Blog for America

Dean Releases Disability Rights Platform
A day after Governor Dean was endorsed by Lowell Weicker, the original co-sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), during an event in Iowa City, Dean marked tomorrow’s anniversary of the ADA’s enactment by announcing his disability rights platform:

"This Saturday, July 26, we celebrate the 13th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA is one of the most important civil rights laws ever passed by Congress. By requiring public buildings to be accessible and by outlawing discrimination on the basis of disability in employment and public accommodations, the ADA has provided new opportunities for more than 54 million people living with disabilities.

"Above all, the ADA has changed attitudes. It has led to new respect and dignity for individuals with disabilities. It has empowered citizens to confront discrimination and recognize their civil right to be treated fairly. This law holds out the promise that individuals with disabilities will be welcomed as full members of the American community.

"The best way to mark the anniversary of the passage of the ADA is to build upon its success by expanding the horizons of Americans with disabilities."

rivka says, "Kerry is the only other Democratic candidate with a disability platform, as far as I can tell, and it's kind of sketchy. Edwards has a statement about increasing medical research on disabilities in the section of his website about his health care views. Lieberman, Kucinich, Gephardt, Mosely-Braun, and Sharpton don't seem to have disability platforms, as far as I can tell from their websites."

i am so pleased about dean at this point. i hadn't realized that i was resigned to whoever got elected screwing over the ada some more, but now i have some hope that it might not happen.