The RespectAbility Report

Washington’s Bill Bryant Responds to #PwDsVote Gubernatorial Campaign Questionnaire

Bill Bryant standing in a field outside wearing a blue sweater

Washington’s Bill Bryant Responds to #PwDsVote Gubernatorial Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 28, 2016

Bill Bryant

Washington, Sept. 28 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked gubernatorial candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Bill Bryant, a Republican challenging incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee for the office of governor in Washington state, responded to the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

While Bryant did not answer each question individually, he sent a letter addressing several of the issues brought up in the questionnaire including employment. He also talked about how his nephew’s disability influences his views.

Utah’s Mike Weinholtz Completes #PwDsVote Gubernatorial Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 28, 2016

Mike Weinholtz

Washington, Sept. 28 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked gubernatorial candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Mike Weinholtz, a Democrat challenging incumbent Gov. Gary Herbert to be the next governor of Utah, responded to the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

42.5 percent of Utah’s more than 135,000 working-age people with disabilities are employed. While this number is higher than the national average, this lack of opportunity creates poverty, powerlessness and even can increase the likelihood of developing a mental health condition. Polls and studies show that people with disabilities want the opportunity to have the dignity and independence that jobs provide.

Alabama’s Ron Crumpton Responds to #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Ron Crumpton speaking at a campaign event. He is using a cane and there is a woman in a wheelchair in the audience.

Alabama’s Ron Crumpton Responds to #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 28, 2016

Ron Crumpton

Washington, Sept. 28 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked senate candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Ron Crumpton, a Democrat challenging incumbent Sen. Richard Shelby for the U.S. Senate seat representing Alabama, responded to the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

Only 27 percent of Alabama’s working-age people with disabilities are employed. This lack of opportunity creates poverty, powerlessness and even can increase the likelihood of developing a mental health condition.

While Crumpton did not answer each question individually, he sent a letter addressing several of the issues brought up in the questionnaire including education, employment, healthcare and caregivers. He also talked about how his own disability and that of his nephew influence his views.

Missouri’s Jason Kander Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Jason Kander wearing an Army shirt standing outside with an American flag in the background

Missouri’s Jason Kander Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 28, 2016

Jason Kander

Washington, Sept. 28 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked Senate candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Missouri’s Secretary of State Jason Kander, a Democrat running to be the next U.S. Senator representing Missouri, responded to the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

Only 33 percent of Missouri’s more than 450,000 working-age people with disabilities are employed. This lack of opportunity creates poverty, powerlessness and even can increase the likelihood of developing a mental health condition.

South Dakota’s Jay Williams Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Jay Williams speaking behind a microphone and poidum with America and South Dakota state flag in background

South Dakota’s Jay Williams Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 27, 2016

Jay Williams

Washington, Sept. 27 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked Senate candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Democrat Jay Williams, who is challenging incumbent Sen. John Thune for the U.S. Senate seat representing South Dakota, completed the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

South Dakota ranks first in the nation for employment of people with disabilities as more than half the working-age people with disabilities (50.1 percent) in South Dakota have a job. Indeed, individuals with disabilities in South Dakota are TWICE as likely to be working as those in the worst performing state of West Virginia where only 25.6 percent have jobs. Rounding out the top five states in terms of best outcomes are North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming.

California’s Kamala Harris Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Kamala Harris speaking behind a podium and microphone with sign saying her name in the background

California’s Kamala Harris Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 27, 2016

Kamala Harris

Washington, Sept. 27 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked Senate candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Democrat Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, as well as Democrat Rep. Loretta Sanchez, who are both running for the open U.S. Senate seat representing California, completed the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

California has 5.9 million eligible voters with a disability, and they are looking to know where the candidates stand on important disability issues in order to increase opportunities for competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities.

Recognizing the Impact of Voters with Disabilities on National Voter Registration Day

Recognizing the Impact of Voters with Disabilities on National Voter Registration Day

Published by Philip Pauli on September 27, 2016

Washington, Sept. 27 – Today, we celebrate National Voter Registration Day. With the election only 41 days away, time is running out for people to complete their voter registration. As we encourage all voters to ensure they are registered, it also is important to call attention to the importance of voting rights by talking about barriers that keep people from exercising their right to vote.

This day comes at a critical time not only for the presidential election but also for the one in five Americans who have a disability. The electoral power and political impact of voters with disabilities are being recognized like never before. From front page news stories in the New York Times and the Washington Post to groundbreaking political research by Pew Research Center and Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight, Americans with disabilities are being recognized as a potentially decisive voting bloc. Just this past week, Hillary Clinton delivered a major speech about disability employment.

