware of that fact.

Now, you might say, "Well, Jen, I am a parent of a child with special needs and I didn't know that either." Okay, my response: "Are you running for Vice President of the United States? Are you telling the nation that you would see yourself as the voice for those children within the federal government? If you were, do you think you might have looked into it a little bit?"   It is not terribly surprising to me that Gov. Palin's views on this are so far outdated.

We need major fixes in our special education system, and if you think that who is in the White House does not affect you on this issue, you couldn't be more wrong. IT MATTERS. It matters in terms of funding and at least as, if not more, importantly, enforcement. It also matters because the next President will have at least a few Supreme Court appointments to make. We have had more decisions from the United States Supreme Court in the area of special education law in the last few years than we had for decades. Those decisions have tremendous impact on whether parents have the right to have proper evaluations done for their children, how and when parents can exercise their rights under the IDEA, who has the burden of proof in due process hearings, and a myriad of other issues which directly impact our children with special needs. Whether we properly educate and embrace our children with disabilities is crucial to the future of this country, as the cost of NOT doing so will be far larger than the cost of doing so...leaving out the fact that it happens to also be the right thing to do in a great society.

This issue should be front and center for any candidate for the White House, and I write to let you know that, at least as far as Gov. Palin is concerned, it has been an opportunity not only missed, but frighteningly misunderstood. It does not bode well for her, for us, or most importantly, for the children we love who need and deserve better in an "advocate in the White House".

I will be casting my vote on November 4th for Obama-Biden, and I hope you will join me. They and their party have been on the side of children with special needs historically, and they will be on their side in the future. As our economy implodes and state and local educational budgets tighten, if we do not turn this around now, I fear that we will, once again, be fighting only for "equal access" for our kids. That is unacceptable to me.

Obama vs. McCain

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:09:59 EDT

Doug Rogers, Deputy Disability Vote Director for Obama for America, recently spoke at a Candidates’ Forum in Ohio on October 12-13. He filed this amazing report:

October 12: Athens, Ohio

I appeared at a Disability Forum in Athens, Ohio before around 30 individuals. McCain did not send a representative, but Donna M. Jones, National Coordinator, Americans with Disabilities for McCain Coalition, sent an e-mail to Margaret Demko, one of the organizers for the event, explaining why the McCain campaign did not send a representative. Her e-mail, which was read to the entire gathering and made public, stated, among other things:

"[T]he McCain Campaign does not have a vetted disability policy to release at this time. I also do not have any further information on when we might be releasing a platform discussing the Senator's stance on issues that relate to people with disabilities. I understand that in this contentious political season, the needs of people with disabilities must be addressed as part of the policy conversation. It is my hope that we will be able to release a vetted policy from Senator McCain in the near future. That being said, I will not be able to send a surrogate to discuss a policy Senator McCain has not approved."

This statement by the McCain campaign reflects one important reason I support Senator Obama. Over a year ago in 2007, Senator Obama released his comprehensive Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities. And, over a year later, Senator McCain still has not set forth any plan for Americans with disabilities. We are 23 days from electing the next President who will have a significant impact on Americans with disabilities in terms of health care, employment, education, independent living and many other important supports and services. I want a President who took the time to care enough and recognized the importance of setting forth detailed policies for our community of steps the federal government should take to empower Americans with disabilities. I do not want a President who 23 days before the election still has not released a plan for the disability community.

Their respective records are consistent with the Obama Plan and the McCain lack of plan. Senator Obama voted to extend the SCHIP program to provide health insurance to millions of currently uninsured children, many with disabilities, whereas Senator McCain voted against extending the SCHIP program. Senator Obama voted for full funding for IDEA, whereas Senator McCain has voted against full funding at least three times. Senator Obama is a co-sponsor of the Community Choice Act, whereas Senator McCain opposes the Community Choice Act.

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:34:44 EDT

Following is a statement by Gary in the San Francisco Bay Area explaining why he supports Barack Obama for President:

I'm not voting for Barack Obama because he has disability policy right - which he does. I'm voting for him because I consider him, far and away, to be the best candidate.

My disability - paraplegia from a spinal cord injury 35 years post - is only a piece of who I am as a man and as a voter. A candidate who got everything right but my disability would still get my vote - albeit with regret. It would have been painful to vote for him otherwise, given that I find his positions on foreign policy, economics, energy, education, and social issues to be spot on. Thank goodness he nailed the disability agenda, too.

I'm hard pressed to imagine a leader with the broad, progressive view of Obama NOT getting the disability agenda right. His world view is exactly about seeking a clear, objective perspective on the future and its potential, about looking at the future from the truth of the present rather than the ingrained beliefs of the past. That point of view, I believe, inevitably leads to the new and emerging truth of who people with disabilities truly are and what we have to contribute to a modern world. It inevitably points to our immense, untapped potential.

And it inevitably points to our ability to meet the needs of those who truly require support. This progressive future uses our resources wisely rather than wasting them on the unnecessary "care" of people who can contribute plenty once the artificial obstacles are removed and they get the resources that open up their possibilities.

Obama's campaign — and the number of leaders in the disability community who have worked on his behalf — proves that our agenda is inescapably connected to the true new world priorities we see in Obama's promise. Investment in independence, employment, access, technology, and health for people with disabilities is not only the ETHICALLY right thing to do; it’s FISCALLY responsible too.

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:19:27 EDT

Following is a statement from Mark in Los Angeles on why he supports Barack Obama for President:

As an American with a disability, I am voting for Barack Obama. I have many reasons why I am choosing Senator Obama over Senator McCain, but one in particular is Obama's plan to increase the employment rate of workers with disabilities.

One striking statistic that does not receive enough attention in today's world is the unemployment rate of people with disabilities. The numbers are striking--1 in 6 Americans have a disability. These people with disabilities have an employment rate 40 points below that of working-age individuals without disabilities.

Senator Obama has a comprehensive plan backed up by many important policy positions that will lower the unemployment rate of disabled Americans.

As with most employment, it all starts with education. Senator Obama is a strong proponent of funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This act is a necessary step in educating children with disabilities, but underfunding has kept the program from being a success. Senator Obama will increase funding for IDEA, which will have dramatic effects in educating children with disabilities.

Next, Senator Obama has a comprehensive plan to make more post-high school educational opportunities available to high school graduates with disabilities. He has proposed a tax credit that will ensure that the first $4000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans. This tax credit would have a profound impact on individuals with disabilities who want to attend college, but cannot due to the extraordinary cost. In addition to the tax credit, Senator Obama has a plan to make community college more productive for individuals with disabilities who transfer to universities. This will encourage individuals with disabilities to go on to higher education after attending community college.

Once an individual with a disability has the requisite training, Senator Obama has a plan to ensure that the individual can find employment. This begins by knocking down the barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from gaining employment. Senator Obama has proposed many solutions that will effectively lower the unemployment rate among disabled Americans.

Senator Obama will increase executive branch hiring of workers with disabilities. This will be done by continuing the progressive policies of President Clinton that enabled many Americans with disabilities to gain employment.

Senator Obama will encourage private-sector employers to use existing tax benefits to hire more workers with disabilities. Since the tax code already contains provisions designed to encourage employers to hire employees with disabilities, Senator Obama will encourage employers to take advantage of these already existing tax provisions.

Finally, Senator Obama has plans to ensure that Americans with disabilities stay employed. Many disabled Americans need flexibility from their employers and Senator Obama understands that. He has proposed expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act, encouraging states to adopt paid leave time, and will mandate a reasonable amount of paid sick leave.

While these are only a handful of the policies Senator Obama has proposed to increase the employment rate of disabled Americans, all of these policies will undoubtedly lower the unemployment rate of disabled Americans. It's time for Americans with disabilities to have an advocate and a friend in the White House. Judging by the policies he has proposed, Senator Obama will be exactly that.

Disability Policy Comparison of the Week

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:10:56 EDT

As we head toward Election Day, I want to focus on specific issues of how Senator Obama is the best candidate to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities. For the remaining 3 weeks, I will post my comparison of the week.

This week, I am focusing on employment. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Senator Obama’s policies and plans are unmatched to improve the dismal employment statistics for Americans with disabilities. In contrast, Senator McCain has set forth no specific policies and plans related to specifically addressing increasing employment for Americans with disabilities.

SUMMARY POINTS

As a former civil rights lawyer, Barack Obama has witnessed firsthand the destructive consequences of discrimination in the workplace and elsewhere.
He knows that such discrimination is unacceptable and must be remedied.
We must end discrimination and increase the employment rate of persons with disabilities.
Barack Obama’s policies and actions demonstrate his commitment to meet these challenges head on.
Barack Obama was an original supporter of the ADA Restoration Act and then co-sponsor of the ADA Amendments Act, which will effectively overturn those Supreme Court decisions that wrongly narrowed the Americans with Disabilities Act.
To ensure the effectiveness of this new legislation, he will appoint judges who will respect the laws that are designed to protect and empower Americans with disabilities.
Barack Obama also will increase funding to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency charged with ADA employment discrimination enforcement so that the EEOC can fully prosecute cases of discrimination.
Also, an Obama Administration will lead the way by hiring more federal employees with disabilities and encouraging private-sector companies to employ more workers with disabilities and do a better job accommodating their employees with disabilities.
Specifically, Barack Obama will reinstate Executive Order 13173, which had a mandate of hiring 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years.
Obama understands that one of the critical strategies for increasing employment among people with disabilities is to ensure they have health insurance without being forced to stop working and get coverage through Medicare or Medicaid.
Thus, Obama will sign universal health care legislation by the end of his first term in office.
Americans with disabilities will have quality, affordable, portable coverage so they can take a job without fear of losing their health insurance.
Barack Obama also grasps that we need to support our family caregivers who assist Americans with disabilities.
That’s why he has stated that we must expand the Family and Medical Leave Act so that many more Americans have access to FMLA leave.
He will initiate a 50-state strategy to encourage all states to adopt paid leave systems.
He will require that employers provide seven paid sick days per year – which may be taken on an hourly basis – so that Americans with disabilities can take the time off they need without fear of losing their jobs or a paycheck.
And, he will prevent family members from being discriminated against because of care giving responsibilities.

Barack Obama Letter to Disability Community

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:45:11 EDT

October 2, 2008

Dear Americans with Disabilities,

It's a pleasure for me to join you in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Americans with disabilities are an essential and underutilized part of our workforce. As President, I will work hard to help you achieve full equality – in the workplace, in education, and in all aspects of life.

I don’t have to tell you the dismal statistics – an employment rate 40 points below that of working-age individuals without disabilities and a federal failure to meet the disability employment targets of Executive Order 13173.

This must change – and I know that it can. Because I know that we can change it. One of the most important measures of any society is how well it enables each person to live up to his or her potential. Fairness is important, but providing you with the supports and services so you can succeed goes beyond that – it goes to the heart of our nation’s future. Because in an era of intense global competition, we can’t afford not to put everyone to work. You shouldn't be locked out of the workplace. Children with disabilities shouldn't be languishing in failing schools that doom them to a life of second class citizenship. Your talents and energies must not go to waste.

America faces great challenges right now and we won’t meet them without the help of everyone who can work. It’s that simple. That’s why it is long past time for us to break down the barriers that still exclude people with disabilities in this country and deprive you of true equality of opportunity and independence.

One of the first places we need change is in the workplace, and the federal government should take the lead. That’s why my administration will be a model for other employers in hiring and accommodating employees with disabilities. Before leaving office, President Clinton issued Executive Order No. 13173, which mandated hiring an additional 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years. Eight years later, this goal still hasn’t been reached. I will reinstate this executive order early in my term as President and designate a senior White House official to assure that all federal departments and agencies do their part to help meet this goal. I will also vigorously enforce the Rehabilitation Act, including Section 503 requiring the federal government and employers who are federal contractors to "take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities."

In addition, I will launch an aggressive effort to educate employers about tax benefits designed to encourage them to hire employees with disabilities, such as the Disabled Access Tax Credit, the Tax Deduction for Architectural and Transportation Barrier Removal, and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. They are underused and our employers can’t afford to miss out on these benefits any longer.

These actions will help many adults with disabilities increase their contributions to our society, and I believe we must do even more for the next generation. That’s why I will fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and ensure that it is effectively implemented and enforced.

This is a pivotal election, and it’s our time for change. I hope you’ll get involved, because I can’t do this alone. I need everyone to contact their friends and family to make sure they know about the issues and where the candidates stand. I need everyone who can to make phone calls and knock on doors to get the word out. Together, we can win this election. Together, we can achieve full equality for Americans with disabilities. Together, we can create the changes we seek.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama

Disability Policy Comparison of the Week

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:05:01 EDT

As we head toward Election Day, I want to focus on specific issues of how Senator Obama is the best candidate to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities. For the remaining four weeks, I will post my comparison of the week. This week, I am focusing on education.

