Author: Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi

Biden Campaign Surrogate Reaches Out to People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on August 21, 2020

Washington, D.C., August 21 – On behalf of the Biden Campaign, former Olympic figure skater and Special Olympics Board Member Michelle Kwan reached out to the 1-in-5 people who live with a physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health or other disability on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“It is more important than ever that we fulfill the promise of the ADA and build a more equal and inclusive society,” Kwan said at a national #ADA30 summit sponsored by RespectAbility, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities for people with disabilities. “That’s why [Biden] has introduced a plan for the Full Participation and Equality for People with Disabilities.” More than 10,000 people watched RespectAbility’s online summit.

Trump Campaign Surrogate Reaches Out to People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on August 21, 2020

Washington, D.C., August 21 – On behalf of the Trump Campaign, Lara Trump reached out to the 1-in-5 people who live with a physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health or other disability on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“It is my and President Trump’s belief that every American should have the utmost chance to pursue his or her American dream.” Trump said at a national #ADA30 summit sponsored by RespectAbility, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities for people with disabilities. “We look forward to working with you all going forward to ensure the American dream is accessible to everyone.” More than 10,000 people watched RespectAbility’s online summit.

Gov. Larry Hogan Reaches Out to People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on August 20, 2020

Washington, D.C., August 20 – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan reached out to the 1-in-5 people who live with a physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health or other disability on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“I truly believe our state is stronger when all of our citizens are able to contribute to their communities and reap the rewards of those contributions,” Gov. Hogan said at a national #ADA30 summit sponsored by RespectAbility, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities for people with disabilities. “Our administration remains committed to doing everything we can to make sure that adults with disabilities can obtain meaningful work, and to ensure that our schools and public places are examples of inclusion in both attitude and action.” More than 10,000 people watched RespectAbility’s online summit.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen Reaches Out to People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on August 20, 2020

Washington, D.C., August 20 – Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen reached out to the 1-in-5 people who live with a physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health or other disability on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“if you look over the last 30 years, we have made significant progress in the areas of education, in expanding services to people with disabilities, and in expanding opportunities,” Sen. Van Hollen said at a national #ADA30 summit sponsored by RespectAbility, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities for people with disabilities. “But as we take stock of the progress we’ve made, we also recognize that we’ve got a long journey still ahead to meet the promise of full equality and full inclusion.” More than 10,000 people watched RespectAbility’s online summit.

Presidential Candidates, Disability Benefits & Jobs

a diverse group of RespectAbility Fellows looking at a document on a table

Presidential Candidates, Disability Benefits & Jobs

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on February 2, 2020

Question 11 in the Questionnaire was: “The federal law and benefits system punish people who want to work or whose families want to help them. For example, currently people with disabilities who are on SSI are prohibited of having more than $2,000 liquid assets at any one time. Furthermore, current law limits parents and grandparents to helping their children financially who acquired their disability prior to age 26 but not if they acquire a disability after age 26. What will you do to ensure that people have more options than being forced to choose between access to supports, benefits and service or the opportunity to pursue work, careers and an income?”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates & Preventing Attacks on People with Disabilities

Yellow tape that says "Crime Scene Do Not Cross"

Presidential Candidates & Preventing Attacks on People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on February 2, 2020

Washington, D.C., Feb. 2 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire. Question 6 in the Questionnaire was: “People with disabilities are twice as likely to be victims of crime as those without disabilities. This includes the fact that both children and adults with disabilities are more likely to be victims of rape or sexual assault. How would you address these issues?”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates & Veterans

A disabled veteran in a wheelchair participates in the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Presidential Candidates & Veterans

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on February 1, 2020

Washington, D.C., Feb. 1 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire. Question 13 in the Questionnaire was: “What are your plans to ensure that the bureaucracy of the Veterans Administration supports and serves veterans with disabilities? What is your plan to support veterans with disabilities, especially female veterans with disabilities?”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates & Preventing Police Violence Against People with Disabilities

A Ford Police SUV from the Albuquerque Police Department

Presidential Candidates & Preventing Police Violence Against People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on February 1, 2020

Washington, D.C., Feb. 1 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire. Question 8 in the Questionnaire was: “People with disabilities also are far more likely to suffer from police violence, partially because manifestations of disability can be misunderstood. How would you address these issues?”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates & Housing for People with Disabilities

Presidential Candidates & Housing for People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on February 1, 2020

Washington, D.C., Feb. 1 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire. Question 10 in the Questionnaire was: “What are your thoughts on ensuring that people with disabilities have the option to live in their homes instead of institutions and still have the community attendant supports they need to live? Do you have a plan for affordable housing and to reduce homelessness for people with disabilities?”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates & Access to Healthcare and Jobs

A stethoscope on a table next to an iPhone

Presidential Candidates & Access to Healthcare and Jobs

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 31, 2020

Washington, D.C., Jan 31 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire. Question 9 in the Questionnaire was: “How would you ensure that people with disabilities have access to healthcare and the benefits they need while enabling them with opportunities to work to the best of their capacities without losing the supports they need to live? This relates to private healthcare as well as SSI, SSDI, Medicare and Medicaid.”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates & Including People with Disabilities in their Campaigns

Red and blue gradient background. Two people using a computer together, one of whom is a wheelchair user.

