Just reading an article that tells me that, in the United States, the disability vote has risen to by 20% since 2008 and that outstrips the mere 12% growth in non-disabled voters. If organized properly and if seen as a voting block, the disability community could hold the key to many states and districts, and potentially, the election at large.
I found this interesting because, as I follow politics, during the United States election seasons, primaries included, I heard precious little in the way of discourse on issues that are specific to those of us with disabilities. Don't even suggest that most issues are of interest to people with disabilities because of course, I know they are but there are issues that speak directly to the disability community that benefits others as well.
But, I'd had to go looking for candidates' positions on disability issues. I had to double-check to see if there were any staff of any politician in the primaries that were prominent in their policymaking and visible in their presence. There were probably more but the one who had the highest-profile was a woman who was a wheelchair user who worked with the Buttigieg campaign.
In the future politicians need to be wary of ignoring a sizeable percentage of the population. We are growing not only in numbers but in awareness. As people shed shame and the obligation of gratitude, they become aware of something more powerful than even pride - rights.
Last mayoral election there were all candidates' meetings set up around disability issues. I attended those and found sizable audiences and a crowd that, to a one, had found their voice. A couple of politicians looked shocked like they thought we were a photo op, not a voting block.
Should we continue to find our place in the political discussions in the future, there's no telling, as we are a minority group that includes all minority groups, what we can bring to the table.
2 comments:
As the election is coming, people with disability and others much have equal access in the voting process, and everyone must raise their voice for the right's they wanted in their lives. Be a people with a disability or not everyone should be able to communicate about what they need. I often read your blogs. Nowadays, the main thing hitting on your content is mainly about the pandemic situation and how that is affecting the people's mind and mental health. All of us have a different perceptive on how to handle this present situation, but when we take in the case of people with disability, they are going through a tough stage apart from us. The stress, strain and the present pandemic situation is mainly affecting their mental health. The only help we can do to others is to understand everyone and give respect to others feelings and condition.
As the election is coming, people with disability and others much have equal access in the voting process, and everyone must raise their voice for the right's they wanted in their lives. Be a people with a disability or not everyone should be able to communicate about what they need. I often read your blogs. Nowadays, the main thing hitting on your content is mainly about the pandemic situation and how that is affecting the people's mind and mental health. All of us have a different perceptive on how to handle this present situation, but when we take in the case of people with disability, they are going through a tough stage apart from us. The stress, strain and the present pandemic situation is mainly affecting their mental health. The only help we can do to others is to understand everyone and give respect to others feelings and condition.
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