SUMMARY POINTS:

Barack Obama believes that we must structure our society to assure that each person has the chance to acquire the education and training they need to achieve to their fullest capabilities, and opportunities to live the independent life of a full citizen in their community.
Obama knows that we can’t wait until children with disabilities arrive at the schoolhouse door to make sure they are ready to excel.
He knows that we need an aggressive early intervention strategy for children under the age of 5 to assure that every child, including children with disabilities, arrive in pre-kindergarten ready to learn.
We should heavily invest in early intervention educational and developmental programs for children between zero and five so Barack Obama will invest $10 billion per year for this effort.
We should screen all infants for the full array of potential impairments and set a national goal to re-screen all two-year-olds. Some conditions, like autism, don’t appear until age 2, so infant screening is not good enough.
Obama knows that we must do more as children grow up.
That’s why he strongly supports full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), so that elementary and secondary students with disabilities will get the free and appropriate education they should have received.
Congress promised to fund up to 40% of the states’ excess costs for educating special education students, but has funded only 17% to date.
Barack Obama knows that this is unacceptable.
Barack Obama will start a new chapter for Americans with disabilities by ensuring full enforcement of the IDEA and the protection of students’ and parents’ rights.
Barack Obama also supports expanding college opportunities for high school graduates with disabilities by making college more affordable [$4,000 fully refundable tax credit] and strengthening the community colleges that enroll almost half of all college students with disabilities.

FACTUAL OBAMA-MCCAIN COMPARISON ON EDUCATION:

OBAMA ON EDUCATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Barack Obama supports full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), early intervention and developmental programs, and expanded college opportunities for students with disabilities.

Obama voted for over $44 billion in funding for the IDEA. [SCR 21, Senate Vote #94, 3/22/07]

Obama will invest $10 billion per year in early intervention, educational and developmental programs for children between zero and five. His plan will help expand programs such as Early Head Start to serve more children with disabilities. His plan also will encourage states to expand programs for children with disabilities, such as IDEA Part C. [Obama Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities]

Obama supports increasing opportunities for college students with disabilities. He also will provide more support for these college students. Obama was an original co-sponsor of the Senate bill to reauthorize the Higher Education Act (S. 1642) which significantly expands opportunities and supports for individuals with disabilities to attend college and graduate programs. [S.1642, 110th Congress]

MCCAIN ON EDUCATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

John McCain has repeatedly voted against the IDEA even though he claims he supports full funding of it. McCain has repeatedly voted against funding for special education.

McCain repeatedly voted against funding increases for the IDEA. [H.R.4577, Senate Vote #170, 6/30/00; SCR 23, Senate Vote #103, 3/26/03]

McCain has chosen tax cuts for the wealthy over education funding for students with disabilities. Specifically, McCain voted against increasing spending in the amount of $229 billion over 10 years for the IDEA. McCain also voted against an amendment that would create a reserve fund of $73 billion in IDEA funding. The spending would have been made possible by reducing tax cuts. [SCR 23, Senate Vote #103, 3/26/03; SCR 23, Senate Vote #70, 3/21/03]

McCain did not co-sponsor reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (S. 1642). He also did not vote on passage of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act in the 110th Congress. [S.1642, 110th Congress; S. 1642, Senate Vote #275, 7/24/07]

Obama Applauds Congress' Passage of the Mental Health Parity Bill

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:57:27 EDT

http://obama.senate.gov/press/081003-obama_applauds_7/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; Friday, October 3, 2008
CONTACT: Michael Ortiz, 202 228 5566

Obama Applauds Congress' Passage of the Mental Health Parity Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the emergency economic recovery package, which included the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act:

I applaud Congress' passage of this important, bipartisan legislation, which will require health insurance companies to provide equal coverage for both mental and physical health conditions. It also expands coverage parity to include co-payments, deductibles, coinsurance, covered-hospital days, out patient visits and out of pocket expenses.
It is long past time that we ensure Americans with mental health disabilities have access to the support and treatment they need. I commend Chairman Kennedy, Senators Domenici and Enzi, and Congressmen Kennedy and Ramstad for their longtime leadership on behalf of those Americans with mental health disabilities. This legislation is truly a tribute to Senator Wellstone's legacy.

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:02:22 EDT

Here is a message from Thomas in Waverly, New York explaining why he supports Barack Obama for President.

Becoming Advocates for Change…for work….for economic self-sufficiency

Barack Obama understands the plight Americans with disabilities face. He understands the trap that poverty holds and the need to create new paths to greater economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. He believes in the ability of Americans with disabilities to inform needed change and the importance of work to all Americans. For this reason and more, he is the man to lead change for our country.

Our country is in desperate need of change. The number of individuals coming on to the disability rolls in the United States and the duration of their benefit periods have climbed dramatically over the last 20 years. Since 1980, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program has experienced significant growth in the number of people receiving disability benefits. Similarly, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit for Americans with disabilities has also experienced significant growth both in numbers and expenditures. The impact of existing work incentives on return-to-work efforts of both SSI recipients and SSDI beneficiaries does not paint a positive picture of a diverse American workforce that is representative of SSDI and SSI beneficiaries.

This is the unfortunate state of our Social Security system—a system so entrenched in a medical model of disability that it fails to recognize the societal, environmental and policy impediments that pose the real obstacles to Americans with disabilities who want to work! It’s a system that holds to an archaic standard of disability that precludes work, and fails to recognize the inherent giftedness of all Americans to work at various levels as their abilities dictate. While we have seen tremendous expansion of new and innovative approaches in the way we prepare for, attach to and advance Americans with disabilities in work, and supported these efforts with federal laws, policies and court actions, the complexity of the myriad of public entitlements and their disability/eligibility standards continue to serve as a primary roadblock to work.

Barack Obama’s Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities is a plan whose time has come! It echoes the major themes and issues which advocates and policy makers have been demanding by way of change for the past eight years—that have not been responded to. Believing that Americans with disabilities who receive Social Security and other public entitlements want to work, can work and can become more economically self-sufficient is a guiding principle that will drive our cultural, social and political plans for change under Barrack’s Administration. We know that a guiding principle is not enough though. The Obama Administration, through its proposed National Commission on People with Disabilities, Employment and Social Security, will commit to continuing to examine and implement solutions to continued work disincentives across our disability programs and reintroduce the Ticket to Work Act to better provide SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with the demand-driven services and supports they need to transition into work.

We each have a critical role to play in shaping the future of disability and social insurance policy over the next decade. Voices of beneficiaries, their families, and other stakeholders regarding their experiences with public entitlements and their efforts to work must be elevated and guide change…real change…inspired by Americans with disabilities for all Americans.

What is the Community Choice Act, and Why Does Barack Obama Support It?

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:56:07 EDT

Following up on the disability policy comparison issue of the week, please review this posting by Marc in Florida:

Barack Obama supports independent, community-based living as an option for every American with a disability. But Medicaid pays for certain services only if those services are delivered in a nursing home or other institutional setting, as opposed to in-home care. This Medicaid funding bias essentially requires individuals to live in institutional settings to get the support services they need. People with disabilities or chronic conditions who rely on Medicaid should not have to choose between receiving the medical care they need and fulfilling their desire to live among family and friends.

The Community Choice Act (CCA) will free over 2 million people with disabilities from nursing homes and other institutions by funding their personal preference for their place of living and care. This legislation gives people with disabilities a real choice by funding home-based assistance and supports. Ensuring freedom of choice is a fair, just policy that upholds the basic American value of independence.

The Community Choice Act makes financial sense too. Institutional living involves overhead that in-home living and care do not. In-home care also avoids Medicaid long-term care payment for institutional services that have little to do with health or dignity. Furthermore, family members are generally more motivated to help a person with a chronic condition or disability make the most of every day. The basic reasons for supporting the Community Choice Act don’t require statistics or accountings, just common sense.

Senator Barack Obama supports the Community Choice Act. He has stated: "[t]his legislation is vitally important to the independence, community integration, and equality of hundreds of thousands of Americans with disabilities.” It will help to empower them "to take full advantage of their talents" and "ensure that everyone can live independently as full citizens in their communities.” Senator Obama believes that the federal government should help states increase the supply of high-quality community-based settings for individuals with disabilities by providing additional grants for new and expanded live-in care arrangements.

Senator Obama is not alone in wanting to end the Medicaid funding bias in favor of institutionalization and against home-based assistance. Many major disability rights organizations, healthcare professionals and caregivers support and endorse the CCA. These groups and professionals know that the CCA guarantees people with disabilities equal access to home and community-based services, giving them the choice to live as independently as possible.

Barack Obama also co-sponsors CCA companion legislation like the Community Living Assistance, Services and Supports (CLASS) Act. The CLASS Act will create a voluntary, budget-neutral national insurance program to help individuals with functional needs get the necessary financial support required for independent living. Barack Obama also supports the Fostering of Independence Through Technology Act, which combines 21st century technology with direct health and hygiene assistance for safe, appropriate community-based care.

Barack Obama knows that Americans with disabilities often rely on direct care workers. An Obama administration will address the shortage of direct care workers by increasing their shamefully low wages and seeing that they may receive pay for overtime work. An Obama administration will provide high quality, affordable health coverage to direct care professionals and to all Americans. These essential industry initiatives will make quality care equally available in both home and group settings.

Despite all the evidence that makes clear that the Community Choice Act is the right legislative choice, Senator John McCain opposes it. At a Denver town hall meeting, John McCain said, “I don't think that it's the right kind of legislation.” Senator McCain has been clear about his opposition: “[t]he Community Choice Act is not a piece of legislation that I support.” [McCain Town Hall, 7/7/08] Among the several incorrect reasons he opposes CCA, at a presidential forum on disability issues, Senator McCain, without any facts to support him, incorrectly claimed that the CCA would cost too much. John McCain is wrong about the CCA, Barack Obama is right, and Americans with disabilities know it.

The Community Choice Act does more than just provide dignity to people with disabilities and chronic conditions. The CCA is cost-effective legislation that cuts back on living expenses otherwise charged to Medicaid. Equally important, the CCA advances the values of all Americans by promoting equality and freedom of choice, the bedrock of our great nation. Senator Obama understands these important points, which is why he vigorously supports the Community Choice Act. And his support for the CCA is one of the many reasons that growing numbers of people with disabilities are voting for Barack Obama for President.

Disability Policy Comparison of the Week

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:07:13 EDT

As we head toward Election Day, I want to focus on specific issues of how Senator Obama is the best candidate to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities. For the remaining 5 weeks, I will post my comparison of the week. This week, I am focusing on living independently in the community.

SUMMARY POINTS

Barack Obama knows that the federal government must provide supports and services for many Americans with Disabilities living and working independently in the community.
Barack Obama is a full supporter of legislation that would provide the needed supports for Americans with disabilities living and working independently in the community.
He believes that we should encourage states to provide even more high-quality community-based living.
And, we should expand access to the remarkable array of assistive technologies that help to make independence a reality.
That’s why Barack Obama is a co-sponsor of the Community Choice Act (“CCA”), which provides people with disabilities the supports they need to live independently in their communities.
He also is a supporter of the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (“CLASS”) Act.
You can view Senator Obama verbally stating his support for these legislative actions by clicking here.
Senator McCain is not a supporter of the Community Choice Act. When asked why he isn’t a supporter, he stated that the CCA will cost too much. You can view his statements by clicking here.

FACTUAL COMPARISON ON INDEPENDENT LIVING

OBAMA ON SUPPORT FOR LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY

Obama is a co-sponsor of the CCA of 2007. Obama believes that individuals should be able to make their own choices for their living arrangements and live independently in their communities. [S.799, 110th Congress]

Obama is a co-sponsor of the CLASS Act Of 2007. This bill would help individuals with functional impairments pay for services that they need to maximize their independence. [S.1758, 110th Congress]

MCCAIN ON SUPPORT FOR LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY

McCain strongly opposes the CCA. Asked about the CCA at a Town Hall in Denver, McCain said “The Community Choice Act is not a piece of legislation that I support.” [McCain Town Hall, 7/7/08]

Statement of Senator Barack Obama on ADA Amendments Act Becoming Law

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:11:46 EDT

"Today the president signed much-needed legislation that reinstates the important protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA was a historic milestone when it was signed into law 18 years ago, but recent decisions by the Supreme Court severely restricted the scope of the Act. As a result, people with multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions could not enjoy the full protections of the law. That is unacceptable.

"Today, we correct that mistake. The ADA Amendments Act restores the original intent of Congress to protect the civil rights of all Americans with disabilities. But this entire process shows why we need judges who will honor the intent of the ADA and similar laws designed to protect the civil rights of all Americans.