Will Hillary Clinton’s Speech on Disability Employment Impact Conversation Topics at First Debate?

Hillary Clinton speaking in Orlando with the sign "inclusive economy" behind her

Will Hillary Clinton’s Speech on Disability Employment Impact Conversation Topics at First Debate?

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 26, 2016

Washington, Sept. 26 – Tonight’s presidential debate will cover three topics, each to be discussed for two 15-minute segments: “America’s Direction,” “Achieving Prosperity” and “Securing America.” As the New York Times explains, “these topics cover a lot of ground and could refer to anything: the economy, national security, domestic policy or the environment, to name just a few.”

The very flexible nature of these topics will allow debate moderator Lester Holt of NBC News to ask about current events and recent topics of conversation. One such topic is employment for people with disabilities, as was highlighted by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton during a speech in Orlando last week.

Speaking in a packed gym at the Frontline Outreach Youth and Family Center, Clinton pledged to fully support “a group of Americans who are, too often, invisible, overlooked and undervalued, who have so much to offer but are given too few chances to prove it.”

“If you don’t know you know someone with a disability, I promise you, you do,” Clinton added. “But their disability is just one part of who they are.”

Saying that the inclusion of people with disabilities in the economy would be “a vital aspect of my presidency,” Clinton went on to detail a few policies.

22 Candidates Respond to #PwDsVote Down Ballot Campaign Questionnaire

Text in image: #PwDsVote 2016 Senate and Gubernatorial Disability Questionnaire, mage in background - two individuals at voting booths, one in a wheelchair and one using a white cane

22 Candidates Respond to #PwDsVote Down Ballot Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 23, 2016

22 Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates, as well as Hillary Clinton, Respond to #PwDsVote Campaign Questionnaire

Washington, Sept. 23 – As more candidates begin to understand the importance of including people with disabilities within their campaigns, they begin to think about issues of critical importance to the disability community.

A just-released Pew poll shows that voters with disabilities span the political and demographic spectrum and can determine who wins the elections.

Political campaigns know that this is a swing vote and Sec. Hillary Clinton has made this a new centerpiece of her campaign. Likewise, Republican Sen. Richard Burr in North Carolina has made it central to his re-election effort.

To date, 22 down ballot candidates have responded to the #PwDsVote 2016 Senate & Gubernatorial Disability Questionnaire, devoting time and energy to addressing disability issues. Since the first release earlier this month, seven additional politicians have submitted their responses – making a total of 22 candidates for Senate or Governor to have provided detailed answers about their views on these issues for people with disabilities.

This is the first time down-ballot candidates have been asked to complete a questionnaire about disability-related issues on such a wide scale.

Nevada’s Joe Heck Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Joe Heck smiling after securing the Republican senate nomination, standing behind a microphone and in front of a large American flag

Nevada’s Joe Heck Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 23, 2016

Joe Heck

Washington, Sept. 23 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked Senate candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Republican Joe Heck completed the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities. His competitor, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, previously completed the questionnaire.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

Only four out of ten of Nevada‘s 171,600 working-age people with disabilities are employed. This creates poverty, powerlessness, and poor health. People with disabilities want the opportunity to have the dignity that jobs provide.

Two employers in Nevada that have provided exemplar models for other businesses to follow in hiring individuals with disabilities are PEPSI and Starbucks. Each of these companies stands as a great example of win-win-win policies that help employers, people with disabilities and taxpayers alike.

Clinton Set to Unveil Economic Plan for People with Disabilities

Hillary Clinton smiling with American flag backdrop

Clinton Set to Unveil Economic Plan for People with Disabilities

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 21, 2016

22 Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates, as well as Hillary Clinton, Respond to #PwDsVote Campaign Questionnaire

Orlando, Sept. 21 – Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is devoting this afternoon’s rally to her plan on creating an economy that values people with disabilities. Per an aide, Clinton will propose an economy that “welcomes people with disabilities, values their work, rewards them fairly, and treats them with respect.”

Just yesterday, reality TV star Nyle DiMarco starred in an ad for Clinton that is completely in sign language with English captions. “We’re used to being ignored,” DiMarco says, before stating that there are a lot of people with disabilities without a voice.

“The voice of your vote is the greatest voice we have,” he concludes, urging all people to get out the vote for Hillary Clinton.

It’s important to note, however, that examples of disability outreach are on both sides of the aisle, especially when you look down ballot. Earlier this month, GOP Sen. Richard Burr‘s campaign produced a new statewide television ad in North Carolina highlighting his work in support of the bi-partisan Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. This new law, which also was supported by Maryland Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen, creates new savings accounts for individuals with disabilities in order to pay for qualified disability expenses.

