Enabling Everyday Democracy
By Alison Heinz Stephens
Voting is fundamental to the health of our democracy, yet voter turnout in the United States hovers around 60% during presidential election years and 40% during mid-term elections. Unfortunately, those percentages are even lower among people with disabilities.
Although legislation such as the 2002 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the American Association of People with Disabilities' Disability Vote Project aim to make voting inclusive and accessible, there are still undeniable barriers faced by people with disabilities on Election Day. Among these potential obstacles are accessible transportation, technology, obtaining necessary identification and encountering properly trained staff at the polls.
According to an October 2013 National Council on Disability report, titled "Experience of Voters with Disabilities in the 2012 Election Cycle," nearly 40% of survey respondents encountered architectural and physical barriers at registration and polling sites; 45% of respondents reported barriers inside the polling location involving voting machines; and 20% of respondents said they were prevented from exercising a private and independent vote.
US Representative Jim Langevin, (D-RI, 2nd District) said there are even more sobering statistics which stress the importance of generating significant voter turnout among people with disabilities. He estimates just over 20% of taxpayers with disabilities have incomes greater than $40,000."With so many Americans with disabilities living in poverty, it is especially important they vote to ensure that safety net programs remain intact and to help remove obstacles to healthcare, education, transportation and employment," he said.
Make Your Voice Heard
Langevin, who chose a career in public service as a way to give back to the community that supported him when he became paralyzed at the age of 16, said getting people with disabilities into office will dispel stereotypes that continue to serve as barriers to full participation and inclusion.
"We have a unique perspective on the world, and we need to have our voices heard," said Langevin. "Without a strong voter turnout from this population, we run the risk of stalling progress for the inclusion and empowerment of all Americans with disabilities."
Langevin said the progress made by others can lead to complacency, which is dangerous. Everyone has to believe that their unique experience and contributions matter.
"I know firsthand that civic engagement can make a difference," he said. "We all face challenges in life, and often it is not until we share our experiences with others that they fully understand and appreciate those hurdles. I have had the privilege of educating my colleagues in Congress about my own personal experiences living with a disability. But my story is one of many, and the more voices we have in this discussion, the more likely it is that we can make progress in improving the quality of life for people with disabilities to have more opportunities to be full, participating members of our communities."
According to Langevin, as many as one in five individuals have some type of physical or developmental disability. That represents a huge voting bloc and it is no secret that politicians are more responsive to the demographic groups with the greatest turnout.
More than likely, the elected officials in your hometown know who votes. This makes the participation disparity between voters with disabilities and without disabilities even more concerning. People with disabilities need to be voting in every election. It is essential to guarantee their resources, benefits and accessibility.
Georgia State Representative Rusty Kidd, (I-District 145), uses a wheelchair since a 1999 motorcycle accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Kidd comes from a family that has long stressed the importance of public service. Both his father and sister served as elected officials and, following his accident, Kidd missed only two days of the 2000 legislative session.
"The electronic age we live in today gives every elected city official a list of who voted and who did not vote," said Kidd. "I also have the list." He noted that he is not able to tell how persons voted, just whether or not they did.
"You have to remember that old saying, 'If you didn't vote, you can't complain,'" said Kidd.
But voter turnout is just one part of the disability community's needed efforts to foster civic participation. It's time for more people with disabilities to seek positions of power and run for office.
Engage in the Democratic Process
Eric Jacobson, executive director of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), said the key to getting individuals to engage in political processes is to start early and start at home. "We want kids in school to understand the way our democracy works," said Jacobson. "That means they have to get involved in things like student government, clubs and associations at school and take leadership roles."
Jacobson said there has been recent discussion that public education is moving away from teaching civics classes, which means it is up to the parents to fill that void. He said parents need to look at their own voting practices and level of involvement within the community. "Take the kids to volunteer day to clean up the park," he suggests. "Show your kids that your community is important to you and take them to a neighborhood meeting or to the polls with you when you vote. Let them see the processes and long lines and explain to them that this is an important part of being an American."
"Once they graduate, it becomes important that people with disabilities are involved in making their communities a better place to live. They need to be registered to vote; they need to ask candidates questions; they need to run for office themselves."