"I was proud to co-sponsor the ADA Amendments Act and I want to commend Senator Tom Harkin and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer for their leadership on this issue. But we must not let this milestone be the end of our journey. There is still much to do to ensure that we fully protect those of us living with disabilities, and live up to our founding promise of equality and opportunity for all Americans."

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:15:49 EDT

Below is a statement from Adele in California on why she supports Barack Obama:

As goes the United States, so go people with disabilities, but much, much worse. Let’s face it, the disabled are the most vulnerable part of society. In the last eight years, the U.S. economy has sunk to depths that I never thought I’d have to deal with in my lifetime. I truly thought this kind of economic recession, where it’s reported that 1 in 10 Americans are in default on their mortgages, was a waking nightmare limited to my grandparents’ generation. Physically or mentally challenged people trail the nation in terms of income, healthcare, and general accessibility. Under President Bush’s watch, disabled people have become poorer, still can’t get insurance, and have seen many of the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) go un-enforced.
When I read the well-thought-out, detailed Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities by Barack Obama, my heart fills with hope again for those of us with disabilities. Barack will enforce and expand the ADA. “Barack Obama believes the United States should lead the world in empowering people,” reads a quote from his text. As we stand now, America lags greatly behind the ADA’s aims when it comes to taking care of and insuring fairness for the disabled. Barack’s plan to empower people with disabilities will go a long way in correcting the income disparity. Access to buildings and other public places will be assured. It’s hard to work if you can’t get into the building. Healthcare will be provided to those of us with disabilities. The words “pre-existing condition” will no longer strike fear in the hearts of the disabled, and it will no longer be a means by which the healthcare corporations rake in record profits. This promise may not be a catchy sound bite, but it will improve life for those of us with physical or mental challenges.
As a people, should we be judged on how we treat and care for the most vulnerable part of our society? Or as a nation are we going to act as if the extra steps it takes to improve the lives of the disabled are too much? I think of the people who moan and whine because they have to walk a little farther after a disabled person with a placard parked in the closest spot. I’d gladly trade my parking permit for not having to deal with cerebral palsy everyday.
The first President Bush claimed to want to help the disabled through “compassionate conservatism”. Didn’t that sound nice? I know I was hopeful when the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) passed. But after all that fanfare and publicity, what really changed for us?
The answer is nearly nothing. Now the Republican ticket is taking the stage again, reciting familiar lines about helping the disabled and being “a friend in the White House” to those with special needs. But their platform doesn’t support their contentions. McCain/Palin oppose the Community Choice Act and universal healthcare, two initiatives with profound implications for people with disabilities. Obama/Biden support them both.
In addition to making roughly half the income per year as able-bodied people, people with disabilities are under or uninsured. If they’re wronged in a way that should be protected by the ADA, recourse in this country is slim to none. All of that would change with Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the White House. Their platform is empowering and inclusive of all people with disabilities.

Americans with disabilities are exhausted from empty promises and stagnation of disability-friendly legislation. The retort that healthcare, research and quality of life programs for the disabled cost too much is contrary to our understanding and protection of equal rights. Inclusion and kindness never cost too much. That is why I’m voting Barack Obama for President.

Housing

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:29:57 EDT

Senator Obama has demonstrated his commitment to Americans with disabilities on a myriad of issues, including full support of the Community Choice Act, IDEA, the Mental Health Parity Act, just to name a few.

Housing is no different. Indeed, Barack Obama was the very first presidential candidate to answer the candidates’ questionnaire propounded by AAPD, ADAPT, NCIL and SABE. Among other issues addressed in that questionnaire, Senator Obama responded to the issues surrounding housing for Americans with disabilities.

Notably, to date, Senator McCain still has not responded to that questionnaire about housing or anything else. Those and other responses by Barack Obama can be found by clicking here.

Senator Obama, as a former civil rights lawyer, understands the importance of ensuring that all Americans have the same opportunities and rights. He knows that we must ensure that the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity within the Department of Housing and Urban Development is adequately funded and staffed so that they are able to fully investigate all meaningful discrimination claims made by individuals with disabilities.

Because he understands these housing issues for Americans with disabilities, he has a history of fighting for housing for Americans with disabilities. For example, in the Illinois Senate, he was the chief co-sponsor of a bill to include persons with disabilities within the provisions granting an assessment freeze homestead exception to senior citizens.

He supports improving the supply of affordable housing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. He also supports examining additional approaches to incentivizing states to increase the supply of affordable, safe and quality housing for individuals with disabilities.

Senator Obama has time and time again demonstrated his belief and commitment to improving the lives of all Americans and Americans with disabilities. The fact that he was the very first candidate, and the only person of the remaining candidates, to answer the questionnaire and squarely address the issues facing our community, including housing, leaves no doubt that if Americans with disabilities seek to have their lives changed and improved, Barack Obama is the only candidate for them.

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:17:14 EDT

Below is a statement from Carol in Chatsworth, California on why she supports Barack Obama:

I support Barack Obama because the time has come to stop talking about decent health care and to actually start giving Americans decent health care. Six years ago I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and psoriatic arthritis; both are autoimmune diseases. Pulmonary fibrosis is an incurable lung disease that causes scarring in the lungs.

I am supporting Barack Obama because he is the only candidate who acknowledges that we are not doing enough for those with disabilities. There are medicines that my doctors have prescribed but which I cannot take because of the costs. When I was working, I did all the right things. I worked hard and earned a good living. Now I live on disability and I make too much to receive assistance but not enough to afford all my medicine. Because I am in the doughnut hole in Medicare right now, one of my medicines that cost me $8 last month, cost me $235 this month. I had to put it on a credit card.

I know that pulmonary fibrosis or a complication thereof will eventually kill me and that's okay. I've already lived longer than anyone thought I would. But what about the people who come after me? No one should have to say to their pharmacist, "I'm sorry, I can't afford that medicine. Please put it back on the shelf." My doctor should have have to look for the cheapest medicine for me; he should only be looking for the medicine that might work best.

These are only some of the reasons that I am supporting Barack Obama for President but they are the reasons that are most personal to me right now.

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:21:31 EDT

Following is a statement by Lara in Oakland, California on why she supports Barack Obama:

It is important that we have a president who represents ALL CITIZENS, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, or ability. Barack Obama has demonstrated that he will be an advocate for not only those who look like him, or can move like him or see or hear like him, but for everyone. This is the kind of president we want.

In recent years, the Bush administration has passed legislation limiting the effectiveness of the ADA, cutting the funding of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. These programs that protect employees from discrimination are essential to the well-being of many of our country's citizens, and the cuts that have been applied to them are a major step backwards in our attempt to ensure equality in the workplace. Obama has made disability rights a priority in his campaign. With his election, these programs would become fully funded again, and we will be able to set on our path once more toward full equality in the workplace. The full funding of these essential programs is a promise that John McCain has yet to make.

As a person with epilepsy who also works with children, I have feared for my job on numerous occasions when I shouldn't have had to. My epilepsy is well-controlled with medication, but just to be on the safe side, I always wear a medical ID bracelet. Knowing the laws regarding epilepsy and employment, I have worried that if my boss were to question why I wore it, and I were to tell him/her, I would have the potential to lose my job, even though I have been seizure-free. Some of my other fellow people with epilepsy have shared the same fear. We should not have to feel that.

A vote for Obama is most definitely a vote for disability rights. He is good for the country in many, many ways, but it has been made clear that he stands aside from McCain as a tireless advocate for equality.

Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the Senate Adoption of the ADA Amendments Act

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:42:33 EDT

CHICAGO, IL – U.S. Senator Barack Obama today issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s adoption of S. 3406, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008. Senator Obama has strongly supported the proposal since the introduction of a companion bill in the House, and the Senate bill was adopted by unanimous consent on Thursday.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is one of the key civil rights laws of this century, but its impact has been diminished over the years by the appointment of judges who have not honored that original intent. The Senate’s adoption of this bill takes us one step closer to ensuring that discrimination against people with disabilities is rejected in both our laws and our actions. I am proud to have supported this legislation from the beginning and to be a co-sponsor of this critical legislation, and I am proud of what the Senate has done. As president, I look forward to appointing judges who will respect the original intent of the ADA.

While many people have worked tirelessly on this issue, I want to particularly commend Senator Tom Harkin and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer for their tireless work on this issue. They are both rightly recognized as leaders on this issue, and I am pleased that Tom serves as my closest disability policy advisor.

I am confident that someday soon, we will see the ADA Amendments Act signed into law, helping the 54 million Americans that live with disabilities. But this must not be seen as the end – much more needs to be done. We still need to provide additional funding for early intervention services for children, fully fund and aggressively enforce the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and pass the Community Choice Act. There are many other steps that we need to take to ensure that Americans with disabilities can live with dignity and independence. I have been a supporter of these legislative actions as a Senator, and, as president, I will lead the fight to level the playing field and open up the American dream to all Americans with disabilities.

Why I Support Senator Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:56:04 EDT

Following is a statement by Barbara of Scarsdale, New York on why she supports Barack Obama:

I am an education attorney, an impartial hearing officer, and an adjunct professor. But first and foremost, I am a parent. I have two daughters with disabilities. My youngest daughter is developmentally delayed while an older daughter is extremely bright but she has Tourette’s Syndrome. I support Senator Barack Obama.
Senator Barack Obama believes in empowering people with disabilities to become independent integrated members of society. He works closely with individuals with disabilities and disability advocates to achieve this vision of a society where all can live with dignity and respect.

This vision supports my hopes and dreams for my youngest daughter. I want her to have continued educational opportunities. I want her to experience the satisfaction of contributing to her community with her own work. And I want her to be accepted as a valued member of the community.

Barack Obama has a four-part plan to provide individuals with disabilities with access to the same opportunities as other Americans: (1) provide educational opportunities; (2) end discrimination and promote equality; (3) increase employment rates; and (4) support independent community-based living. This plan not only provides children with disabilities and their families with programs and services, but it also establishes comprehensive national goals and priorities. Senator Obama’s plan is the realization of my dreams for my own daughter.

Support Universal Screening: Barack Obama believes that we should ensure that all states have comprehensive newborn screening programs, and he supports setting a national goal to re-screen all two-year-olds – the age at which autism spectrum disorders appear.

Early Intervention: Senator Obama recognizes that children with disabilities or special health needs face challenges in the early years that can set them behind their peers before they ever enter school. Barack Obama will invest in early intervention educational and developmental programs for children from birth to age five, and integrate these programs with other early childhood programs.

Special Education: Full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is one of Senator Obama’s top educational priorities. Congress originally promised to shoulder 40% of each state’s excess cost of educating children with disabilities, but the federal government now only provides 17% of the excess funding. As a result, our children are being short-changed and parents are forced to fight with cash-strapped school districts to get their children the education the IDEA promises.

But full funding of IDEA is not enough. The success of the IDEA depends on parents, students, and educators working together in a cooperative effort. When that does not happen, the United States Department of Education has authority to enforce implementation of the IDEA. Eight years ago, the National Council on Disability (NCD) found that the United States Department of Education had made little use of its enforcement authority and that virtually the entire burden of enforcing IDEA was left to parents. Sadly, that is still true today. As parents of children with disabilities, we face many daily challenges. We should not also carry the burden of enforcing federal law that is supposed to assist us.

An Obama administration will ensure effective implementation and enforcement of the IDEA while ensuring that public schools get the support they need to meet the promise of the IDEA.

Transition to Work and Higher Education: As President, Barack Obama will task his Secretary of Education to conduct a comprehensive study of access to higher education or transition to the workforce by students with disabilities.

Improving Mental Health Care: Mental illness affects approximately one in five American families. Parents often struggle to pay for mental health services for their children. As President, Senator Obama will support mental health parity so that coverage for serious mental illnesses is provided on the same terms as other illnesses.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Senator Obama believes that we must do more to help support Americans with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their families, and their communities. Senator Obama will fully fund the Combating Autism Act and research initiatives, and he has pledged to appoint a federal Autism Spectrum Disorder coordinator to oversee federal efforts in this area.

Senator Obama has the voting record and the specific policies to realize a vision of an inclusive society where all can live with dignity and respect. As a mother devoted to the future well-being of my daughters and as an attorney working to ensure equal educational opportunities for all children, I share that vision. That is why I support Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer Responds to Governor Palin on Disability Issues in Support of Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:00:17 EDT

Statement of House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer:

"Last week, Sarah Palin gave a good performance, but she failed to offer any real solutions. In particular, she claimed that she and John McCain would be a 'friend and advocate' for families with special needs children -- but her rhetoric certainly doesn't match John McCain's poor, 26-year record in Washington, DC. Americans with disabilities -- of all ages -- and their families will have no stronger ally in the White House than an Obama Administration. Senator Obama is committed to ensuring that America is a country without unnecessary barriers, stereotypes and discrimination. He strongly believes that America must show the same leadership it did when it enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act - that we must empower people with disabilities to take full advantage of their talents and become integrated members of society.

