On February 26, 1987, President Ronald Reagan designated March as the National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The language of the official Proclamation indicates that, even in this time, before the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, Americans were changing their perceptions about people with disabilities. It lauded efforts by the federal government and the private sector to work with advocacy organizations on measures that would help these people achieve “their full potential in school, at work, or at home.”
Twenty-five years later, it can be said that the primary focus of the month remains the same; however, the 2012 campaign is also spreading a message of empowerment for people with disabilities to have their voice heard during this election cycle. An un-authored op-ed in Wednesday’s Baltimore Sun reported that voter turnout by people with disabilities in 2008 was a mere 46%. With so many of the mainstream national issues directly impacting the lives of people with disabilities, it is critical for this population to make sure their voice is heard in all levels of government.
Affordable healthcare is one of the signature issues of this election cycle. Potential cuts to the Medicaid program will hit this population the hardest according to organizations that advocate for people with disabilities. The Arc has created a “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline!” Medicaid Toolkit with information and resources for people to learn about and share the impact of a reduction in benefits. The Web page includes videos made by families who rely on the program to provide care for their loved ones that they would not otherwise be able to afford. For the Keaton family of Milton, West Virginia, it means parents Amanda and Greg can continue to work at their jobs while son Graysen can continue to receive care from qualified nurses:
The American Association for People with Disabilities, meanwhile, has been organizing the community on a number of levels in support of Medicaid. As we’ve noted on a few occasions, President and CEO Mark Perriello has made increasing voter turnout by people with disabilities a priority, and on their Web page about Medicaid he urges everyone to look beyond the policies and into the individual people who will be affected by a decision to reduce benefits:
If you see Medicaid only in terms of numbers or names of programs, you miss the point. Medicaid touches real people’s lives. It’s about people who contribute to their communities and live the lives all Americans deserve — that’s the strongest argument to preserve Medicaid.
Do you know of any special events taking place during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month? Share in the comments section.
Image by Maryland GovPics, used under its Creative Commons license.
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