HILLARY CLINTON'S AGENDA TO EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

On the eve of the 17th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Hillary Clinton wanted to celebrate the significant progress that has been made since this landmark law was enacted. The nation has dramatically improved the accessibility of the built environment and the telecommunications infrastructure. But there is still have a long way to go. That is why today Hillary Clinton is unveiling a new set of proposals to empower people with disabilities for the jobs, work and careers they aspire to.

The United States will only reach its economic potential if it ensures that people with disabilities have the full opportunity to reach their potential. Americans with disabilities have half the employment rate and double the poverty rate of individuals who do not have disabilities. Even those people with disabilities who graduated college work at only two-thirds the rate of college graduates without disabilities. Hillary Clinton believes we must shift our orientation towards a new approach that helps those with disabilities thrive and reach their potential in the workplace, community and nation.

This agenda builds on Hillary Clinton’s record on issues important to people with disabilities. From her support for programs that promote access to long-term support services to providing universal health care, Hillary Clinton has been a longtime champion of policies and programs that help people with disabilities live full and rewarding lives.

Hillary Clinton’s work opportunity agenda for persons with disabilities is the start of an ongoing dialogue with the disability community. This dialogue will continue on campaign trail and when she’s in the White House. She wants to reach a point so that on future anniversaries of the ADA instead of lamenting the lack of progress on employment and economic opportunity, we can celebrate together the vast strides we’ve made together. The ADA’s promise of full and meaningful participation is not going to be realized as long as we have a bias towards institutionalizing people. That is why Hillary is a proud co-sponsor of the Community Choice Act and why today - in honor of the 17th anniversary of the ADA - she is proposing an economic opportunity agenda for all persons with disabilities. As President, Hillary Clinton will:

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/ada/

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