"Senator Obama fully supports the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and has repeatedly voted for full funding and full enforcement. And while Senator McCain has recently made campaign promises to fully fund this vital measure, in years past, he has opposed full funding. Senator Obama also supports the Community Choice Act, a measure that Senator McCain opposes. This legislation would give Americans with disabilities, and older Americans, increased access to community-based services. Senator Obama has also called for an investment in early intervention educational and developmental programs for children, covering those with disabilities or special health needs.

"Senator McCain also opposed reauthorizing SCHIP -- saying no to providing insurance for millions of uninsured children, including those with disabilities and special needs. And, McCain's healthcare plan would not prohibit discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions and disabilities -- creating a huge roadblock for American families that are changing insurance companies. Clearly, Senator McCain's record doesn't match the rhetoric we heard from Minneapolis.

"As Congress goes back into session this week, federal lawmakers have a chance to pass the ADA Amendments Act. To his credit, Senator McCain has joined Senator Obama in co-sponsoring this vital legislation. But when we look at the records of these two candidates, it is crystal clear that Senator Obama has, and will continue to support, Americans with disabilities. I strongly support his vision of a society where all can live with dignity and respect."
###
Monday, September 8, 2008
Obama Press Office, (312)819-2423

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:42:39 EDT

Below is a statement from Erica in Woodland Hills, California on why she supports Senator Obama:

Anyone with a disability or who is affected by a friend or family member with a disability, as well as those who value our troops and want to show vital support for the countless number of servicemen and women who are returning to home with permanent life-altering disabilities, should be strong supporters of Barack Obama for President.

With millions of Americans with disabilities, it’s time those individuals have equal opportunities and the support they deserve and require. Barack Obama has long been an advocate of individuals with disabilities and has a proven record in this area. It is shocking to me that currently lower courts (based on conservative Supreme Court rulings) have held that people with epilepsy and diabetes can be fired from their jobs because they have those conditions! Obama supports the ADA Restoration Act which would overturn the Supreme Court decisions that have limited ADA’s effectiveness. And while the Bush Administration has cut funding for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs – the agencies that protect workers with disabilities, Obama has committed to fully funding these agencies and ensuring they are adequately staffed.

My brother is legally blind and is on the Autism Spectrum (ASD - more than 1 million Americans have been likewise diagnosed). Barack Obama has a proven track record of supporting parents and families living with ASD, including sponsoring legislation that became law, and will seek to increase federal ASD funding.

I am very familiar with Social Security Disability programs and know that rather than assist persons with disabilities, the current application/appeal process can take months and even years, adding to the challenges individuals with disabilities already face. Barack Obama will ensure that these agencies have the funding necessary to expedite these processes.

It is important to note that Senator McCain has said he will not support the Community Choice Act – proposed bi-partisan legislation that would give people with disabilities opportunities for personal choice – and for dignity. McCain would follow in Bush’s footsteps and cut funding for and/or not support programs that could provide life altering education and support for persons with disabilities.

It’s time we have a president that will reinstate and enforce Executive Order No. 13173, which was issued by President Clinton before he left office, but which has not been enforced under a Republican president. Barack Obama expects the federal government to be an example for other employers in hiring and accommodating employees with disabilities. Obama will reinstate Executive Order No. 13173 which requires the federal government (the largest employer in the U.S.) to hire 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years. Furthermore, he will provide private employers with resources and encourage them to use existing tax benefits to hire more workers with disabilities.

There is no doubt that Barack Obama truly understands the barriers that face Americans with disabilities and their friends and families and that he is committed to respecting the rights of people with disabilities and to providing them with educational and work opportunities allowing them to experience a life of dignity and respect. There are numerous reasons why I will vote for Obama for President – and his commitment to the important issues facing the 54 million Americans with disabilities is just one reason.

A Great Convention

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:13:06 EDT

This is the first of three installments discussing the fantastic Democratic National Convention related to Americans with disabilities. It was an outstanding convention, and I hope to capture the essence of the wonderful events.

On Monday, we were able to arrange a meeting among ADAPT (that has its birth place in Denver), AFL-CIO and AFSCME to discuss union support of the Community Choice Act. National leaders from ADAPT and legislative leaders from both AFL-CIO and AFSCME participated by phone as well as in person. The meeting took place at the Atlantis Community Center. It was an extremely positive meeting, at which the various groups agreed to continue to work together to attempt to solidify union support for the Community Choice Act. All parties agreed that the groups have mutual interests. This is the kind of coalition building that Senator Obama has done throughout his career.

Tuesday marked the first disability caucus meeting. We had a fantastic caucus meeting that featured videos of Senator Obama, legislative speakers, a welcome exchange of ideas and a policy discussion. We started the caucus by showing different videos of Senator Obama affirming his support of Americans with disabilities. We also showed a video of Senator McCain stating that he does not support the Community Choice Act. The links to the videos we showed are below:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/disabilities/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ5ewmjhkZ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8MB2qTYSM

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gGx99X

Congressman Keith Ellison from Minnesota joined us and provided some very powerful words of support for Americans with disabilities. Congressman Ellison is a long time supporter of the disability community. He is going to be a surrogate speaker for Senator Obama at the upcoming Abilities Expo in Minneapolis, and we appreciate him taking the time to speak at the caucus.

In the true sense of caucusing, local leaders from the disability community in Colorado spoke on key disability policies that they felt were important to their community and the disability community at large, including the Community Choice Act, appointment of judges who respect the ADA, education, among several others. We also had a fantastic discussion with the persons who attended the caucus to discuss these issues.

Following the above discussion, we had a panel discussion about Senator Obama’s policies for Americans with disabilities. And, it was clearly demonstrated that the vast majority of the issues raised by the disability leaders in Colorado already are addressed in Senator Obama’s Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities. For example, Senator Obama already has verbally (see above video) and in writing stated his full support of the Community Choice Act. Moreover, he has committed to full funding and enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). And, he has stated he will appoint judges who will respect and enforce the true intent of the ADA. Indeed, he is an original co-sponsor of the ADA Restoration Act.

Consequently, the two discussions simply drove home that Senator Obama is the candidate of choice for Americans with disabilities.

Tuesday concluded with a fantastic convention speech that included a passionate discussion of Americans with disabilities. Governor David Paterson provided some very powerful words about the employment rate of persons with disabilities. An excerpt from his speech is below, and you can read the full text of his speech at:

http://www.demconvention.com/david-paterson/

Excerpt from Governor David Paterson's Convention Speech
The promise of America has also diminished for people with disabilities. Only 37 percent of Americans with disabilities are employed. Only 30 percent of blind people are employed. And, over the past 8 years, the employment gap between people with disabilities and the general population has increased. There is only one question in this race: which candidate offers the change we need to restore the promise of America?

* * *

Only one candidate in this race offers the change we need to restore the promise of America: a person of integrity, honesty, and love for his country, Barack Obama. Barack Obama has the right strategy—from middle class tax cuts, to fair trade policies, to investment in infrastructure-to get our economy moving again. And just as he fought for people with disabilities as a civil rights lawyer, Barack Obama will fight for us as president. For example, he has pledged to work with Congress to overturn Supreme Court decisions that wrongly narrowed the Americans with Disabilities Act. Here is the choice America faces in 2008. John McCain offers us four more years of the broken politics, broken policies, and broken promises of the past. I have a better idea. Let’s give them four more months—and then elect Barack Obama, who will restore prosperity; deliver the change we need; and write a new chapter in the promise of America.

Why I Support Barack Obama for President

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:39:58 EDT

Below is a statement from Mary on why she supports Barack Obama for President:

WHY I SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

We need a president who will work to fund programs that will help people with disabilities get jobs that will use the full range of abilities they possess. A disability is such a small part of a whole human being. I know because my own daughter became blind at 22 as a result of the complications of diabetes.

Kyle was brilliant, hard working, used a talking computer and would have been an asset in any office. But it was as if she had lost her intelligence when she lost her eyesight. As soon as a possible employer saw her white cane, he eliminated her as a possible candidate for a job opening.

So she volunteered to work at the Office of Handicapped Affairs in Boston and one day they asked her to testify before the Massachusetts State Senate Ways and Means Committee at the State House to pry some more funds for her organization out of the state budget. While testifying, she managed to mention that she was looking for a job, in case anyone was interested. The chairperson of the committee, Senator Patricia McGovern was interested and hired her.

And that's how Kyle landed a job, a real paying job, in the State House in Boston, counseling the Senator's constituents on agencies and organizations available to help them on health, education, housing, and every other issue that troubles people.

There are thousands of people like Kyle who could be valuable, contributing members of our society -- people who would work hard, bring unique personal experience to the problems in business, corporations, non-profit organizations and many other places that turn away qualified individuals only because they have a disability.

I think Senator Obama understands this and will help educate employers to consider hiring people whose skills shouldn't be defined by a disability. He is a man of compassion and practicality. He knows that his father-in-law's multiple sclerosis didn't rob him of his worth. He knows that we can learn from every person born into this world and he doesn't have fixed, narrow-minded opinions of anyone because of physical limitations.

Senator Obama has promised to increase federal government recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of workers with disabilities. He wants to provide private sector employers with the resources to accommodate employees with disabilities and to educate them about tax benefits that will encourage them to hire more people with disabilities. He wants to support small businesses that are owned by people with disabilities. And he will prevent and prohibit discrimination against family caregivers.

We need a president who understands how enriched our society will be if we include people with a disability -- but who are not disabled human beings -- in our work force.

We need a president who cares.

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:13:30 EDT

Below is a statement from Marcie in Maryland on why she supports Barack Obama:

I am deeply offended by John McCain's admission that he has no idea how many homes he owns. This admission is ESPECIALLY offensive since millions of Americans with disabilities won't even be able to leave institutions in a McCain administration, because he has no intention of eliminating the institutional bias in Medicaid by supporting passage of the Community Choice Act. In light of this, McCain's efforts to paint Barack Obama as an elitist are especially egregious, when he doesn't even know how many homes he has and he told reporters he'd have to "ask his staff"! Perhaps this would just be laughable if John McCain planned to address the problems that prevent millions of Americans from having access to health care and affordable, accessible housing and community supports, but, his plan for access to health care that excludes millions of people with disabilities is no laughing matter. In contrast, as president, Barack Obama will work to make sure families like mine and many others will have access to the very same health insurance as both Senator Obama and Senator McCain under Senator Obama's Universal Health Care Plan.
When my daughter was 12, she had a stroke. Even though I had a good job and decent enough health insurance, her medical bills over the next few years were sky high and I couldn't keep up with them. I lost everything, including my house. In July 2005, after a long journey back to financial stability, I was once again fortunate enough to become a homeowner through a subprime mortgage that I was then able to convert to a 30 year fixed mortgage 18 months later. I appreciate how lucky I am and I am thankful every day for the opportunity to own a home. I am a single parent with two children, and we all have disabilities. Having a home for us all provides vital stability that benefits us all tremendously. And, having decent health insurance that allows us to afford the health care that we need to maximize our health and minimize complications has made a huge difference. My children have also benefited tremendously from services they receive through IDEA, vocational rehabilitation, Social Security and a Medicaid waiver program. Before he was found eligible for a Medicaid waiver, I was told less than three years ago that my son would need to be institutionalized! Access to health care, stable housing and appropriate home, educational and community supports have enabled my daughter to graduate from college and she starts grad school next week! And my son will graduate from high school this year, so far with a 3.75 GPA and two summer internships in the NASA robotics lab under his belt!
I want other families to have the same outcomes that my family is enjoying, and it's just hard to see how that can happen in an administration led by a guy who doesn't have a problem with the institutional bias in Medicaid, and who is clueless about his own incredible good fortune with a place (or seven) to live and access to a health insurance plan that won't leave his family homeless! I have one home and one vote and they both mean the world to me. My one vote goes to Barack Obama!

New Video Statement from Barack Obama on Americans with Disabilities

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:17:15 EDT

[Note: This video comes from YouTube, so it is not captioned and I am aware of that. The campaign has not yet processed the video for Barack TV, but once it does, the video will be fully captioned.]

Please see the below blog posting by Seth, the Co-Chair of the Disability Policy Committee.

For months now, Barack Obama has been talking about disability issues with voters on the stump: how to break down the barriers that exclude people with disabilities from jobs; the importance of universal health care to Americans of all kinds, including people with disabilities; and providing the supports that people with disabilities need to live independent lives in their communities.

