Author: Philip Pauli

Trump Campaign Surrogate’s Message: “Uplifting and Celebrating Americans with Disabilities”

Published by Philip Pauli on July 7, 2020

Washington, D.C., July 7, 2020 – In a video message played at POWER: the Disability Vote, a national, non-partisan Disability & Election Virtual Summit hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Trump reelection campaign finally broke its long silence on disability issues. The President’s daughter-in-law and campaign adviser Lara Trump spoke in a direct message with subtitles about creating “real and meaningful change for the disabilities community” and how “every American should have the utmost chance to pursue his or her American dream.”

The video is the first statement of any kind released by the President’s reelection campaign that touches on the issues impacting more than 60 million Americans living with disabilities. That number includes people with visual impairments or hearing loss, people with visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, and the wide range of non-visible disabilities such as learning disabilities, mental health disabilities, or autism.

Joe Biden’s Message to Voters with Disabilities: “Dignity and Opportunity”

Published by Philip Pauli on June 29, 2020

Washington, D.C., June 29 – Former Vice President and Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden had a clear message for the disability community this past week: “Everyone is entitled to a life of dignity and opportunity.” In a video message played at POWER: the Disability Vote, a national, nonpartisan Disability & Election Virtual Summit hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), Biden spoke about his legislative record in the Senate and his vision for advancing disability rights if elected President.

Speaking of his legislative efforts as a Senator from Delaware, Biden talked about working on the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in his “first year in the Senate.” This law, which specifically prohibited “discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies,” created the legal environment that directly lead to the mobilization of the disability rights movement. Biden then talked about the passage of the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) of 1988. This law explicated added people with disabilities to the categories of people protected from discrimination “in housing sales, rentals or financing.” Lastly, he spoke with great pride about being counted among the cosponsors of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

AAPC Webinar: The Swing Voter Bloc You Might Be Overlooking

Headshots of Bo Harmon, Celinda Lake, and Philip Kahn-Pauli. Logos for AAPC, NDRN, and RespectAbility. Text: The Swing Voter Bloc You Might Be Overlooking

AAPC Webinar: The Swing Voter Bloc You Might Be Overlooking

Published by Philip Pauli on June 19, 2020

Date: Monday, June 22, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT / 11:00 a.m. MT / 10:00 a.m. PT

RSVP: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1961165212618960142

Every vote counts and persuading swing voters to support your candidate or cause can be key for successful campaigns. There’s one swing voter bloc that you might be missing though: voters with disabilities. With more than 19 million registered voters, you’ve likely interacted with this community without even realizing it. Join us for this educational seminar to learn more about this voter bloc. Walk away with:

A better understanding of what this key segment of the electorate looks like
Strategies to reach and communicate effectively with these voters
An understanding of how COVID-19 is expected to impact turnout for this voter bloc

Amid the Pandemic, Biden Campaign Unveils Disability Plan “For Full Participation and Equality”

Joe Biden on Meet The Press sitting in his home

Amid the Pandemic, Biden Campaign Unveils Disability Plan “For Full Participation and Equality”

Published by Philip Pauli on May 28, 2020

Washington, D.C., May 28 – After months of frustration, anticipation and advocacy by the disability community, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden unveiled his campaign’s disability platform. The plan, intended to positively impact the lives of the one-in-five Americans living with a disability, covers a range of issues as diverse and broad as the wider challenges facing the nation. Critically, the plan commits Biden and his campaign to ensure that “people with disabilities have a voice in their government” and are included throughout the “policy development and implementation” process.

The plan specifically delineates how a Biden presidency would “enforce civil rights,” ensure “affordable health care,” expand “competitive, integrated employment,” “strengthen economic security,” improve “educational programs,” and address “affordable housing, transportation, and assistive technologies” needs in the community as well as advancing “global disability rights.”

COVID-19 Economic Benefits How-To Guide

Published by Philip Pauli on April 17, 2020

Washington, D.C., April 17 – As more Americans with and without disabilities are caught up in the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are wondering where to find answers to life-or-death questions. In this How-To Guide, the RespectAbility team has compiled clear information about several key Economic Benefits to see you through these challenging times.

This guide includes the latest information and online resources about three key topics: accessing your CARES Act payment, accessing food resources and understanding unemployment insurance.

Leaders Need to Ensure that People with Disabilities Have Access to Online Food and Medicine Delivery

Published by Philip Pauli on April 15, 2020

CDC: Approximately 90% of people hospitalized with COVID-19 have underlying conditions, i.e. disabilities “Allowing people with the highest risks for the Coronavirus to use SNAP, WIC and other benefits for online food deliveries will save lives” Washington, D.C., April 15 – With the nation on lockdown for the duration of the COVID-19…

What Leaders Need to Know To Help People with Disabilities Survive

The western front of the United States Capitol

What Leaders Need to Know To Help People with Disabilities Survive

Published by Philip Pauli on April 9, 2020

Washington, D.C., April 9 – As lawmakers continue to work around the clock during this critical time, RespectAbility acknowledges the importance of ensuring people with disabilities are fully included in life-saving efforts.

