Key actions and positions posted on the intersection of disability and education, jobs, immigration, climate crisis, criminal justice and more
Sacramento, CA, August 24 – Democratic candidate, actor, screenwriter, and producer Patrick Kilpatrick has responded to a detailed candidate questionnaire on disability issues. The questionnaire is from RespectAbility, a nonpartisan nonprofit disability organization that does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes. RespectAbility has reached out to candidates in California’s critical gubernatorial recall election. The full text of RespectAbility’s questions and Kilpatrick’s responses follows:
EDUCATION & SKILLS: What is your plan to ensure that all students with disabilities, including English Language Learners, receive an appropriate education to acquire critical and marketable skills?
Facilitate long-term advanced training and state grants for teachers who specialize in this particular area. More money for specific training/educational programs for children with disabilities to facilitate their assumption of full independence and competence in adult society. A $1,000 scholarship towards higher education awarded to one student in grades 7-12 who was voted as most helpful to students with disabilities. A $1,000 scholarship for one student with disabilities in grades 7-12 who has advanced and succeeded with distinguishment in studies and extracurricular activities.
EMPLOYMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP: If elected, what will you do to advance opportunities for people with disabilities who want to work and earn an income, just like anyone else? How will you support employers, large and small, to recruit and hire workers with disabilities?
The state will consider subsidizing the salary of a qualified special officer in any company of 250+ employees, to maintain and facilitate the employment of people with disabilities in the workforce. Set up a pilot state bank program to lend entrepreneurial loans to people with disabilities to start their own companies.
ACCESS & INCLUSION: Whether or not you have a formal platform, what specific plans do you have to incorporate the voices of people with disabilities into your decision-making processes, if elected?
We believe people with disabilities should always have a place at a table in any decision-making process that involves people with disabilities. As a candidate, I currently employ people with disabilities in my film company, and have employed disabled people in my previous film productions. I have done service and been an advocate for disabled Wounded Warrior Veterans for decades.
FIGHTING STIGMAS: If elected, what will be your plan to fight stigmas, highlight the disability community, and promote higher expectations for success?
As a candidate and a human, I intend to lead by example and to honor role of the disabled in our business community, culture and world. In fact, I have supported disabled advocacy charities and initiatives for decades, including Disability Resources in Texas and other such programs.
OTHER KEY ISSUES: What additional policies and priorities, other than those already discussed above, do you plan to focus on to improve the lives of people with disabilities?
Lower taxes for all people which will improve the lives of all people, including the disabled. State subsidies for solar and wind power retrofitting, as well as expansion of desalination plants to support the ecological and economic life of the state, including for people with disabilities. More educational funding to student and teachers’ programs, including music, arts, and sports programs to improve education, including for students with disabilities. More pro-eco-sensitive business initiatives, including for the film and media production businesses to improve the economic and environmental life of all Californians, as well as the disabled.
Kilpatrick is one of many candidates who are competing in California’s special gubernatorial recall election. For a full list of candidates running in the September 14 recall election and to learn more about voting, please visit the California Secretary of State’s 2021 CA Gubernatorial Recall Election website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections.
RespectAbility is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of their communities. RespectAbility does not rate or endorse candidates. View more coverage of California candidates on our website.
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