Presidential Candidates & Including People with Disabilities in their Campaigns

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 31, 2020

Washington, D.C., Jan 30 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire. Question 15 in the Questionnaire was: “Are your office, website and events accessible to people with disabilities? Have you identified a process for including people with disabilities in your staff and policy advisors? If yes, please describe.”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates & Advancing Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities

Accessibility Symbols and the seal of the President of the United States

Presidential Candidates & Advancing Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 30, 2020

Washington, D.C., Jan 30 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire. Question 12 in the Questionnaire was: “How would you advance innovations (i.e., assistive technologies, devices) that can help people with disabilities become more successfully employed, productive and independent?”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates & Education for Students with Disabilities

A young woman with a disability smiling in front of a school bus.

Presidential Candidates & Education for Students with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 30, 2020

Washington, D.C., Jan 30 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire. Question 4 in the Questionnaire was: “The jobs of the future will largely require post-secondary education or other credentials. Today 65 percent of students with disabilities complete high school. What policies do you advocate to support the academic and career success of students with disabilities, especially for students from historically marginalized communities and backgrounds?”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates & Criminal Justice Reform for People with Disabilities

A wooden hammer resting on a small wooden platform

Presidential Candidates & Criminal Justice Reform for People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 29, 2020

Presidential Candidates Court Voters with Disabilities With Plans to Reduce Stigmas

Six diverse people with disabilities smile together inside of a hallway

Presidential Candidates Court Voters with Disabilities With Plans to Reduce Stigmas

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 29, 2020

Presidential Candidates Reveal Climate Plans for People with Disabilities

Climate change activist Greta Thunberg, who is on the autism spectrum

Presidential Candidates Reveal Climate Plans for People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 29, 2020

Washington, D.C., Jan 29 – As a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of community, RespectAbility has invited all candidates in the presidential race on both sides of the aisle to submit their answers to a 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire. Question 14 in the Questionnaire was: “People with disabilities are at extreme risk from climate change. What are your plans to reduce the climate crisis and to create emergency solutions for people with disabilities when disasters strike?”

Below, read the answers from the five candidates who responded:

Presidential Candidates Court Voters with Disabilities With Youth Employment Strategies

Five people with disabilities sitting around a picnic table having a conversation

Presidential Candidates Court Voters with Disabilities With Youth Employment Strategies

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 28, 2020

Washington, D.C., Jan 28 – With only days before the Iowa Caucus, presidential candidates are reaching out to voters with disabilities and their loved ones with specific plans for youth employment. According to the CDC, approximately one-in-four adults living in the community have a disability. Research conducted in the 2018 election shows…

RespectAbility Releases 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire

Three RespectAbility team members holding up signs that say "Earn My Vote". Red and blue borders

RespectAbility Releases 2020 Disability Voter Candidate Questionnaire

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 2, 2020

RespectAbility, a nonpartisan national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community, has sent its nonpartisan voter questionnaire to of all the viable presidential candidates on a variety of disability issues. The outreach is being done in conjunction with…

Clinton Joins Huckabee in Making Medical Advancement a Priority: Finding a Way to Prevent and/or Cure Alzheimer’s

Hillary Clinton met with Keith, whose mother has Alzheimer's, backstage before a town hall.

Clinton Joins Huckabee in Making Medical Advancement a Priority: Finding a Way to Prevent and/or Cure Alzheimer’s

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on January 10, 2016

Washington, Jan. 10 – Recently, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined former Gov. Mike Huckabee in making medical science a top priority. Clinton announced that she wants to invest $2 billion a year in funding for Alzheimer’s disease research. In the announcement, Clinton focused on the massive human cost…

Donald Trump’s Attacks on People with Disabilities

Published by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi on November 28, 2015

Washington, Nov. 28 – By publicly poking fun at an award-winning reporter who has significant physical disabilities, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump expanded stigmas that have been undermining people with disabilities for ages. It’s now been more than 25 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). True, physical architecture…