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:
Mayor Pete Buttigieg
“All people with disabilities should be able to live full and meaningful lives at every stage of life. Ensuring that individuals can learn, live, work, shop, and socialize in their own communities requires access to affordable, quality, home- and community-based long-term services and supports. That’s why I will ensure that people with disabilities have the option of receiving long-term services and supports in their home and community, including by supporting the Disability Integration Act.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
“In the Senate, Senator Klobuchar has championed policies to ensure that people who want to stay in their homes and communities can do so. She is a co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act of 2019 and as President she will push to pass this legislation and address institutional bias in Medicaid to expand access to home and community-based services for people with disabilities.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders
“Bernie will guarantee the right to community living. He’ll ensure that every person with a disability has access to home and community based services and affordable, accessible housing. He will end the institutional bias that forces people with disabilities out of their communities by passing the Disability Integration Act and enacting Medicare for All, guaranteeing home-and community-based services and assistive technologies to all who need them, without asset or income restrictions.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
“We must ensure every American has the support they need to lead an independent life. I firmly believe in the right of those with mental illnesses and disabilities to live and participate in their communities, and I will end the bias toward institutional care and guarantee seniors and those with disabilities the right to home and community-based services. My administration will enact and build on the Disability Integration Act and fully enforce the Olmstead decision to achieve the promise of community-based treatment and services under Medicare for All.”
Mr. Andrew Yang
“Andrew supports the Disability Integration Act because people with disabilities deserve to choose where to receive their healthcare. Community-based services are less expensive and more effective, allowing people with disabilities to remain integrated and to participate in their communities. Past legislation has explicitly recognized the right of people with disabilities to remain integrated in their communities while receiving necessary treatment, but these laws have been poorly enforced.”
RespectAbility is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities so that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of their communities. RespectAbility does not rate or endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes as voters go to the polls. RespectAbility has reached out to all of the presidential campaigns and will be posting all responses on The RespectAbility Report. View more coverage of 2020 presidential candidates.
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