Welcome to the Ohio Disability Vote Coalition

What's At Stake?

July 26, 2008 marked the 18th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. This landmark civil rights legislation brought dignity and equality to people with disabilities and brought their issues into the mainstream of consciousness of the American People. Access denied to people with disabilities in education, employment, transportation and overall independence was validated by Congress and the move to finally end such discrimination began.

July 26, 2008 also marked another unprecedented day for people with disabilities. A National Forum on Disability, featuring the presidential candidates or their representative, would be the first time that people with disabilities and their families gathered in one place to specifically address the policies of John McCain and Barack Obama. Never before has the disability community banded together for such a purpose.

The Ohio Disability Vote Coalition along with its Washington D.C. based partner, the American Association of People with Disabilities, collaborated on the Forum. With 80 national, state and local sponsors, 500 attendees from across the country, and at least 1000 more participating in a national webcast, the message was clear. As the largest minority in the country, more than 50 million Americans, 37 million of voting age, the political power of such a voting block can no longer be dismissed as insignificant or inconsequential. Why is this so important? Historically this population has voted with the least frequency of any minority in the country. They have not warranted attention by pollsters. Their issues are rarely identified in political platforms or party priorities.

While people with disabilities have made tremendous progress due to the passage of the ADA there still exists major examples of inequality with non-disabled Americans. Unemployment averages approximately 14% higher among those with disabilities as compared to those without disabilities, nearly three times more than for people without disabilities. Twenty-seven percent of non-institutionalized people with disabilities aged 18 to 64 live in families with incomes below the poverty line, compared to 8.8% of men and women without disabilities. The median income for this disabled population is $27,200 as opposed to an average of $57,800 of citizens who do not have a disability.

Barriers include continued lack of physical access to transportation and to public buildings. Lack of healthcare exceeds that of the national average. While students with disabilities are finally entitled to receive the supports that they need in order to access the same education as their non-disabled peers, inequities still exist particularly with lack of physical access and expectations continue to be exceedingly low for those with cognitive disabilities. Those who must access Medicaid are often forced into expensive, institutionalized facilities due to the policies of that system while most would prefer living in their own homes and communities, which is a less costly and more responsible expenditure of public dollars.

The time has come for people with disabilities and their families to recognize their combined political power, to ask and receive answers regarding the policies that impact their independence and well-being. The time has come to elect officials that publicly recognize the implications and significance of these issues. Disability knows no boundaries - race, religion, politics, age, economic status, none matter. All candidates must acknowledge this constituency in a significant way. What better time than right now, in Ohio!

Susan Hetrick
Coordinator
Ohio Disability Vote Coalition