“The RespectAbility team has been very hard hit,” said the organization’s President Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi. “Our IT consultant died last week, and our immediate past chairman has COVID-19, as do two other members of our extended team. Therefore, these issues are very personal to us and are working hard to get journalists and leaders the facts and sources they need so that policy makers and the public understand both the stakes and solutions to solving this shared crisis.”

Stimulus Package Becomes Law – Here’s What It Means for People with Disabilities

The U.S. Capitol building and dome from far away. Text: COVID-19 Stimulus Package Becomes Law

Stimulus Package Becomes Law – Here’s What It Means for People with Disabilities

Published by Philip Pauli on March 27, 2020

Washington, D.C., March 27 – President Trump signed into law today the $2 trillion-dollar emergency stimulus aimed at propping up the economy during the current crisis. This law is unprecedented in its scope and is meant to help our nation respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even now, government agencies are going to work to implement the new law.

Millions of Americans living with disabilities are wondering what this new law means for them and whether they will see any benefit. The short answer is yes, but how far the law will go to help people with disabilities who are uniquely at-risk to the impact of the virus remains an open question.

Elected Officials Need to Hear from Constituents with Disabilities – Here’s How

Icons for mail, phone, and email. Text: How to Contact Your Elected Officials

Elected Officials Need to Hear from Constituents with Disabilities – Here’s How

Published by Philip Pauli on March 27, 2020

Washington, D.C., March 27 – In these uncertain times, people with disabilities, their friends and their families are looking to elected officials at every level of government for answers. Often, however, people do not know how to connect to their members of Congress or how to send a message to their governor, state legislators or local officials.

Thanks to technology, it has never been easier to reach out and make one’s voice heard. Every voice matters and leaders need to know that the disability community is an integral part of their voter base.

Voter Guide for 373,391 Nevadans with Disabilities

Voter Guide for 373,391 Nevadans with Disabilities

Published by Philip Pauli on February 19, 2020

Nevada Ranks 9th in the Country on Jobs for People with Disabilities

Reno, NV, Feb. 19 – In the run up to the 2020 Nevada Democratic caucus, the nonpartisan disability organization RespectAbility has released its Nevada State Voter Guide.

According to the recently released 2019 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium, the total number of Nevadans with disabilities is 373,391 and they make up 12.5 percent of the total population. Research conducted in the 2018 election shows that 74 percent of likely voters either have a disability themselves or have a family member or a close friend with disabilities. The upcoming elections and their results will have an impact on people with disabilities, so it is important to become familiar with the candidates’ positions on certain issues.

Days Before the Iowa Caucus, Sanders Unveils New “Fighting for Disability Rights Plan”

Bernie Sanders speaking into a microphone behind a podium with supporters surrounding him

Days Before the Iowa Caucus, Sanders Unveils New “Fighting for Disability Rights Plan”

Published by Philip Pauli on February 1, 2020

The Vermont Senator pledges to “incorporate disability issues into every other area of public policy.”

Washington, D.C., Feb. 1 – With just days to go before the Iowa Caucus, Vermont Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders released his own comprehensive disability policy plan. Much like that of fellow progressive candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Sanders’ plan covers the broadest possible spectrum of disability issues including “housing, health care, education, transportation, technology and many others.” If elected, Sen. Sanders commits to “incorporate disability issues into every other area of public policy” and “to promote access, autonomy, inclusion and self-determination for all.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Plan for People with Disabilities: “Economic Security, Equal Opportunity, and Inclusion”

Elizabeth Warren speaking in front of the National Press Club backdrop

Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Plan for People with Disabilities: “Economic Security, Equal Opportunity, and Inclusion”

Published by Philip Pauli on January 7, 2020

Massachusetts Senator and presidential candidate completes RespectAbility Candidate Questionnaire

Washington, D.C., Jan. 7 – Posted last week on her website, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s campaign has released a comprehensive statement on disability policy covering critical issues such as employment, health care, education, technology and the social safety net. Subsequently, the campaign completed the 2020 Disability Voter Questionnaire by the disability advocacy group RespectAbility.

Her responses to questionnaire reflect technical expertise drawn directly from diverse leaders in the disability community.

“People with disabilities are still fighting for economic security, equal opportunity, and inclusion – and they are not fighting alone,” Warren said. “As president, I will work in partnership with the disability community to combat ableism.”

