DISABILITY ISSUES
Vol. 20 No. 1

Campaign 2000:  Who is Talking to You?

by J. Archer O'Reilly III

We know that another watershed year has arrived in America when a major party candidate for president refuses to support the most important piece of civil rights legislation signed by his own father. Lest we delude ourselves, understand that the hard-won rights and opportunities for people with disabilities symbolized and protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) are under attack.

An estimated 35 million Americans with disabilities are of voting age. That is a huge voting block and should mean that candidates must take our concerns seriously. However, it is meaningless if we are silent and unseen. As the following campaign reports will demonstrate, some candidates do not believe that we care enough about ourselves and our loved ones to take an active part in the governing of America. To protect the quality of life of people with disabilities we must participate in this election. Not only must we vote, we must be seen and heard in every city and town.

I strongly urge you to take a careful look at the candidates, at every level, not just presidential, think about what their election would mean for people with disabilities, and get involved. Speak to your friends, be seen at campaign events, volunteer, if possible, for candidates you like, use your phone or the internet to make yourself heard, and then vote.

The following are excerpts from campaign reports by Nancy Flinn, a reporter for the interesting new disability web site halftheplanet. com. They are quoted to offer a place to begin, not end, your consideration.

George W. Bush

 The quest for candidate George W. Bush's policy on Americans with Disabilities and his record on disability yields little. The fact that Americans with disabilities comprise America's largest minority at 54 million; the fact that each individual has family and friends who care about disability issues ... should influence every political candidate who cares about being elected. Apparently, not George W. Bush. Yet.

A staff member in the policy office at "Bush for President" headquarters in Austin, Texas "didn't know where the statement on Americans with disabilities or a disability issues position paper was." When asked, "Does Governor Bush have one?" she replied, "I imagine so. I'll give your request to someone who knows where it's at ... and we'll get it to you." Nothing yet. [ed. The requests of many other disability groups have, to date, had the same result.]

George W. Bush's web page, georgewbush.com, yields nothing when searched for "Americans with Disabilities"... . When queried for "Disability," six matches appear. .... There is no message or policy targeting voters with disabilities, their families and friends. Nothing yet.

In February, three of the four major presidential candidates ... had some position on disability on their web pages and as a part of their campaign. Bush had none. Two weeks before the primary in New Hampshire, the disability community and Independent Living advocates sponsored a candidates forum. Candidate Gore appeared in person, McCain and Bradley participated by phone. Bush did nothing.

According to several national leaders from the disability community, George W. Bush's record in Texas is mixed in its support and understanding (of) the rights, independence, and choice for people with disabilities championed by his father ... .

According to Curtis Edmonds, the ADA Texas Coordinator at the Texas Governor's Committee, Governor Bush has been an advocate for state legislation that supports people with disabilities. "Community-based services have increased by 72% under his leadership," said Edmonds. "He has appointed many individuals with disabilities to various boards and Greg Abbott, a wheelchair user, to the Texas Supreme Court."

When Texas disability rights advocates protested Governor Bush's continued support for the Olmstead case, they held a press conference in front of the Governor's mansion in Austin. Governor Bush had them arrested for civil disobedience. [Olmstead advocated nursing home and institutional care over community based options and was supported by only six other governors] Following the U. S. Supreme Court ruling [in favor of community care], Bush set up the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for a comprehensive review of all services. ... Some 15,000 people with disabilities, including children, are living in Texas institutions. This is approximately one-third of all Americans with disabilities still in institutions.

Justin Dart, who served as Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services and Chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities during the Bush administration, describes himself as a Republican for Vice President Al Gore. "He comes closest to my political ideal: America for All," said Dart. According to Dart, Bush is pledged to give strong consideration to the politics of the Republicans of the far right "who have opposed virtually all of our rights and empowerment initiatives." [ed. Justin Dart is widely credited with being one of the leading people responsible for bringing Ronald Reagan to the presidency and for the passage of the ADA.]

Andrew Batavia, Associate Professor at Florida International University indicates he cannot support either of the two remaining candidates. The former Bush appointee and McCain aide states that on disability issues, Governor George W. Bush gets a zero. "He won't meet with disability leaders or representatives and he has no record on disability."

Al Gore

 Searching for Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore's stand on disability reveals outreach to and consideration of the community of Americans with disabilities, their families and friends as a powerful voting block to capture in the November elections. (They) have captured the attention of Al Gore and found a place on this campaign agenda.

The Gore web site, algore2000. com, has 54 listings when queried for "disability." Americans with disabilities are targeted with an information page under the Gore agenda. Issues key to full participation of individuals with disabilities are addressed, such as the expansions of employment and educational opportunities, enforcement of civil rights laws, saving  Social Security, expanding access to quality health care, increasing accessibility, and the FDR Memorial.

The Gore 2000 site includes an interactive town hall where anyone can ask a question of Vice President Al Gore online. Archival Town Hall questions and answers are available by clicking on one of 40 subjects including Americans with Disabilities, African Americans, Native Americans, and Veterans.

Staff members at Gore 2000 headquarters in Nashville provide the web page as a reference but would answer questions, send or fax information on the candidate's stand on ... disabilities. As well, the campaign's Director of Public Liaison and Constituency, Janet Murguia, does outreach to disability organizations that want to meet with Al Gore as a group.

Gore's campaign chairman is former Congressman Tony Coelho, who has dealt with lifelong epilepsy, and served as Chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities since 1995.

The Gore record on disability includes co-sponsoring and voting for the ADA. ... In both the house and senate, his voting record supports other key legislation that expands rights and opportunities for adults and children with disabilities. Most Americans are aware of Al Gore's wife, Tipper's commitment and work on mental health issues. Her advocacy and interest sparked a national White House Conference on Mental Health in 1999.

The Clinton/Gore Administration has set a record of appointing the greatest number of individuals with disabilities to government positions of significant public responsibility ... according to disability rights leader Justin Dart.

Currently one candidate, Al Gore, is addressing issues and targeting the very important votes of Americans with disabilities, their families and friends.

Conclusion

 The above reports by Nancy Flinn are a snapshot of the 2000 campaign as this article is written. They form a context for you to think about the candidates, but they are not the final word on the race for the presidency. As the campaign continues, additional reports on the election can be read at halfthe-planet.com\news. If we keep asking, the Bush campaign may eventually decide they cannot ignore 35 million voters. When, and if, they start to answer the concerns of people with disabilities you can look for the reaction of the community on the web.

Remember our community has the right to be taken seriously and the votes to make that happen. To attract and elect the political leaders we want and need, we must make ourselves seen, heard, and counted. The final decision is yours. Don't just vote - participate!