All of this comes at a time of multiple down ballot candidates responding to the #PwDsVote 2016 Senate & Gubernatorial Disability Questionnaire, devoting time and energy to addressing disability issues. Since the first release earlier this month, seven additional politicians have submitted their responses – making a total of 22 candidates for Senate or Governor to have provided detailed answers about their views on these issues for people with disabilities.

Recognizing the Power of Voters with Disability: Polling, Marching, Voting

American flag with stars in shape of a wheelchair

Recognizing the Power of Voters with Disability: Polling, Marching, Voting

Published by Philip Pauli on September 20, 2016

Washington, Sept. 20 – Last week, statistician Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight blog published an in-depth article examining the potential electoral impact of voters with disabilities in the 2016 election. This article, entitled “One in Six Eligible Voters Has A Disability,” documents in great detail the diverse demographics of the disability community and describes some of the crucial barriers impacting voting rights for people with disabilities.

Reporting on a new study from Rutgers University, FiveThirtyEight stated that “approximately one-sixth of November’s electorate will be comprised of people with disabilities” for a total of “34.6 million” eligible voters with disabilities. This new report also finds that the number of eligible voting-age people with disabilities is growing faster than potential voters without disabilities.

This research confirms past efforts by RespectAbility to estimate the potential power of voters with disabilities to swing the outcomes of competitive elections. In 2014, RespectAbility collaborated with Republican and Democratic pollsters on a survey of likely voters in battle-ground states. In total, this survey found that 56 percent of likely voters identified as people with disabilities and/or had a close friend or family member with a disability.

“We are accustomed to thinking about ‘soccer moms,’ ‘Hispanics’ or ‘values voters.’ But this poll shows that Americans with disabilities – and those who care deeply about them – are a demographic we need to pay attention to in the future,” Republican pollster Whit Ayres stated at the time.

More Candidates Respond to Senate / Governor Disability Vote Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 19, 2016

Washington, Sept. 19 – Since the first release earlier this month, six additional politicians have submitted their responses for the #PwDsVote 2016 Senate & Gubernatorial Disability Questionnaire – making a total of 21 candidates for Senate or Governor to have provided detailed answers about their views on these issues for people with disabilities.

The more than 56 million people with disabilities in the U.S. have a long list of policy concerns for the candidates running for governor and the U.S. Senate in 2016: Employment. Stigma. Education. Criminal Justice. Independent Living. Sexual Assault. Housing. Transportation. Adaptive Technology.

RespectAbility, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization advancing opportunities for people with disabilities, asked candidates on both sides of the aisle to complete a 16 (for gubernatorial) or 17 (for Senate) question survey. The questionnaire asked for their positions on a range of issues important to the disability community, a group that makes up fully one-in-five Americans. Their answers are posted verbatim and in full here on The RespectAbility Report, a publication that covers the intersection of disability and politics.

This is the first time down-ballot candidates have been asked to complete a questionnaire about disability-related issues on such a wide scale.

Montana’s Greg Gianforte Responds to #PwDsVote Governor Campaign Questionnaire

Greg Gianforte standing outside in a blue collared shirt and jeans with mountains in the background

Montana’s Greg Gianforte Responds to #PwDsVote Governor Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 17, 2016

Greg Gianforte

Washington, Sept. 17 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked gubernatorial candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Greg Gianforte, a Republican seeking the governorship of Montana, responded to the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

Montana currently has the twelfth highest percentage of employed people of disabilities (40.5 percent), compared with 77.7 percent of people without disabilities. View the rankings of all 50 states and compare.

Geographically, Montana is in an employment hotspot for people with disabilities. It is bordered by Wyoming and the Dakotas, three states who have some of the highest rates of employment in the country for people with disabilities. This gives Montana the opportunity to closely communicate and collaborate with its neighbors to identify and employ best practices and improve outcomes for people with disabilities.

Vermont’s Sue Minter Completes #PwDsVote Governor Campaign Questionnaire

Sue Minter standing in a white shirt and blue blazer with a field behind her

Vermont’s Sue Minter Completes #PwDsVote Governor Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 17, 2016

Sue Minter

Washington, Sept. 17 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked gubernatorial candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Sec. Sue Minter, a Democratic candidate seeking the governorship in Vermont, along with Republican hopeful Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, has completed the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

Only 33.3 percent of Vermont’s more than 41,500 working-age people with disabilities are employed. This lack of opportunity creates poverty, powerlessness and even can increase the likelihood of developing a mental health condition. Among those with disabilities, there is a poverty rate of 29.2 percent in Vermont.

