Washington, Sept. 18 – In a conversation over state versus federal rates legislating the legality of marijuana, several Republican presidential candidates brought up the issue of cannabis oil for children living with epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Sen. Rand Paul claimed both former Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov.…
Washington, Sept. 17 – While there have been countless debates over the cause of autism and whether vaccines could be to blame, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump repeated claims that vaccines administered according to the recommended schedule cause autism. “Autism has become an epidemic,” Trump said during the CNN Republican Debate Wednesday…
Washington, Sept. 17 – The RespectAbility Report and RespectAbility USA, along with a growing list of nonprofit disability partner organizations (listed below), will host Online Presidential Candidate Town Halls on People with Disabilities, Jobs, and the American Dream. These town halls will be national, nonpartisan events that will connect the disability community…
Washington, Sept. 17 – The RespectAbility Report and RespectAbility USA, along with a growing list of nonprofit disability partner organizations (listed below), will host Online Presidential Candidate Town Halls on People with Disabilities, Jobs, and the American Dream. These town halls will be national, nonpartisan events that will connect the disability community with…
Washington, Sept. 13 – Hillary Clinton is the first Democratic candidate to include a page on her website dedicated to people with disabilities. Highlighting disability rights as one of the campaign’s issues, the site says, “We must continue to expand opportunities for all Americans.” Making websites accessible for all people is…
Washington, Sept. 10 – Social media is not a new tool for grassroots activists to galvanize supporters for their desired candidate. Three Facebook pages – two for Hillary Clinton and one for Bernie Sanders – highlight the presidential hopefuls’ stances on a variety of disability issues. There are two competing…
Washington, Sept. 9 – In an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, former Gov. Jeb Bush talked about bringing people together and building up the economy. When asked how he differs politically from his brother, the presidential hopeful criticized George W. Bush’s failure to reign in government spending, saying,…
Washington, August 28 – The shooting of two journalists on live television renewed conversations on two hot button topics – gun control and mental illness. Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has come on the record against tightening gun laws, saying he is “a very strong Second Amendment person,” and instead doubled down on…
Washington, August 25 – As The RespectAbility Report continues to track all of the presidential candidates’ statements on disability issues, we are asking for our readers’ help. Since our staff is small, we need you to ask the candidates to talk about these important issues. It’s simple. People with disabilities…
Important Dates: Elections, Debates & Expos September 10, 2015 Illinois – CD-18 Special General Election Louisiana – Filing Deadline September 16, 2015 CNN Republican Primary Debate Location: Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA Sponsors: Reagan Library Foundation, CNN, Salem Media Group Moderator(s): Jake Tapper September 18-20, 2015 Abilities Expo Location:…
Washington, August 24 – Em’s Coffee Company in Independence, Iowa may appear to have been just a stop for lunch – or on a tour of small businesses – for presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, but for the disability community, this visit last May means much more. Em’s is run by Emilea…
Washington, August 11 – Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has made no secret that he doesn’t like many people – and when he doesn’t like you, he’ll call you a “loser.” At the Fox News debate last week, Trump added another word: “stupid.” He uses these two words interchangeably to talk…
Cleveland, August 8 – Gov. Mike Huckabee cares “as much for any human being regardless of their condition,” campaign spokesperson Bob Wickers told The RespectAbility Report following the Fox News debate in Cleveland Thursday evenig. Read the full conversation below: Q: Can you tell me what Gov. Huckabee’s message would…
Cleveland, August 8 – Representing Gov. John Kasich following the Fox News debate in Cleveland on Thursday evening, Sen. John Sununu discussed Kasich’s “message of inclusiveness.” Kasich would “build our economy up so we have the resources to make sure that people are not left behind,” Sununu added. Read his…
Cleveland, August 8 – Republican presidential hopeful Chris Christie is “trying to get people back into the workforce,” Mike DuHaime, the governor’s chief political strategist, said to The RespectAbility Report following the Fox News Debate Thursday evening. Read his entire interview: Q: For the one in five Americans with a disability, what…
Cleveland, August 8 – Texas State Sen. Brian Birdwell, speaking on behalf of Sen. Ted Cruz, said the Republican presidential hopeful wants every American, including people wth disabilities, to “be the best you can be with whatever ability you have.” Below is the interview he had with The RespectAbility Report…
Cleveland, August 7 – Charlie Gerow, Carly Fiorina’s National Co-Chair, shares his thoughts on the candidate’s “message of inclusion” for people with disabilities: Q: What is Carly Fiorina’s plan to help people with disabilities enter the workforce? Carly Fiorina’s entire campaign has been built around the theme of unlocking human…
Washington, August 7 – Yesterday during the Fox News “Happy Hour” Debate, several presidential candidates promised to revoke all executive orders signed by President Obama. Multiple candidates including former Virginia Gov. Gilmore, former New York Gov. George Pataki, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, and former Sen.…
Cleveland, August 7 – During Thursday’s earlier Fox News Debate, Martha MacCallum asked the Republican presidential hopefuls about a top issue among not just people with disabilities but many voters – economy and jobs – for people who are receiving government assistance because of economic or disability needs. “Eighty-two million Americans over…
Cleveland, August 7 – Privately funded organizations, not the government, are the way to help people with disabilities obtain jobs, Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson told The RespectAbility Report following the Fox News debate Thursday evening. “Most of our social problems can be taken care of by business, industry, academia, Wall Street, churches…
