Our Votes Count Too

Janni Lehrer-Stein
Jul 20, 2017 · 4 min read

July 2017 marks two significant occasions for Americans living with a disability. On July 26, we celebrate 27 years under the protections and entitlements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are grateful to our iconic leaders, Tony Coelho, Justin Dart, Ed Roberts, and so many more who crawled the steps of the Capital, drafted the legislation, militated for its passage, made the deals that won the day, from both sides of the political aisle. An entire generation has grown up under the ADA, and the nation is already reaping the benefits of a more inclusive citizenry, as we prove, every day that inclusion of Americans with disabilities benefits everyone.

The other occasion is every more timely considering the political atmosphere and what is at stake for our community. This week we celebrate the Disability Voter Registration Week. Our community celebrates one of our most fundamental civil rights, and seek to ensure that every American with a disability who is qualified to vote is registered.

While this may not seem to be such a big deal to those who vote in every election, the facts demonstrate otherwise. Approximately 35 million Americans with disabilities are eligible to vote, according to a recent report published by Rutgers University. This number expands to more than 62.7 million potential votes, taking into account supporters, colleagues, family members who enlarge the disability community, and its support of progressive and inclusive policies. This represents 25% of all votes that will likely be cast in next year’s mid-term elections, and likely, even more in the next Presidential election in 2020.

This means that our votes may will have a real impact on who represents us in Congress and in the White House. We have the power to ensure that inclusion is never excluded from our nation’s agenda. We, who have previously existed in the shadows, been marginalized, ignored, have the power to continue our forward momentum that started with the passage of the ADA more than a quarter century ago.

Disability issues have emerged from the shadows, partly because of the natural historical progression of the civil rights movement and because of current events that have put our community front and center. Maybe it is because of Donald Trump’s inexcusable disdain for reporter Serge Kovaleski on the campaign trail. Or possibly because of Hillary Clinton’s full embrace of the power and potential of Americans with disabilities.

Whatever the reason, our collective presence must be felt at the ballot box and the impact of our community’s collective will cannot be felt if we fail to show up when it counts ready and registered to vote.

This Disability Voter Registration Week, we owe it to our values, our children, and our eagerness to be fully included members of American society to ensure that every American with a disability, their family members, supporters and colleagues are registered to vote. There are a few easy steps we can take to ensure that this happens:

1. Be sure you are registered to vote, and register every eligible member of your family and extended network.

2. Visit the United Way, Non-Profit Vote, or the AAPD Rev Up websites to download your own voter registration kit, and get it going;

3. Contact your local government and request a proclamation around Disability Voter Registration Week;

4. Report the success of your registration efforts to the AAPD (American Association of Persons with Disabilities), by contacting Zack Baldwin, to ensure that we continue to grow the number of known eligible voters who will support disability interests and issues. You may reach Zack by logging onto the website of the AAPD, clicking to report your registrations or to communicate with Zack directly.

The America that I know and respect, one where the dignity of every American is cherished, where equal opportunities apply to everyone, where life is about our capabilities and determined effort to build enriched lives for ourselves, families and communities — it’s still out there. No amount of bluster or distraction should convince us to abandon our determination to make America inclusive, fair and just.

Since last November, many people in my network who share my commitment to the cause of inclusion have asked me what they can do to make a difference during these troubled and uncertain times.

We have no ability to make a positive impact for our community if we do not show up when it is time to vote — plain and simple. Moreover, of course, we have to be registered to ensure that we are counted and never ignored.

So please join me! As we celebrate more than a quarter century of our progress toward inclusion, make sure that we are poised to do what we must, in 2018, 2020 and beyond, to ensure that the power and potential of Americans with disabilities is recognized, embraced, and demonstrated!

Rev Up America! Get ready to vote!

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Janni Lehrer-Stein

Written by

Disability rights advocate; two term appointee by President Obama to National Council on Disability; Senior Policy Advisor to HFA; wife, mom, SF resident!

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