Further, she aligns her campaign commitments to the “the four goals of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.” Establishing a new “National Office of Disability Coordination to ensure that federal programs work together to support people with disabilities” is one way she intends to keep her promises if elected.

“Policy is Personal” Says Senator Elizabeth Warren in New Disability Rights Plan

Senator Elizabeth Warren sitting on a white chair, speaking at the Heartland Forum in Storm Lake, Iowa

“Policy is Personal” Says Senator Elizabeth Warren in New Disability Rights Plan

Published by Philip Pauli on December 2, 2019

Washington, D.C., Dec. 2 – Under the banner headline of “Fighting for an Accessible and Inclusive America,” Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren pledges she “will always fight for the full inclusion of people with disabilities.” The presidential candidate’s thorough plan to address disability rights highlights both her record of advocacy in areas such as employment and education while also pledging major actions on health care and inclusion. Her disability rights plan concludes by making it clear that this “policy is personal.”

1,156 New Jobs for People with Disabilities in Washington State as Gov. Jay Inslee Launches 2020 Campaign

L-R: Heidi Wangelin, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and Philip Kahn-Pauli smile together

1,156 New Jobs for People with Disabilities in Washington State as Gov. Jay Inslee Launches 2020 Campaign

Published by Philip Pauli on April 12, 2019

Washington, D.C., April 12th – While nationally 111,804 jobs were gained by people with disabilities, 1,156 went to people with disabilities living in Washington State. The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows there are 480,828 working-age (18-64) people with disabilities living in Washington State. Out of that number, only 194,948 have jobs.…

1,441 Wisconsinites with Disabilities Lose Jobs as Gov. Tony Evers pledged major commitment to student with disabilities

Governor Tony Evers smiling in front of a blurred background of grass, trees, and road

1,441 Wisconsinites with Disabilities Lose Jobs as Gov. Tony Evers pledged major commitment to student with disabilities

Published by Philip Pauli on April 8, 2019

Washington, D.C., April 8 – During the 2019 National Governors’ Association winter meeting, newly elected Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said that “education is the most important issue in Wisconsin” and pledged a $1.4 billion dollar investment in his state’s schools. Out of that investment, Gov. Evers pledged a “600 million dollar…

Expansion of Best Practices leads to 19,745 new jobs for Californians with Disabilities

L-R: Gavin Newsom, Philip Kahn-Pauli, and Heidi Wangelin smile together in the Marriot Marquis lobby

Expansion of Best Practices leads to 19,745 new jobs for Californians with Disabilities

Published by Philip Pauli on April 2, 2019

Washington, D.C., April 2 – Nationwide 111,804 people with disabilities got new jobs last year, including 19,745 new jobs for Californians with disabilities. The Golden State now ranks 35th among the 50 states in terms of the employment rate for people with disabilities. The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows there…

2,240 New Jobs for Louisianans with Disabilities as Gov. Edwards Launches Reelection Campaign

Governor John Bel Edwards smiling in front of trees

2,240 New Jobs for Louisianans with Disabilities as Gov. Edwards Launches Reelection Campaign

Published by Philip Pauli on April 2, 2019

Washington, D.C., April 2 – While 111,804 jobs were gained by people with disabilities, 2,240 went to Louisianans with disabilities. The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows there are 361,642 working-age (18-64) people with disabilities living in Louisiana. Out of that number, only 122,683 have jobs. That means…

GOOD NEWS! 11,473 new jobs for New Yorkers with Disabilities

Andrew Cuomo speaking in front of a black and red background

GOOD NEWS! 11,473 new jobs for New Yorkers with Disabilities

Published by Philip Pauli on April 1, 2019

Washington, D.C., April 1 – Nationwide 111,804 people with disabilities got new jobs last year, including 11,473 new jobs for New Yorkers with disabilities. The Empire State now ranks 38th among the 50 states in terms of employment rates for people with disabilities. The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows there…

1,691 new jobs for people with disabilities in Delaware

1,691 new jobs for people with disabilities in Delaware

Published by Philip Pauli on March 13, 2018

Washington, D.C., March 13 – As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 16,91 more people with disabilities in Delaware became employed. People with disabilities have previously been left out of periods of economic growth, today’s workforce…

14,846 new jobs for people with disabilities in Colorado

Published by Philip Pauli on March 13, 2018

Gov. Hickenlooper receives RespectAbility Award for job gains among Coloradans with Disabilities. Washington, D.C., March 13 – As the economy expands, for the first time in decades people with disabilities are gaining jobs, success and independence. According to new data, 14,846 more people with disabilities entered Colorado’s workforce last year. People with…