Unfortunately, we don't always have video of these discussions on the campaign trail. But click here for one user-generated video that's available on YouTube showing Barack Obama answering a question from the mother of a child with Down's Syndrome. Barack doesn't just show his support for Americans with disabilities and their families, although he certainly does that. He also explains why he strongly supports full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. I encourage you to spend a few minutes. It's worth watching.

As a contrast, click here for a video of Senator McCain's statement about the fact that he doesn't support the Community Choice Act. And click here for McCain's prior public statement against the CCA.

Editorial by National Disability Vote Director

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:25:14 EDT

As we prepare for the convention and Senator Obama’s historic acceptance of the Democratic nomination, I thought I would share some of my personal thoughts about Senator Obama and his campaign for the Presidency.

EDITORIAL
by Kareem Dale
National Disability Vote Director
Obama for America

Hope. Change. “Yes We Can.” For many doubters, these are just words. But for Americans with disabilities who grew up without closed captioning, without descriptive video to describe movies, without computers that talk, without accessible forms of communication, without the Americans with Disabilities Act, words are at the foundation of progress. And these words ring true; true with the promise of a better tomorrow, the promise of educational equality, the promise of equal access to employment, the promise of the right to live independently, the promise of the ending of discrimination based on disabilities and the promise that all Americans, no matter their disability, will be treated the same as every other American. For me, an American with the disability of being blind, Senator Barack Obama embodies the very qualities that are needed in our next President to ensure that Americans with disabilities will have a full, fair and equal opportunity to compete for every scholarship, every award, every job, every athletic contest, every movie role, every music contract, and every single thing that a person’s mind can fathom.

For far too long, words have been used negatively to attempt to stunt the progress of Americans with disabilities. The word “can’t” has been said so many times to me, it might as well be tattooed on my chest. Whether it’s we can’t tie our shoes, we can’t work in a mainstream classroom, we can’t succeed in college, we can’t keep up with the “regular” students in a top tier law school or graduate program, we can’t possibly excel at a large law firm or Fortune 100 company, we can’t, we simply can not, these are the words that Americans with disabilities continue to hear every day. And now, we have a candidate who is saying “Yes, We Can,” and who is committed to real change. With this change comes true empowerment and the realization for all Americans with disabilities that absolutely anything is possible. Senator Obama’s previous legislative record illustrates his staunch support of Americans with disabilities. Senator Obama has been on the front lines of ensuring safety for people with disabilities. For example, he sponsored and voted for a bill that created the Emergency Evacuation Plan for People with Disabilities Act. Senator Obama also sponsored and voted to create the Abuse of Adults with Disabilities Intervention Act, which protects adults with disabilities from harassment, intimidation and interference with personal liberty. I believe these examples of Senator Obama’s tireless work demonstrate that he is a man on whom Americans with disabilities can rely.

Not only has Senator Obama’s previous work shown his commitment to Americans with disabilities, but his plans and policies for the future indeed give all Americans with disabilities reason for hope. I am ecstatic that we have a candidate who is going to stand front and center and lead the charge for government action for Americans with disabilities. Senator Obama is willing to hold Congress’ feet to the fire by ensuring that it holds up its end of the bargain and fund 40% of the excess costs of educating children with disabilities under the IDEA rather than the 17% it has gotten away with. In addition, Senator Obama is going to invest $10 billion per year in early education and developmental programs for children between zero and five. That’s the type of real change that Americans with disabilities desire.

We also have a candidate who is going to make sure that there is sufficient funding for vocational rehab programs, which are critical to supporting Americans with disabilities and their successful matriculation through college and graduate programs. I could not have succeeded in college or law school without vocational rehab services, but there must be substantial improvement in those programs. Senator Obama is ready to institute the necessary improvements. That’s the type of change that Americans with disabilities long for.

Americans with disabilities deserve to have equal employment opportunities. Senator Obama is the candidate to provide those opportunities. In fact, he’s willing to start with the federal government by increasing its recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of workers with disabilities. He also will ensure that Americans with disabilities can more effectively participate in the labor market by creating a National Commission on People with Disabilities, Employment and Social Security to address work disincentives in the SSDI, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid programs. That’s the type of change that Americans with disabilities must have.

I am honored to be working for a candidate that supports the right of Americans with disabilities to live independently. Senator Obama is a sponsor of the Community Choice Act, which will put Americans with disabilities back in control of their living arrangements.

From ensuring that all voting polling locations are fully accessible, to appointing judges who understand the importance of enforcing the ADA, to providing additional funds to the EEOC to enforce discrimination laws, to expanding the Family Leave Act, Senator Barack Obama is the candidate to lead the push for equality for Americans with disabilities. Because of Barack Obama, the 54 million Americans who live with disabilities in this country will now have an equal shot at realizing the American dream. Speaking as one of those Americans and as the National Disability Vote Director for Obama for America, I am proud to advocate for the disability vote on behalf of the next President of the United States, Barack Obama, a man that I believe will substantially improve the lives of all Americans with disabilities.

Why I Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:24:32 EDT

Below is a statement from Henry in Colorado on why he supports Senator Obama:

Why I Support Barack Obama

Electing Obama Will Make a Difference
As a former Medicare and Medicaid beneficiary who relies on personal assistance services, I’d like to tell you why I support Barack Obama for President. For many years, people with disabilities across the country have worked to improve the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Under the leadership of Barack Obama, people with Medicare and/or Medicaid will enjoy greater access to the community living services that make it possible for many people with significant disabilities to lead meaningful lives. As a co-sponsor of the Community Choice Act, Senator Obama’s commitment to ending the institutional bias in Medicaid is clear and strong. Getting Congress to change the Medicaid program is critical for those who depend on personal assistance services and supports, and I believe an Obama administration will stay focused on making this happen.

Another important commitment of the Obama campaign is to make home health services under the Medicare program available in a way that does not result in Americans with disabilities being trapped in their homes just to receive these services. Changing the Medicare’s homebound requirement has been the subject of numerous advocacy campaigns mounted by people with disabilities. Requiring people to remain in their homes to receive these critical, often life-sustaining services is cruel and Obama will take action to modify how the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS is the federal agency that operates these programs) interprets the homebound concept. While the Medicare program does not make home- and community-based services and personal assistance services available in the same way that Medicaid does, it can be improved and Obama is committed to doing so.

A vote for Barack Obama is a vote for increased independence for the millions of Americans that need personal assistance services. By electing Obama as President, Americans will make a statement regarding how they want their government to administer these vital public programs. Medicare and Medicaid must continue to be improved and under Barack’s leadership, Americans will see real progress in making community living services available to those that need them.

As one who has worked for the agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid, I know that Obama’s commitment to the needs of people with disabilities will make a difference in how these programs operate. Please join me and vote for Barack Obama because only with his leadership can we continue to make the needed improvements to Medicare and Medicaid.

Full and Equal Representation for Americans with Disabilities in the Democratic Platform

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:28:53 EDT

As we get ready for Senator Obama to accept the Democratic nomination in Denver, he continues to demonstrate that he will change the lives of all Americans with disabilities. Just a few weeks ago, I told you about our community’s inclusion into the platform process when Carmen Jones represented Americans with disabilities at the public platform hearings. Those efforts have paid off.

The Democratic party has released its platform, and Americans with disabilities are fully represented. We are on the verge of history, and Senator Obama is going to include Americans with disabilities every step of the way on this history-making journey.

Issues facing our community are discussed throughout the platform including in the sections discussing education, civil rights, reaffirming Senator Obama’s support of the Community Choice Act and independent living, voting, and more.

The portions of the platform discussing Americans with disabilities state:

“We support full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.”

* * *

“Empowerment and Support of Older Americans and People with Disabilities. Seniors and people with disabilities should have access to quality affordable long-term care services, and those services should be readily available at home and in the community. Americans should not be forced to choose between getting care and living independent and productive lives.”

* * *

“We believe in the essential American ideal that we are not constrained by the circumstances of birth but can make of our lives what we will. Unfortunately, for too many, that ideal is not a reality. We have more work to do. Democrats will fight to end discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and disability in every corner of our country, because that’s the America we believe in.”

* * *

“We are committed to ensuring full equality for women: we reaffirm our support for the Equal Rights Amendment, recommit to enforcing Title IX, and will urge passage of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. We will pursue a unified foreign and domestic policy that promotes civil rights and human rights, for women and minorities, at home and abroad. We will pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. We will restore and support the White House Initiative on Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, including enforcement on disaggregation of Census data. We will make the Census more culturally sensitive, including outreach, language assistance, and increased confidentiality protections to ensure accurate counting of the growing Latino and Asian American, and Pacific Islander populations, and continue working on efforts to be more inclusive. We will sign the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and restore the original intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act. That is the America we believe in.”

“Voting Rights
Voting rights are fundamental rights because they are protective of all other rights. We will work to fully protect and enforce the fundamental Constitutional right of every American vote—to ensure that the Constitution’s promise is fully realized. We will fully fund the Help America Vote Act and work to fulfill the promise of election reform, including fighting to end long lines at voting booths and ensuring that all registration materials, voting materials, polling places, and voting machines are truly accessible to seniors, Americans with disabilities, and citizens with limited English proficiency. We will call for a national standard for voting that includes voter-verified paper ballots. We will ensure that absentee ballots are accessible and accurately counted. We will vigorously enforce our voting rights laws instead of making them tools of partisan political agendas; we oppose laws that require identification in order to vote or register to vote, which create discriminatory barriers to the right to vote and disenfranchise many eligible voters; and we oppose tactics which purge eligible voters from voter rolls. We are committed to passing the Count Every Vote Act. Finally, we will enact legislation that establishes harsh penalties for those who engage in voter intimidation and creates a process for providing accurate information to misinformed voters so they can cast their votes in time.”

Not only are our issues integrated throughout the platform, but Americans with disabilities are represented as a group of valued voters.

“Americans with Disabilities
We will once again reclaim our role as world leaders in protecting the rights of people with disabilities. We will lead the United States in ratifying the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first human rights treaty approved in the United Nations in the 21st century. We will ensure there is sufficient funding to empower Americans with disabilities to succeed in school and beyond. We will fully fund and increase staffing for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. We will restore dignity for Americans with disabilities by signing the Community Choice Act into law, which will allow them the choice of living in their communities rather than being warehoused in nursing homes or other institutions.”

Why I am Working to Elect Senator Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:26:24 EDT

Below is a statement from Dan of Cambridge, Massachusetts on why he is working to elect Barack Obama:

I deeply believe in Senator Obama. He is inspiring the best in us, making this country and this world a healthier and more peaceful place. He has genuinely inspired me, my wife, my children, my nephew, friends, and millions of others to create a world community of mutual respect and dignity. His message of hope is the ground from which springs the fruits of hard-working, committed, responsible citizens. His message of “change you can believe in” resonates with my work to transform the mental health system from the deadening institutionalization of forgotten lives to recovery of lives of full participation in the community. Senator Obama’s campaign is a living example of creating the type of sharing, responsible community needed to carry out the mandate of the Olmstead Decision by the Supreme Court (1999). The Olmstead Decision stated that unnecessary institutionalization of persons with disabilities constituted undue discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Olmstead Decision was the basis of the Bush Administration’s New Freedom Commission whose 2003 Report opened with, “We envision a future when everyone with mental illness will recover…” I know how important those words are. I was a member of that commission and helped fashion that vision. I know that the vision of the Commission and its recommendations to transform the system to one that is, “consumer and family driven” have inspired mental health consumers and families across the country and around the world to become involved in their lives and in the life of their community as never before. The Bush administration, however, immediately distanced itself from the Commission Report. There was never an official public signing of the Report. Funding was never provided by the administration for the consumer and family involvement called for in the Report. Nor has there been any evidence that Senator McCain supports the Commission Report.
I also know from my own lived experience of recovery from mental illness, from my 30 years of experience as a community psychiatrist and an advocate, and from research in the neurochemistry laboratory at NIMH and in the field that the central ingredients of recovery from mental illness (and indeed any illness) are having hope, having a voice in your life, having passionate purpose, and having someone who believes in you. I believe Senator Obama believes in me and in everyone recovering from mental illness. That is why I am working to get him elected.
Reference:
Olmstead v. L.C., 527 US 581, US Supreme Court, 1999.
Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990.
“Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America,” The President’s New Freedom Commission Report on Mental Health. DHHS, Rockville, MD, 2003.

Why I Support Barack Obama for President

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:20:24 EDT

Below is a statement from Doug of Columbus, Ohio on why he will vote for Senator Obama.

