Approximately 26% of Americans live with disabilities, yet, disability is a form of diversity often underrepresented in our government and community leaders. At MISILC, we believe that the best way to create inclusive communities is to put people with disabilities at the helm, bringing new perspectives and demonstrating how to harness our talents. We believe in this approach because we use it in our own organizations: people with disabilities comprise the majority of our staff and leaders at MISILC and within the individual CILs. Unfortunately, our government still has significant progress to make: out of hundreds of leadership positions, the National Council on Independent Living reports fewer than 50 elected officials with disabilities serving in state and federal positions.
There are signs that change is on the horizon, though. Last week, John Fetterman defeated celebrity physician “Dr. Oz” for a seat in the U.S. Senate after a televised debate triggered ableist questions about his ability to serve with aphasia. Congressman Dan Crenshaw, who lost his right eye to an explosion while serving in Afghanistan and has only partial vision in his left eye, won his bid for re-election in Texas. Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth lost both legs while serving in Iraq and served in the U.S. House, as an Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs before winning her Senate re-election campaign last week.
High-profile races garner national attention, but people with disabilities serve in state-, county-, and municipal-level positions across our country. While they are challenging stereotypes and showing what’s possible in a more inclusive world, they’re also making the same progress and community improvements that their constituents would expect from any leader. In California, Calaveras County District 4 Supervisor Amanda Folendorf is Deaf, and previously served as Angels Camp’s youngest mayor. Her platform focused on strategic and financial planning, parks and recreation enhancements, and road safety improvements that are coming to fruition. Neil McDevitt of Pennsylvania, also Deaf, became Mayor of the North Wales borough in 2021 on a platform that included increasing walkability, improving public services, and shoring up the community’s “Main Street.” In Indiana, Evansville First Ward City Council Member Ben Trockman is proud to set an example for other young people and people with disabilities who are interested in public service and to be a listening ear for every resident.
As with other forms of diversity, sometimes it’s the sheer representation that matters—the knowledge that a person with blindness or who uses a wheelchair can have their expertise and contributions valued by society as much as everyone else’s. In politics, however, people with disabilities have the unique power to create more inclusive communities through policy and the lived experiences to identify specific areas in need of change. These policies will shape our society’s approach to access and disability in the future. For example, In September 2022, Sen. Duckworth co-sponsored legislation establishing uniform standards for accessible websites and requiring compliance among entities subject to the ADA. Duckworth and Rep. John Sarbanes launched the bill to ensure that people with disabilities could benefit from the wave of digital progress in employment, health, education, and more following the COVID-19 pandemic. In Evansville, Indiana, Councilman Trockman co-sponsored an initiative to create “complete streets” with bike lanes, curb cuts, and sidewalks whenever the city repaved or reconstructed a key thoroughfare—an ordinance that promotes safety and accessibility for residents using a wide range of transportation modes.
Removing barriers to participation is also key to increasing the ranks of people with disabilities among elected officials. Just before the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Senator Bob Casey introduced a bill that would allow low-income candidates with disabilities to continue receiving federal disability benefits instead of having their unpaid campaigning counted as “work.” He also introduced the AID Local Government Leadership act, which would provide funding to local governments for adaptive technology and other accommodations for candidates with disabilities.
Ultimately, improving participation and access for people with disabilities across our society will go a long way toward increasing representation in government. In turn, having more people in office with experience navigating a barrier-filled world will bring critical perspectives and initiatives that benefit everyone. By valuing everyone’s strengths and contributions, we can improve our communities and governments at every level.