Both Minter and Scott, as well as Democrat Sen. Patrick Leahy, incumbent running for re-election for the U.S. Senate seat in Vermont, submitted their responses to the questionnaire, ensuring that the voters of Vermont can make an informed decision.

We are presenting Minter’s answers in full below.

Vermont’s Patrick Leahy Responds to #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Patrick Leahy standing outside with clouds in the background

Vermont’s Patrick Leahy Responds to #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 16, 2016

Patrick Leahy

Washington, Sept. 16 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked senate candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Incumbent Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Democrat running for re-election for the U.S. Senate seat in Vermont, responded to the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

While Leahy did not answer each question individually, he sent a statement addressing several of the issues brought up in the questionnaire including his support for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Excellence in Mental Health Act of 2013 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

California’s Loretta Sanchez Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Loretta Sanchez wearing a red dress and pearls standing facing camera with background being ocean

California’s Loretta Sanchez Completes #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 15, 2016

Loretta Sanchez

Washington, Sept. 15 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked Senate candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Democrat Rep. Loretta Sanchez completed the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

Illinois’ Mark Kirk Responds to #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Mark Kirk seated behind table with a microphone

Illinois’ Mark Kirk Responds to #PwDsVote Senate Campaign Questionnaire

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 15, 2016

Head shot of Mark Kirk with Capitol in background — Mark Kirk

Washington, Sept. 15 – RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream, has asked senate candidates on both sides of the aisle to fill out a questionnaire on disability issues. Incumbent Sen. Mark Kirk, a Republican running for re-election for the U.S. Senate in Illinois, responded to the #PwDsVote Disability Campaign Questionnaire for Senate and Gubernatorial Candidates for people with disabilities.

RespectAbility is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The questionnaire is purely for educational purposes.

Only 36 percent of Illinois’ more than 450,000 working-age people with disabilities are employed. This lack of opportunity creates poverty, powerlessness and even can increase the likelihood of developing a mental health condition.

While Kirk did not answer each question individually, he sent a statement addressing several of the issues brought up in the questionnaire including his own personal experience with disability and his record on improving lives for people with disabilities, as well as specific plans for students and veterans with disabilities.

Burr Campaign Launches Television Ad Touting Work on ABLE Act

Published by Philip Pauli on September 12, 2016

screenshot of Burr ad showing picture of the D'Amelios family — Screenshot of Burr’s Ad

Washington, Sept. 12 – One week after incumbent Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) completed RespectAbility’s #PwDsVote candidate questionnaire on disability issues, the campaign supporting his reelection efforts launched a new television ad focused on disability.

This new statewide political ad describes how the North Carolina Republican worked to get the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act passed and how this law empowers people with disabilities to save money without fearing the loss of essential benefits. The ad features a North Carolina family with two children on the Autism Spectrum and discusses how the entire family benefits from these new 529 savings accounts.

“Without Richard Burr, our children and other people’s children would not have the benefit of saving for their future,” Christie D’Amelio of Charlotte, North Carolina, says in the ad.

The YouTube version of the ad, which is the version embedded on the campaign’s website, and the Facebook upload, both include captioning, which is important for the 37.5 million American adults aged 18 and over who report some trouble hearing.

The Role of Stigma in the Coverage of Clinton’s Plan for Mental Health

Hillary Clinton waving in front of multiple American flags while standing on stage wearing a teal blue suite

The Role of Stigma in the Coverage of Clinton’s Plan for Mental Health

Published by Lauren Appelbaum on September 9, 2016

Washington, Sept. 9 – Last week Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton released a plan for addressing mental health and illness in America. Unlike when she released a plan for Autism, this one did not receive a large amount of coverage.

The timing may be an issue. The Autism plan was released in January when all eyes were on the Iowa caucuses, while the mental health plan was released in August before Labor Day – a last chance of summer before the sprint to Election Day begins.

Another reason is stigma. People with Autism are more likely to be considered mainstream. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of every 68 children has some feature that places them on spectrum for autism disorders. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.–43.8 million, or 18.5 percent–experiences mental illness in a given year. However, people with mental illness often hide their disability from loved ones for fear of negative consequences.

Clinton’s plan aims to curb that – by “integrating our healthcare systems and finally putting the treatment of mental health on par with that of physical health.”

“Her goal is that within her time in office, Americans will no longer separate mental health from physical health when it comes to access to care or quality of treatment,” the plan reads. “The next generation must grow up knowing that mental health is a key component of overall health and there is no shame, stigma, or barriers to seeking out care.”

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