Why I Support Barack Obama for President
by Doug of Columbus, Ohio
I express the following views as an individual attorney who has represented thousands of individuals with disabilities and their relatives in a variety of litigation and investigations over more than 35 years, including the right to counsel in civil commitment cases, protection from abuse, the right of individuals with disabilities to live in community settings and the right to be free from discrimination. My view is that individuals who want to empower Americans with disabilities should vote for Barack Obama for President.
Senator Obama is a co-sponsor of and strongly supports the Community Choice Act , legislation that would help eliminate the institutional bias in Medicaid so that more individuals with disabilities could live in their homes rather than have to move to nursing homes or other institutions. In contrast, I recently heard Senator McCain say he opposes the Community Choice Act, because he says it would cost too much money. However, I believe that living at home with supports under the Community Choice Act would be less expensive than living in a nursing home.   Senator Obama supports and has voted for full funding of the federal portion of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the act that promises children with disabilities will receive an appropriate education, whereas Senator McCain in the past voted against full funding of IDEA.   Also, Obama has voted for: (1) extending the State Children’s Health Insurance Program; (2) improving health insurance benefits for veterans; and (3) providing relief for victims of Katrina, including individuals with disabilities. Senator Obama supports universal health care coverage. I believe that in many ways, including the above simply as examples, Senator Obama has supported government actions to empower individuals with disabilities and his opponent has opposed many such measures of great importance to the future of individuals with disabilities.
McCain’s opposition to important disability legislation is only part of the story.   I believe that a McCain administration would also result in harm to individuals with disabilities as the result of appointments of judges and justices and the individuals his administration would bring into government to administer the laws. For instance, the ability of people with disabilities to live in the community, instead of in nursing homes or larger institutions, is directly affected by implementation of the Supreme Court’s 1999 Olmstead decision. That 6-3 decision, with then Chief Justice Rehnquist in dissent, mandated that people with disabilities receive appropriate community based supports. In light of the changes in the Supreme Court since the Olmstead decision, however, it is my view that the Olmstead decision could be in danger if McCain were President, after vacancies arise in the Supreme Court.
Senator Obama has said he will appoint judges and justices who respect Congress’s role as a co-equal, democratically elected branch of government and who exhibit empathy with what it means to be an American with a disability. Senator Obama also has said that the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the ADA has shown disrespect for Congress’s intent and frustrated the law’s goals of fully integrating people with disabilities in this society. In contrast, at the National Disability Forum in Columbus, Ohio, I heard Senator McCain say it was not the fault of the Supreme Court Justices for their interpretation of the scope of the ADA, but the fault of the legislators who drafted the ADA.
Senator McCain, moreover, has pledged to appoint strict constructionist judges and look for people in the cast of John Roberts, Samuel Alito and William Rehnquist. In my view, based on my personal experience as a lawyer for over 35 years, looking for persons to be judges who classify themselves as strict constructionists will result in the appointment of judges who limit the scope of statutes protecting individuals with disabilities, whether that be the Community Choice Act, the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act or other legislation designed to help individuals with disabilities.
Finally, having a sympathetic executive branch of government with the resources to implement the laws is crucial to millions of individuals with disabilities. Senator Obama has pledged to meet the mandate of the Executive Order that President Clinton signed of hiring 100,000 workers with disabilities to improve the administration of the laws. Senator Obama supported the appropriation of an additional $150 million for the Social Security Administration to decrease the backlog of claims. In contrast, Senator McCain has called for a freeze in discretionary non-military spending.
Barack Obama will invest $10 billion per year in early intervention educational and developmental programs for children between zero and five. His plan will help expand Early Head Start to serve more children with disabilities, and will spur states -- through programs like Early Learning Challenge Grants -- to expand programs for children with disabilities, such as IDEA Part C, and integrate these programs with other early childhood programs.   In contrast, Senator McCain has called for a freeze in discretionary non-military spending.   I believe the children of this great country, both children with disabilities and children without disabilities, deserve more than a freeze in non-military discretionary spending.
Whether considering legislation, judges or the executive branch of government, I believe the choice of individuals interested in strong policies to empower Americans with disabilities is clear. We should vote for Senator Obama for President.

Letter from National Council on Independent Living re Candidate Positions on CCA

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:15:34 EDT

National Council on Independent Living
1710 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20036

Dear Fellow Advocates:

As many of you know, I announced at the NCIL annual conference that Senator McCain was changing his position on the Community Choice Act (CCA) and that he would be making a formal announcement of his support for the CCA at the Disabilities Issues Forum in Ohio. This information had been given to me by a staff person within the McCain campaign with direct responsibility for disability policy issues. Therefore, I felt confident in making this announcement to the NCIL membership during our time together at the conference.

However, as we all now know on July 26, the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, at the Disabilities Issues Forum in Ohio, Senator McCain once again stated that he does not support the Community Choice Act.

The National Council on Independent Living supports two pieces of legislation in regards to people with disabilities receiving services in the community. They are the Community Choices Act and the Community Living Assistance, Services and Supports (CLASS) Act. There is a strong historical linkage between NCIL and the struggle for people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities - not in institutions. We believe it is important for the NCIL Membership to know that Senator Obama is signed on as a co-sponsor of both of those pieces of legislation and Senator McCain is a co-sponsor of neither. For more information on where the candidates stand on our issues, visit the candidates’ campaign websites:

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues and http://www.barackobama.com/issues/disabilities.

The Community Choice Act would give people with disabilities the right to live with dignity in homes of our choosing, rather than to be forced into nursing homes or other institutions. Senator McCain said that he opposes the Community Choice Act because of cost, placing the value of money over the value of people with disabilities’ dignity and choice. Also, evidence-based research by Dr. Mitch LaPlante from the University of California San Francisco, who is recognized as one of the foremost disability researchers in the country, proves that the Community Choices Act is affordable.

We must end the institutional bias now. We have to stop locking people away from home, friends, and family just because they have a disability. Ending this bias will make a better and richer society because history has shown that ending bias and segregation against people, any and all people, is good for us all.

We encourage you to continue and ramp up your advocacy efforts and to exercise your right to vote. In the words of Justin Dart – “Vote as if your life depends on it, because it does.”

Sincerely,

Kelly Buckland
President

Why a Mom and Dad Support Barack Obama

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:05:06 EDT

Here is a post from a mother and father who have children with a disability.

Why a Mom and Dad Support Barack Obama
by Clay & Carole Boatright
As parents, we believe that electing Barack Obama president will provide opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
A funny thing happened on the way to life. When we took our identical twin daughters to the pediatrician for a well-baby visit, we were asked to review a checklist of developmental milestones. After a few moments we realized something which would change our lives forever…we weren’t checking anything off the list. Subsequent doctor visits revealed that both our girls have severe autism and intellectual disabilities.
After years of academic research, we were finally lead to the one book which offered clarity and understanding about our children. The Holy Bible taught us three things:
Jesus is Lord
God designed all of us with uniquely assigned capabilities
Our responsibility to God involves us being responsible for each other
This understanding became the center of our lives, and as political Independents, we decided to support candidates who share this same understanding. Senator Barack Obama is one of those candidates.
Many politicians seem to believe that supporting people with disabilities is a “liberal” agenda. However, when we take time to ask people with disabilities what they want from government, the opposite is often revealed.
Like all Americans, people with disabilities want a good education which enhances their skills. By removing the barriers of workplace discrimination, a good education leads to gainful employment. When given the opportunity, most people want to live in the community of their choice, not institutionalized government housing. By having these desires met, people with and without disabilities are able to live independent of government support… which some may say is a traditionally “conservative” objective.
Senator Obama understands the social and financial benefits of creating opportunities. He has pledged to enforce and fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), thus improving education for millions of Americans. By supporting the ADA Restoration Act, Senator Obama wants to remove the workplace discrimination which prevents people from holding jobs, thus reducing their dependence on entitlement programs. His endorsement of the Community Choice Act demonstrates his respect for people to make their own living decisions with quality options, and the tax money saved when people move out of government institutions.
Our children are young, and their ultimate development is still unknown. We believe electing Senator Barack Obama as our next president will ultimately create opportunities for them, and all Americans with disabilities, which maximize their God-given potential.

Obama Calls for Treatment for Americans with Disabilities Who Have Brain Injuries

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:51:38 EDT

United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
August 4, 2008
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
Secretary, U.S. Department of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000
Dear Secretary Gates:
A recent study conducted by the RAND Corporation found that 320,000 troops, or 19 percent of all service members, returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom may have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during deployment.
We are concerned that at a time when TBI is recognized as the signature wound of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, one of the most widely accepted and critical rehabilitative treatments for this injury, known as cognitive rehabilitation therapy, is excluded by the military’s TRICARE health insurance program.
Cognitive rehabilitation is a proven regime of medical and therapeutic services designed to improve brain functioning. Service members who sustain brain injuries frequently have difficulties in attention, concentration, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making that impede their ability to function in everyday activities. Timely treatment of cognitive dysfunction is vital to the recovery process, as it impacts personal safety, functional independence, productive living, psychological health and social interaction. Therefore, we urge you to provide official TRICARE coverage for cognitive rehabilitation as an instrumental therapy in the recovery process of America’s wounded warriors.
While the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration have made recent strides to improve our institutional capacity to treat TBI at military and VA hospitals, often the best care for this complex injury is available only from private providers at outside care facilities. Given the rate of TBI among returning service personnel, we must redouble efforts to remove access barriers to proven therapies. The Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health last year issued a recommendation that TRICARE access standards be changed to consider basic mental health care in the same category as primary medical care. Embracing this recommendation is central to any successful, time-sensitive strategy to treat the invisible wounds of war. This is particularly true for our most gravely wounded combat veterans. According to figures provided by your office, 19,922 service members were medically retired with serious injuries in 2007 alone. We believe these soldiers should be able to access cognitive rehabilitation services at outside care facilities.
We understand that TRICARE authorities have cited a lack of evidence attesting to the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation as a justification for not covering this treatment. This assessment contradicts the clear clinical consensus of the American medical community, which recognizes the instrumental role that these therapies play in minimizing disability and maximizing recovery of function in patients with a TBI. Access to cognitive rehabilitation is a basic element of the continuum of care for brain injury patients. The National Institutes of Health, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, the Brain Injury Association of America, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association validate cognitive rehabilitation as a proven, not an experimental, treatment for TBI. Numerous public and private insurers currently provide coverage for cognitive rehabilitation in recognition of its proven therapeutic value in treating severe brain injuries. As of 2006, fourteen states included cognitive rehabilitation under the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers.
Individuals who have incurred a traumatic brain injury while serving their country deserve nothing less than the appropriate level of care based on currently accepted and widely utilized treatment modalities. As in every area of modern medicine, the research and evidence base for treatment of brain injuries continues to evolve. Service members with a TBI need appropriate and timely treatment options to address cognitive impairments, and best practices must be based on the available body of knowledge at the current time. While further research in this area is ongoing and appropriate, our military healthcare system should err on the side of providing proven treatment given the serious lifelong consequences of an untreated or under-treated brain injury.
The national media have reported many anecdotal cases of individuals who attest to the vital role that cognitive rehabilitation plays in facilitating meaningful recovery from brain injury. One such example is ABC News journalist Bob Woodruff, who was injured by a roadside bomb in January 2006 while reporting from Iraq. His remarkable recovery from a severe TBI has been widely cited as a powerful example of the great innovations of our military healthcare system. Mr. Woodruff has repeatedly emphasized that his cognitive rehabilitation therapy was a vital part of his healing process. Yet the treatment made available to Mr. Woodruff may be denied to U.S. military personnel who are similarly afflicted.
Congress recently enacted a historic GI bill to honor our responsibility to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who return home seeking an education and a better future for their families. We have no less of a responsibility to maximize the potential of our wounded warriors returning from battle nursing the wounds of war. Given the prevalence of TBI among returning service personnel, it is difficult to comprehend why the military’s managed healthcare plan does not cover the very therapies that give our soldiers the best opportunities to recover and live full and productive lives. We are committed to appropriating the necessary funding to ensure that injured service members receive the world-class healthcare they deserve.
Therefore, we urge the Department of Defense to provide official TRICARE coverage of cognitive rehabilitation therapies, so that all returning service personnel can benefit from the best brain injury care this country has to offer.
Thank you for your continued service.
Sincerely,
Evan Bayh, United States Senator
Barack Obama, United States Senator
Hillary Rodham Clinton, United States Senator
Ken Salazar, United States Senator
Edward M. Kennedy, United States Senator
Joe Lieberman, United States Senator
Jeff Bingaman, United States Senator
John F. Kerry, United States Senator
Blanche L. Lincoln, United States Senator
Claire McCaskill, United States Senator
Cc: Brigadier General Loree Sutton, Major General Elder Granger

Americans with Disabilities Participate in Platform Hearings

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:15:35 EDT

Senator Obama’s philosophy that all Americans, including Americans with disabilities, should be fully integrated and included in this governing process continues to shine through in tangible examples. One of the major comments that I have heard from the disability community is that we are not included. Well, as I have maintained, Senator Obama is the candidate that will change the landscape of this country for Americans with disabilities.

