Originally posted on Facebook on Tuesday, May 10, 2016.
Updated on August 4, 2016 with specific attention to Autism.
The election is 26 weeks from today. This week’s issue is Disability Rights. For more on my reasoning behind my weekly focus, click here.
It is estimated that 1 in 5 people in the United States have some sort of disability. In 1990, Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was signed into law by George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990 and amended and signed by George W. Bush with changes effective January 1, 2009. The intention of the law is that it protects against discrimination based on disability. It makes discrimination by employers against a qualified person with a disability against the law in hiring, advancement, training, and dismissal. Some of the major points of the law include the requirement of employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities and for public places to meet accessibility requirements.
At the time it was opposed by some religious groups and business interests. The Association of Christian Schools International fought and prevailed to keep religious organizations from being classified as “public accommodations” so that they could avoid costly structural changes that would ensure access for all. The National Association of Evangelicals testified against the employment provisions on the ground of religious liberty and called it an “improper intrusion of the federal government.” Business interests argued that it would have “a disastrous impact on many small businesses struggling to survive."
Autism Update: More than 3.5 million Americans are believed to have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including 1 in every 68 children. As a fifth grade teacher, I have worked with many wonderful children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and studied it extensively including an entire graduate level class dedicated to Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have seen first hand the effects of early identification and support versus ASD that goes unrecognized for years.
This is where the candidates stand on disability rights and Autism.
Clinton:
Disability Rights: Hillary recognizes that there is still much work to do, including improving access to meaningful and gainful employment for people with disabilities. Too many Americans with disabilities continue to be left out of the workforce, and for those who are employed, too many are in under-stimulating jobs that don't fully allow them to use their talents. Hillary is committed to realizing the promise of the ADA and continuing to expand opportunity for all Americans. She also wants to provide tax relief for families caring for aging relatives or family members with chronic illness or disabilities. As Secretary of State, she worked to build strong support for the United States to join the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In her words, “...despite a broad, bipartisan coalition, the Republican-controlled Senate blocked its passage.”
Autism: Hillary wants to expand coverage for Autism services through healthcare.gov and private insurance plans. She also wants to conduct nationwide early screening so that kids can get diagnosed and receive services early. She will significantly increase funding for autism related research and launch the first ever nation-wide study on adult autism. She wants to launch a new Autism Works Initiative to increase employment opportunities.
Trump:
Disability Rights: This is not one of the 7 issues Trump addresses on his website, so again, I am reading a lot of articles to piece together his position. I have found this quote repeatedly from Trump, "Nobody gives more money to Americans with -- you know, the Americans with Disability Act - big act. I give tens and tens of millions of dollars," Trump said. "And I'm proud of doing it." This quote was said in response to criticism that he mocked a New York Times reporter who has a disability. He claims he did not. Here is the video if you’d like to see for yourself. He has apparently been sued multiple times for inaccessible properties. That pretty much sums up what I found pertaining to Trump and disability rights.
Autism: Trump casually exchanged words with radio host, Michael Savage, about appointing him as the new director of the National Institutes of Health. While claims that this was a serious exchange are false, the association with the man is concerning. Savage has claimed that every child with autism is just “a brat that hasn’t been told to cut the act out.”
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