Politicians Don’t Understand Disability

In an op-ed published by Inside Sources, Mia Ives-Rublee argues that Congress should use the inclusive framing provided by the Americans with Disability Act to boost support for this growing community of Americans.

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Many people, perhaps especially politicians, fundamentally don’t understand the disability community. They tend to believe you’re either disabled and receive all the benefits you need for daily living, or you’re not disabled and don’t deserve any assistance.

Disability isn’t a binary code of ones and zeroes. Disability is a spectrum, and it affects more of us than politicians may realize. Because no matter what, if you’re privileged to live long enough, you will end up with some disability. As we recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, disabled Americans like myself continue to fight to break through the walls legislators promised to remove in 1990.

The above excerpt was originally published in Inside Sources. Click here to view the full article.

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Author

Mia Ives-Rublee

Senior Director, Disability Justice Initiative

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Disability Justice Initiative

We promote policies to ensure disabled people of color and those most marginalized by ableism and other forms of oppression can participate in the economy and democracy.