Just last week, we have yet another example of Senator Obama’s commitment to our community. As many of you know, the public democratic platform hearings were held in Cleveland, Ohio on August 1. Approximately 35-40 groups were represented at the hearings. These individuals testified about their communities.

Americans with disabilities were represented at these hearings.

I was proud that Carmen Jones, an American with a disability who uses a wheelchair, testified at the platform hearings. Carmen is an African-American female who owns her own diversity training company, in which she works with corporations on diversity training. She also has a child who is an American with multiple disabilities.

Carmen did a wonderful job at the hearings representing Americans with disabilities. She is extremely passionate about equality of opportunity for our entire community, and she forcefully delivered that message in her written and oral testimony.

Let this stand as one more example that the voices of Americans with disabilities are being heard by the Obama for America campaign. This campaign will continue to strongly represent inclusion for all persons, and Americans with disabilities will not be left out.

Below, I have posted Carmen’s reflections on her testimony as well as her written testimony that she submitted to the committee.

Testimony for the Democratic National Committee’s Platform Drafting Committee
August 1, 2008
When Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director for Obama for America, asked me to represent people with disabilities at the DNC’s platform hearing meeting, I was honored by his request. I also felt a sense of duty. Like millions, I’ve been frustrated, annoyed and disappointed at the Bush Administration’s inaction on many issues – including disability issues.   He told me that I’d be going to Cleveland, Ohio for a 5-minute presentation.
Recognizing that there are many issues confronting the community, the one I was compelled to focus on – that I felt the committee needed to know about – was employment. I realize that having a job is the great equalizer for many of people to gain full integration. I wanted to impress upon the committee the barriers people with disabilities still face, some 18 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The hearing was co-chaired by Governors Janet Napolitano (AZ); and Deval Patrick (MA). There were several other officials - from city, state and national politics, advisors and DNC staff - all serving on the committee. Not knowing what to expect, I watched the testimonies before mine. Different public policy issues were introduced (economy, healthcare, foreign affairs, civil rights, etc.) and 3-5 individual speakers would share a written statement with the committee. After the presentation, the Co-Chair would ask if there were questions from the committee, and in many cases there were not. Then the presenter was thanked and the next speaker introduced.
I applaud the DNCs commitment to providing a voice for constituents to share their views, concerns and recommendations for Senator Obama to shape his platform. My statement to the platform committee is below.
TALKING POINTS FOR DISABILITY PLATFORM
My name is Carmen Jones, and I am from Arlington, Virginia. I’ve been an American with a disability for 22 years as a result of an automobile accident that caused me to have a spinal cord injury; and am the mother of a 7 year-old son, Marcus, who has multiple disabilities. For 10 years, I’ve been the president of the Solutions Marketing Group, a marketing consulting firm dedicated to developing strategies for companies to serve, market and employ the nation’s 54 Million people with disabilities.
I believe that we have a chance with a Barack Obama Presidency to change the fact that at this moment in history I represent the most untapped, overlooked segment in our country – people with disabilities and their families (20M). This group is comprised of people who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind/Low Vision, Mobility Impaired, who have chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and chronic fatigue, mental health disabilities, intellectual disabilities, etc.
My work with employers and some federal agencies has allowed me to see the gaping chasm of inequities that exist for people with all disabilities. It is critical that the Obama Campaign, the DNC and eventually the Obama Presidency integrate disability issues into all policy discussions such as education, transition from education, employment, housing, community living, health care/prevention of secondary conditions, access to technology, access to rehabilitation and emergency preparedness.   With full integration, Americans with disabilities will no longer be an overlooked segment of society. However, as I only have five minutes to talk with you, the issue I’d most like to prioritize is employment.
I was a college student when I became disabled and had to ready myself for the workforce.   In spite of my grades, extra-curricular activities, and achievements, I received no job offers after 30 initial interviews and 2 second interviews.   I know my story is like millions of other people with disabilities who desperately wish to work and are qualified to do so. I have come to find out that employers are missing the opportunity to target 800,000 college students with disabilities, who by 2010 will make up a group of 1.2 million.
I’ve also come to learn that in 2006, working-age Americans with disabilities were almost three times more likely to live below the poverty line than those without disabilities. While the average annual household income of individuals in the United States without disabilities was $65,400 in 2006, the average annual household income for people with disabilities was $36,300. And the employment rate for persons with disabilities in 2006 was at least 40 points lower than the employment rate of working-age individuals without disabilities. Additionally, there are 22 million working age Americans with disabilities who have come of age since the ADA’s passage, which helps prevent job discrimination against qualified disabled individuals. But only 38% of the nation’s working-age disabled have a job, compared to 78% of non-disabled people. These are dismal and unacceptable statistics. We have a national crisis that hasn’t gotten the attention it requires and deserves. I am confident that if these figures were shared about any other segment of our population, we’d consider ourselves contributing to a moral failure.
Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a host of governmentally-supported programs to remove barriers for people with disabilities in the area of employment, people with disabilities are significantly under-represented in the workplace.    Employment is the great equalizer, which will level the field for many in our community to support themselves, make purchases, enjoy social integration, independence and for many to become tax paying members of society and leave the Social Security rolls.
Dr. John Maxwell, author and leadership expert has said that “everything rises and falls on leadership.” With the full support from Senator Obama’s leadership, I believe we could see the employment numbers of people with disabilities increase. By fully funding and enforcing IDEA, further funding vocational rehabilitation and setting measureable outcomes for the federal government to hire employees with disabilities, the private sector will begin to take notice and become engaged. It is incumbent upon government to create simplified and innovative public-private partnerships around employment that are void of federal-speak that will capture the interest of employers. As we struggle with how to pay for the costs of an aging population, one sure opportunity is to give Americans with disabilities every opportunity to join the rest of our communities as taxpayers. As a parent of a child with a significant disability, I want his education to adequately prepare him for life, and I want him to have an equal opportunity for achieving his piece of the American dream!

Obama Co-Sponsors Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:42:03 EDT

Senator Obama once again demonstrated his commitment to Americans with disabilities by being an original co-sponsor of the Senate version of the ADA Amendments Act, S. 3406. Senator Obama applauded the efforts of the House when it passed the House version of the ADA Amendments Act. At that time, he pledged that he would work with Senator Harkin who is the leader on this legislation and Senator Obama’s closest advisor on issues impacting Americans with disabilities. Now, he has delivered on that long-standing promise to support the Senate version of this Act by being an original co-sponsor.

Today, Senator Obama’s Senate office released the below statement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Friday, August 1, 2008
Michael Ortiz, 202 228 5566
Obama Cosponsors Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama joined Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) to cosponsor the Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act:
“With nearly 54 million Americans living with disabilities today, we have a responsibility to ensure they have better access, more opportunities, and increased independence.”
“Enacting the Americans with Disabilities Act was a historic milestone when it was signed into law eighteen years ago, but we still have more to do. We must reaffirm our nation’s commitment to those with disabilities by immediately passing legislation to reverse judicial decisions that permit discrimination against persons with disabilities.”
“I am proud to support this legislation, and I commend Senators Harkin and Hatch for their leadership on behalf of Americans with disabilities.”

Why I Support Barack Obama, by Henry in Arlington, Virginia

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:29:07 EDT

Electing Obama Will Make a Difference

As a former Medicare and Medicaid beneficiary that relies on personal assistance services, I’d like to tell you why I support Barack Obama for President. For many years, people with disabilities across the country have worked to improve the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Under the leadership of Barack Obama, people with Medicare and/or Medicaid will enjoy greater access to the community living services that make it possible for many people with significant disabilities to lead meaningful lives. As a co-sponsor of the Community Choice Act, Senator Obama’s commitment to ending the institutional bias in Medicaid is clear and strong. Getting Congress to change the Medicaid program is critical for those who depend on personal assistance services and supports, and I believe an Obama administration will stay focused on making this happen.

Another important commitment of the Obama campaign is to make home health services under the Medicare program available in a way that does not result in Americans with disabilities being trapped in their homes just to receive these services. Changing the Medicare’s homebound requirement has been the subject of numerous advocacy campaigns mounted by people with disabilities. Requiring people to remain in their homes to receive these critical, often life-sustaining, services is cruel and Obama will take action to modify how the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS is the federal agency that operates these programs) interprets the homebound concept. While the Medicare program does not make home and community-based services and personal assistance services available in the same way that Medicaid does, it can be improved and Obama is committed to doing so.

A vote for Barack Obama is a vote for increased independence for the millions of Americans that need personal assistance services. By electing Obama as President, Americans will make a statement regarding how they want their government to administer these vital public programs. Medicare and Medicaid must continue to be improved and under Barack’s leadership, Americans will see real progress in making community living services available to those that need them.

As one that has worked for the agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid, I know that Obama’s commitment to the needs of people with disabilities will make a difference in how these programs operate. Please join me and vote for Barack Obama because only with his leadership can we continue to make the needed improvements to Medicare and Medicaid.

Great Celebration of the 18th Anniversary of the ADA

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:33:56 EDT

The 18th anniversary of the ADA was a huge success, and the Obama for America campaign was proud to be front and center for the celebration.

The anniversary commenced with the National Council on Independent Living’s annual conference in Washington D.C., which I attended. I had a chance to speak at their rally following the march to the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon. It was a pleasure to share the stage with such legendary figures in the disability community as Senator Tom Harkin. Senator Dick Durbin also spoke at the rally along with a host of others in support of independent living.

The celebration continued throughout the week. On Thursday, NCIL held its annual dinner at the conference, preceded by a sponsors' reception. I was honored to again be given the chance to deliver the message that Senator Obama supports the Community Choice Act, unlike Senator McCain.

After the NCIL conference wrapped up, the Democratic National Committee hosted a conference call, at which Marca Bristo, an outstanding and well-respected advocate in the disability community, along with Bob Kafka of ADAPT, a long time organizer on behalf of Americans with disabilities, addressed media concerning the Community Choice Act, Senator McCain and Senator Obama. The transcript and the link to the audio of that conference call are below.

More to come soon on the forum in Columbus.

