Biden unveils disability rights plan: ‘Your voices have to be heard’

Probable Democratic presidential candidate Joe BidenJoe BidenThe Hill’s Morning Report – Biden Talks Infrastructure Amid Boundary and Agrees Controversy Juan Williams: GOP’s Big Lie About Voting Schumer MORE enters re-election modeAs part of the campaign, a comprehensive plan for the rights of people with disabilities was launched on Thursday, including provisions such as appointing a director for disability policy and ensuring parental rights for people with disabilities.

Biden, who practically presented the plan on Thursday, caused his own stutter and said, “It never quite goes away, but it turned out to be one of the greatest gifts God gave me.”

The former vice president also discussed his experience as a co-sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 behind “my friends’ incredible moral guidance [Sen.] Tom HarkinThomas (Tom) Richard Harkin We need voting rights circumvention Romney’s TRUST Act is a Trojan horse designed to cut benefits for seniors. Two other Trump farewell shots are aimed directly at disabled workers (D-Iowa) and [Rep.] Tony Coelho [D-Calif.]. ”

Biden also hit the Trump administration’s record on disability rights, including its attempts to repeal Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid, saying, “It’s literally despicable, and I don’t use that word often.”

He vowed to put disability rights “central to my administration’s agenda,” adding, “Your voices must be heard, and not just heard, but heard, because it is an issue that matters to every American, equality and dignity . “

It is. Tammy DuckworthLadda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthDuckworth doesn’t rule out running for president: “Maybe if it’s good for the country.” Head of DC Guard Tapped To Manage Home Security More Troops Accept COVID-19 Vaccine OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Biden Cannot Envision Troops in Afghanistan Next Year | Colonel-General Says US Needed in Taliban Fight Trump Somalia’s withdrawal brings MORE disadvantages (D-Ill.) Has directly linked the coronavirus pandemic to the rights of people with disabilities and referred to them as an example of “what bad leadership” can do for the community.

Duckworth praised the Biden campaign for including in its plan the guidelines it advocated, including “full involvement of people with disabilities in policy development” and the appointment of a disability policy director who also engages with various stakeholders, including community leaders, representatives of disability organizations, and individual disabled people and their families.

“This benefits our entire nation and I really appreciate how responsive the Vice President was,” said Duckworth.

“Disability rights are not a niche issue,” added the Illinois senator, who lost both legs and some mobility in her right arm in a helicopter crash in Iraq. Many Americans have said, “All of a sudden… find [themselves] You have to rely on the protection of ADA to get access to things. “

“The Biden campaign has been very receptive to the input I’ve given them and I think that’s the key part. They want to be champions for the disabled community, ”she added. “This benefits our entire nation and I really appreciate how responsive the Vice President was.”

In the plan, the Biden campaign also promised to pass legislation to convert the Olmstead v LC Supreme Court decision into law. The ruling requires government programs to give disabled people the choice “to live, work and receive services in integrated environments”.

“As president, Biden will ensure that every agency aggressively enforces Olmstead’s integration mandate, including housing, education, healthcare, employment and transportation,” the plan said.

The plan also provides for directing the Department of Justice to review guardianship laws that may affect the self-determination of disabled adults while ensuring that children’s charities and family courts respect the parental rights of disabled people and do not discriminate when assessing parental capacity.

The Biden campaign did not reveal a disability plan during the primaries, causing frustration for some activists.

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