A New Generation of Disability Activists
Disability rights issues are being noticed and protected due to a new generation of activists groups like the Disability Issues Caucus of the Young Democrats of America. The 500-member group is working diligently to get disability rights highlighted in the public eye, especially within the Democratic Party.
Chairman of the group, Ben Spangenberg, has spina bifida and was only 8 years old when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed in 1990. Ben and others like him have always had accessibility and accommodations provided by the ADA and want to make sure that their rights are not only protected, but expanded to encompass social equality. While many of the older generation with disabilities were lucky to have wheelchair accessibility in public buildings and on buses, the younger generation has a whole new list of important issues, such as workplace enforcement of the ADA, adequate education funding, more public accessibility, home health care aides instead institutionalization and most importantly, universal health care.
The Disability Issues Caucus of the Young Democrats of America has been very vocal about their passion on the universal health care issue. They do not believe that those with disabilities should have to choose, as they oftentimes do, between bettering their lives through employment and losing their health care benefits. The group believes that universal health insurance could address this popular concern and help those with disabilities to live healthy, active and productive lives with the freedom to choose and self-respect.
Why is the group focused on the Democratic Party even though the ADA was signed by President George Bush, while the Disabilities in Education Act was signed by President Gerald Ford? Many say it is because the Republican Party shies away from identity politics, refusing to split their causes into identity groups. Many others say that the Democratic Party has simply been more responsive and alert to disability issues.
Whatever the reasons, the Democratic National Committee now requires that state delegations not only include a proportional representation for women and minorities, but also people with disabilities. This rule was only passed this year and in turn, the Democratic National Convention of 2008 will boast a record high amount of delegates with disabilities. With a new generation taking a stand for disability rights, changes are on the agenda.
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Chairman of the group, Ben Spangenberg, has spina bifida and was only 8 years old when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed in 1990. Ben and others like him have always had accessibility and accommodations provided by the ADA and want to make sure that their rights are not only protected, but expanded to encompass social equality. While many of the older generation with disabilities were lucky to have wheelchair accessibility in public buildings and on buses, the younger generation has a whole new list of important issues, such as workplace enforcement of the ADA, adequate education funding, more public accessibility, home health care aides instead institutionalization and most importantly, universal health care.
The Disability Issues Caucus of the Young Democrats of America has been very vocal about their passion on the universal health care issue. They do not believe that those with disabilities should have to choose, as they oftentimes do, between bettering their lives through employment and losing their health care benefits. The group believes that universal health insurance could address this popular concern and help those with disabilities to live healthy, active and productive lives with the freedom to choose and self-respect.
Why is the group focused on the Democratic Party even though the ADA was signed by President George Bush, while the Disabilities in Education Act was signed by President Gerald Ford? Many say it is because the Republican Party shies away from identity politics, refusing to split their causes into identity groups. Many others say that the Democratic Party has simply been more responsive and alert to disability issues.
Whatever the reasons, the Democratic National Committee now requires that state delegations not only include a proportional representation for women and minorities, but also people with disabilities. This rule was only passed this year and in turn, the Democratic National Convention of 2008 will boast a record high amount of delegates with disabilities. With a new generation taking a stand for disability rights, changes are on the agenda.
Return to:
Additional Entries
How does social security define who is disabled ?
Disability claim filing - three things to consider
Processing a social security disability claim - what is involved?
Will social security look at all my medical records to decide my disability case ?
Social Security Disability and Neurological problems
Decided to appeal my disability case - how long will it take?
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