Transcript of Press Conference Call on July 25, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Central time
[For audio, click here.]
Blaine Rummel: Good afternoon everyone, and thanks for joining us. My name is Blaine Rummel, with the Democratic National Committee and I’ll be moderating this call. This afternoon we’re discussing Senator McCain’s position on the Community Choice Act. One day before his appearance tomorrow at the National Forum on Disability Issues in Columbus, Ohio via satellite. The Democratic Party has a long track record of tangible support and open communication with the disability rights community. And we’re proud to have a full-time disability rights leader advising us on these important issues. With us today is Marca Bristo, former chair of the National Council of Disability. And also joining us is Bob Kafka, national organizer for ADAPT. Now I’ll turn it over to Miss Bristo.
Marca Bristo: Good afternoon. My name is Marca Bristo, and I am the former chair of the National Council of Disability. I am also a woman with a disability, and I speak to you today as a citizen concerned with the future of our country. Tomorrow is the 18th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, and the disability community will gather in Columbus, Ohio for the National Forum on Disability Issues. Senator John McCain is expected to address those gathered by satellite and to listen to our community on a wide range of issues. While Americans with disabilities welcome the opportunity to hear Senator McCain, sadly, he has refused to listen to us on one of the most critical issues to our community – the right to live with dignity in homes of our choosing, rather than to be forced into nursing homes or other institutions. The Community Choice Act legislation currently before Congress would do just that. It would allow disabled people on Medicaid the mandatory right to chose to live in the community with in-home services, rather than be forced into costly nursing homes and institutions deprived of their liberty and dignity. Senator McCain has opposed this legislation over many years. Just a few weeks ago, at a town hall meeting, a woman with a disability asked Senator McCain to support the bill, and his response was “I will not, because I don’t think it’s the right kind of legislation. The Community Choice Act is not a piece of legislation I support.” You can view it yourself on YouTube. By contrast, when Senator Barack Obama was approached by the disability community to support the bill, he reviewed the legislation and signed on, because he knew it was right for people with disabilities. He knew it’s right for America. He didn’t need to be dragged kicking and screaming to our position. He did so because he understood it was a matter of simple justice and of common sense. But now in the final days of a presidential election, and on the eve of his address at the National Forum, there is talk he may change his position. We say, what took him so long? He has had numerous opportunities before now, as the bill in one form or another has been before Congress over the past eight years. We can wait no more. We deserve better. We need a president who will listen to our issues, and make decisions based on their merit. To do things that are the right thing to do, because he believes, as we do, that inequality anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Senator Obama did not waver or come to this decision at the last minute. He was with us on this issue from the beginning. Don’t get me wrong. I am glad that Senator McCain may be following Senator Obama’s lead on the Community Choice Act, and we strongly urge him to do so. But there are so many other issues facing our country and our community. We have waited for too long over the last eight years for the administration to act on our concerns. And while we have been waiting, our men and women, veterans, returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with disabilities from a war we did not need and the American people do not want. They returned to an economy that is in serious decline, their homes in foreclosure, to an under-funded and inequitable health care system, to schools that do not have the resources to allow their children to learn and to compete in the global workforce of tomorrow. They returned to face discrimination in a Supreme Court that is more likely to sanction it than not, thanks to the appointments made by President George Bush. These are issues that affect all of us: disabled, non-disabled, men, women, young, old, black, white, Latino, immigrants alike. In these things, we are one America. Disabled people care about the same things that all Americans do: health care, jobs, social security, the economy, the war in Iraq, our nation’s security, and civil rights. And women’s rights. We cannot afford eight more years of the status quo, of failed policies. But we do not need to. There is a choice, and that choice – Barack Obama – will give us the choice to live in our homes, not nursing homes, and help us to liberate the hundreds of thousands who are institutionalized in them right now. Thank you.
Rummel: Thank you Marca. Now we’ll turn the call over to Bob Kafka, national organizer for ADAPT.
Bob Kafka: Yeah thanks Blaine. My name’s Bob Kafka, I’m also a person with a disability, I’m a national organizer for ADAPT, one of the largest grassroots disability organizations in the country. I am also a veteran of the Vietnam War, and have, you know, been involved in issues about access, both for public accommodations, but also in our long-term care system. Reform of the Medicaid long-term care system has been ADAPT’s highest priority. Apparently, the long-term care system takes up about 1/3 of all Medicaid spending in the country, and it is basically the same program that was passed back in 1965 that still forces people into nursing homes and other institutions. The bill that Marca talked about, the Community Choice Act, Senate Bill 779, would reform this institutional bias. It’s really a very simple bill. If you are eligible for a nursing home or other institution, you would be given the opportunity to choose community attendant services and support. That’s the basic bill. It would put it on a level playing field, real choice, it has family values, and it is something that almost every national disabilities group in the country has supported, and many of the aging advocacy groups are also in support of this legislation. Senator McCain and the Republican National Committee has been repeatedly asked to support and cosponsor Senate Bill 779. We met with the Republican National Committee head, and they just refused to support the Community Choice Act. Compare this, we met with Howard Dean, and the Democratic National Committee has come out in support of that. We have asked Senator Obama to support S779, he is a cosponsor. We have asked Senator McCain, he has adamantly refused. Dawn Russell, the person in Denver that asked him the question, would you support just the legislation, the Community Choice Act, just not more than two weeks ago, and Marca’s quote about, it was the wrong legislation was uttered directly to Dawn Russel by Senator McCain. In addition, over 20 members of our organization were arrested in Senator McCain’s office, basically asking for a meeting to discuss his support of the Community Choice Act. So instead of getting a meeting, Senator McCain’s answer to us, was, you know, go to jail. At the same time, we had people over at the Republican National Committee, also trying to get support for this very same issue. This is a very passionate, this is one of the most important issues to the aging and disability community. Senator McCain has repeatedly told people no. On the other hand, Senator Obama and the Democratic National Committee has been supportive. His healthcare reform will include reform of the long-term care system, and this shows a commitment to people with disabilities and older Americans that they would have a real choice. I just want to make it very clear, this legislation would not mandatorily shut down any institutions. It gives individuals with disabilities and their families a choice to use the dollars where they see they want. One of the reasons why we think people are so opposed to it is they believe people will choose the community, and this would then hurt the institutional services. We cannot help but come to the belief that Senator McCain is defending the nursing home and other institutions in this country by his position. As of this call today, though the rumor is that he will come out tomorrow and support the legislation, but he has not put his name down as a co-sponsor. We have no indication from his staff that he has done that, I mean that it has been submitted on the floor of Congress, so that it would show that he really supports S779. You know it is sort of very curious that he’s waiting for this forum to say he’s going to do it, but in point of fact it’s not a reality. Again, if he does it, you know, we are glad to have another senator on the bill, however, you know, people with disabilities are becoming a very major force in this election. Disabled people vote in very large numbers. Again, though there are no real statistics, we believe that the disability vote could be instrumental in many of the states, and we hope that Senator McCain will understand that. We hope that Senator McCain, I mean Senator Obama and the Democratic National Committee definitely understand it, are working with the disability community in a cooperative sense, and I can tell you, both as a person with a disability, a disabled veteran, and as an organizer for ADAPT, that is appreciated by our whole community. To feel that people with disabilities are part of the community and taking part in one of the most important things that you can do as a citizen of this country, and that is vote. And Senator Obama and his campaign have outreach to us. On the other hand, Senator McCain not only has ignored us, both in terms meetings. Even on the surveys ADAPT and five other national disability organizations sent to all the presidential candidates quite awhile ago, he did not even have the good grace to respond to any of the questions, it wasn’t just about the Community Choice Act, it was about Americans with Disabilities Act and other issues of importance to people with disabilities. So the message that we are getting as disabled people who vote is that the Republican Party and Senator McCain just ignore our issues, and we will take that into account when we go to the ballot box. Thank you very much.
Rummel: Thank you Bob. Operator will now open it up for questions.
Operator: Ok, starting at this time I would like to remind everyone that in order to ask a question, press star, then the number 1 on your telephone keypad. Again, that’s star and then the number one. We’ll pause for just a moment to compile the Q and A roster.
Ben Adler: Hello?
Operator: Our first question comes from the line of Ben Adler with Politico.
Adler: Hi, I just wanted to ask, you know, you had said something about the disabled vote being large but not having numbers on that. I was wondering do you have numbers on the way disabled people have voted in recent elections?
Kafka: ADAPT does not have that numbers. The American Association of People with Disabilities may have that number. There has been quite a lot over the last few elections of outreach to both register and to get out the vote, though we’re not polled so it’s difficult to get statistics. One of the things that has been attempted is to try to get people with disabilities in the polling data so that we would have more accurate. We just anecdotally, you know, believe that it’s a growing number, and, you know, but there’s really not been a lot of data, and part of the problem is that we have never been seen as a vote in and of ourselves, and that we don’t actually vote on disability issues. We really believe that the over 52 million people that are defined as persons with disabilities will vote if the candidates address our issues.
Bristo: There have been polls done by the Harris Poll Organization, and I would direct you to both the National Organization on Disability and the American Association of People with Disabilities. The trend data there is somewhat troubling. Back in the election with Dukakis and Bush, there was some polling done that indicated that each time that President Bush mentioned equality of opportunity for disabilities, the people who were polled who were traditionally leaning in the Democratic direction swung in the Republican direction just at the mention of those words. More recently as I understand it, the trending data is shifting a little bit more in the other direction, and I think that’s a message to everybody that this is a community that pays careful attention to the issues that directly affect our lives, and those candidates that address those issues are likely, more likely, to attract our vote.
Adler: I’m just, if I could just get a follow-up, I just, are you guys saying there’s no data on whether people with disabilities voted more for John Kerry or for George Bush in 2004, say?
Bristo: I’m not particularly informed on that. I think it would be good for you to reach out to AAPD or NOPD, but I think it also underscores what Bob was saying earlier. The polling that is done has been done external to the races to our knowledge. It would be interesting for us as well to know whether the parties and the candidates themselves are doing specific polling on that. We think they should be.
Rummel: Operator, can we have the next question please?
Operator: There are no questions at this time, Sir.
Rummel: Alright everyone, well thank you for participating in the call today. We greatly appreciate it, have a great day.
Bristo: Thank you.
Operator: This concludes today’s conference call. You may now disconnect.

Obama Campaign Hires New Disability Vote Director

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:14:21 EDT

Campaign Continues to Strengthen Constituency Vote Operation

Chicago, IL - Kareem Dale, founder and chief executive officer of The Dale Law Group (DLG) in Chicago, has been appointed as the Obama campaign's Disability Vote Director, effective July 14, 2008. Dale, partially blind, will help broaden the campaign's reach and involve even more voices in this coalition for change.

In his role as Disability Vote Director, Dale will be responsible for all disability outreach efforts for the campaign, including attending national conferences, coordinating grassroots efforts, speaking at events as a surrogate for the campaign, and ensuring that campaign locations are accessible for all Americans with disabilities.

"Throughout this campaign, Barack Obama has insisted that we can change our politics and involve new voters in the process if we focus on our common hopes as Americans," Campaign Manager David Plouffe said. "Kareem Dale shares Barack Obama's fundamental commitment to building a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination, and we're excited he's a part of this campaign."

Fifty-four million Americans - roughly 1 in 6 - personally experience some form of disability. Senator Obama is committed to empowering people with disabilities so that they can fulfill the American dream and take full advantage of their talents and become independent, integrated members of society. "I look forward to encouraging all Americans with disabilities to support a candidate who is going to bring real change to
their lives," Dale said.

Prior to his appointment as Disability Vote Director, Dale also served as a volunteer on the Disability Policy and the Arts Policy Committees for the Obama For America campaign.

Dale is a native Chicagoan and received his bachelor's degree in Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign. He graduated Cum Laude with a law degree and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May, 1999.

Great News on July 26 Forum and Update on NCIL

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:20:32 EDT

As everyone knows, our anniversary is upcoming for the ADA. The campaign is in full anniversary mode. We have exciting things to report for this week and the anniversary forum in Ohio.

First, many of the complaints that the campaign has heard regarding the July 26 forum is that persons with disabilities wanted to know what Barack thinks himself about disability issues. They wanted someone close to Barack. Well, we have heard those concerns and delivered on hose requests. As you all know, Senator Tom Harkin has been a true leader in the disability community. And, Senator Harkin is Barack's closest disability policy advisor. For example, before Barack released his Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities last fall, he and Harkin discussed the policy and Harkin made edits and suggestions to the policy. Moreover, Senator Obama's staff regularly consults with Harkin's lead disability staff on key policy pronouncements from the campaign on this subject.

Additionally, we have just confirmed that Mike Strautmanis will be introducing Senator Harkin at the forum. Mike is a close personal friend of Senator Obama and Michelle. In addition, Mike has a son who is an American with a disability. Mike will provide insight into Barack's and Michelle's commitment to persons with disabilities as well as his own commitment as an individual within the campaign.

I encourage everyone to circulate this information. I look forward to meeting all of you at the forum and at the NCIL conference.

Second, I will be attending the NCIL conference this week from Tuesday through Thursday. I will be speaking at the rally on Tuesday and at the reception prior to the dinner on Thursday. I am looking forward to discussing Senator Obama's support of the CCA and the rights of all Americans with disabilities to live independently and make their own living choices.

Please view this video, where Senator McCain stated that he does not support the CCA.

I look forward to meeting everyone at the conference and spreading the word about Barack Obama and his outstanding policies for Americans with disabilities.

Funding Education for Children with Disabilities is Crucial to Providing Equal Opportunities

Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director, Obama for America — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:16:24 EDT

Hi, I am the new Disability Vote Director for the Obama for America campaign. You will be hearing more and more from me and the campaign as the days go on. I wanted to pass along parts of a statement related to education for Americans with disabilities that was released yesterday.

In a July 16th statement about education, Obama campaign spokeperson Bill Burton highlighted his educational policy related to Americans with disabilities:

“We applaud Senator McCain for addressing education in his speech today, as it is a central challenge for our long-term economic future and the future of all of our children,” said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton. “But making education the national priority will require more than campaign speeches, or recycled bromides. It will require a genuine and sustained commitment to policies that will strengthen and not undermine our public schools. Barack Obama has led the fight to reform our school system and ensure that every child has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. He knows that a good education can be the ticket to opportunity for all Americans-regardless of their circumstances. As President, he'll fix and fund No Child Left Behind, expand access to early childhood education, and make an affordable college education a reality for every student.”

The statement released on July 16th further stated “Barack Obama supports students with disabilities by being a strong and consistent advocate for fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.”

The statement also pointed out that Barack Obama’s education policy includes: Investing in Zero to Five Education; Creating Early Learning Challenge Grants; Expanding Early Head Start; and Encouraging All States to Adopt Voluntary, Universal Pre-School.

As explained in his plan to empower Americans with disabilities, Barack Obama will invest $10 billion per year in early intervention educational and developmental programs for children between zero and five. His plan will help expand Early Head Start to serve more children with disabilities, and will spur states, through programs like Early Learning Challenge Grants, to expand programs for children with disabilities, and integrate these programs with other early childhood programs.