Understandably, Jacobson adds, students with disabilities will need support to do these things. They will need help from their families and neighbors. "They need to be at the table and be a part of that," he said. "That's what everyday democracy is. And if people with disabilities are invited to participate, they will bring their gifts and contributions."
Langevin encourages participation for the same reasons. "The success of our democracy is grounded in the participation of the people – people of differing ethnicities, beliefs, experiences and abilities," he said. Jacobson encourages parents to research what their school systems offer. There are groups like Partnerships for Success, which teach kids with and without disabilities, leadership skills together. "Even if academics is not their strength, that doesn't mean that leadership and participation are not," said Jacobson.
Whatever the organization or cause, the key is to find leadership opportunities for children with disabilities and instill a sense of engagement as the norm.
Take the Lead
A shining example of this early engagement is Kathy Martinez, President Obama's appointee as assistant secretary of labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Martinez was born blind. She credits her parents with instilling early in her the expectation that she would work and contribute.
"Instead of shielding me from life's challenges, they taught me to embrace them," she said. "I was lucky." Her parents fought to have her educated in a mainstream school. A career counselor's assessment led her to a job operating a punch press in a lock factory.
"As grateful as I was to have a job, I wanted more. I wanted to go to college and learn about the issues I was really passionate about," she said. And although it took 13 years, she earned her degree. And once she found the disability rights movement she decided to explore public service. "My advice for those thinking about entering public service is to be determined and persistent about setting goals for yourself and getting the support you need to achieve them," said Martinez. She also encourages would-be public servants to find a mentor. There are increasing numbers of people with disabilities serving as elected officials.
"I'm pleased to say that the Obama administration has numerous appointees with disabilities," she said. "Being a presidential appointee leading the Office of Disability Employment Policy is a far cry from working in a lock factory." Martinez is particularly encouraged by the diversity represented among these appointees as well. "Increasingly, the people with disabilities who are civically engaged mirror the diversity of this country," she said. "We have a long way to go, but I am definitely encouraged."
Beth English, executive director of Easter Seals Southern Georgia, Inc., and a disability advocate for more than 30 years, believes the key to civic engagement is to start small. It's not necessary to run straight for city hall. "We need to be using our personal networks to help people get engaged," said English. "Look to your neighbors, your church group, your co-workers and even new acquaintances. I can't tell you how many times I pick up the phone and call someone that I have just met."
English, who worked her way up to the Vienna, Georgia City Council and currently serves as mayor pro-tem, got her own start with the women's group at her church. She notes there are significantly more opportunities for involvement than most people realize.
"Find out what your issue is and then find a way to make a contribution," she said. "There are always vacancies and they just don't get filled because someone doesn't step up. You just have to go to your county commission and say, 'I'd like to serve on the Board of Behavioral Disability,' for example. They will need you."
English, who has worked with politicians and served as an elected official for decades, said it is not a lack of concern that keeps these special interest boards from running at capacity. "The state folks don't have staff," she said. "They are so busy. Government is very complex and they have day jobs and it's a lot on their plate. Unless they have a family member who has a disability, it's hard for them to understand."
She said calling, or even better, appearing in person, to volunteer for an open position is a great way for families to get involved. Not only does it benefit the individual with a disability, but it also helps ensure that resources for them and their families are properly managed and sustained. "If we can't provide these families with what they need, they will move," said English. "And then you're losing jobs and additional tax dollars."
Act Now
This year Georgians will have the opportunity to vote. Because this is a mid-term election year, 2014's voter turnout numbers are likely to remain around 40%. What voters have though, is an opportunity to have their voice heard. There is still time to get involved,
even if that simply means researching the candidates and issues in your hometown.
"Everyone should be asking about where candidates stand on issues important to the disability community such as financial resources to address waiting lists, supporting more people to go to work, and how we can make sure kids get a good education and graduate with a diploma that allows them to get a job or go to college," said Jacobson.
This is the time of year when people resolve to do better. Make a New Year's resolution to get involved. If there is a candidate or political party that inspires you, they will have work for you to do. If you are not sure yet where you fall on the political spectrum or if none of the candidates inspire you, run yourself. If that is not an option or you want to just learn more about the political process, there are other areas where volunteers are needed, such as absentee ballot voter registration efforts. But above all, stay engaged, knowledgeable and take action.
