Equality Amendments Could Increase the Political Influence of the Disabled

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Main summary

In the current situation, the fight for the rights of people with disabilities is the elimination of the consequences but not the causes. Passage of the constitutional amendment may make it possible to eliminate the disproportionate representation of people with disabilities in elected positions. By realizing their political potential, people with disabilities can avoid many situations in which they need protection. This will eliminate most of the reasons why people with disabilities need protection.

Works of Sisyphus

Nearly one in five people in New York State has a disability. There are 3 million people with disabilities living in the region.(1) In the 2020 presidential election in New York State, 61.3% of the total number of people with disabilities voted. This is 12.5% ​​more than in 2016. Then 48.8% of people with disabilities voted. The proportion of people with disabilities who voted in 2020 was only 3.8% lower than the proportion of people without disabilities who voted 65.2%. In 2016, disabled people voted -9.6% less than non-disabled people.(2)

As you can see, disabled people have great political importance. His activity in the elections is growing. Since people with disabilities are increasingly trying to defend their rights. In trying to do this, disabled people vote Republican or Democrat. Disabled voters expect politicians to help them. Politicians justify these hopes. By gaining power, elected officials try to protect the interests of the disabled.

Predominantly, protection occurs through the adoption of various laws and legal documents. The newest and most powerful gesture is the development of “equality amendments” to the New York state constitution. This amendment prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and promotes anti-discrimination laws. The vote on this issue will take place in the fall of 2024. One of the organizers of the adoption of the amendments is Rebecca A. Seawright, member of the New York State Assembly and chair of the Committee on People with Disabilities.

«Senator Liz Krueger is the deputy sponsor in the state Senate. Both the Assembly and Senate passed resolutions in support of the amendment, commonly known as the equality amendment. This was done as required in the two most recent consecutive legislative sessions «As a result, in accordance with the process outlined in the New York State Constitution, the amendment will be on the state ballot for the November 2024 general election,» says Rebecca A. Seawright.

She emphasizes:

«People in New York can help by voting for the amendment next year. This will enshrine the highest possible standard in the constitution.» state protection against discrimination against people with disabilities and all protected classes listed in the amendment. «Its passage will serve as a model for other states to replicate as they strive to safeguard the freedoms of their residents.»

What is the main problem of the disabled?

Let’s be frank. Voting for the «equality amendments» is a good thing. This is not the only one. There are 15 bills pending from the New York Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities.(3) All of these laws should help people with disabilities. But there is a problem! These laws eliminate the consequences, but not the causes! The main reason for the problems of people with disabilities is that they have not realized their political potential. Disabled people make up 15.7% of the total adult population in the United States. But the proportion of people with disabilities only represents 10.3% of the total number of elected officials. This is 5.4% less than the proportion of people with disabilities in the total population. The state and federal situation is even worse. There, people with disabilities occupy only 6.9% and 6.3% of elected positions. This is almost two-thirds less than the proportion of people with disabilities in the total US population.

People with disabilities do not have sufficient capacity to independently make laws that affect their lives. Because of this, most threats to the disabled arise. These threats must then be eliminated through long, complex and costly legal wars. The «equality amendments» are only a small part.

People with disabilities need support in their election to elective positions. But there is no law that does this. It’s very strange. After all, a law was passed 40 years ago that helps people with disabilities vote. This is the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Disabled Act of 1984.

People with disabilities do not agree with the current situation. Director of the Communications Center for the Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY), Jeff Peters, says the disabled are not equally represented in legislative bodies. It is necessary to increase the number of disabled people in the office.

He said:

«In the disability community we often say, ‘Nothing about us without us.’ If laws are going to be passed that affect people with disabilities, and all laws do, there needs to be consideration and representation.»

Can something be done?

Can we accept a federal law that supports people with disabilities in elected positions? Political consultants believe this is not possible.

«In my opinion, the likelihood of there being a federal law promoting people with disabilities to elected office is very, very slim and incredibly unlikely in the foreseeable future. As far as I know, there is no federal legislation that encourages promotion.» of any marginalized group (i.e., women, people of color, people with disabilities, etc.) to elected office,» said Hill & State Strategies Senior Strategist Alyssa N. Batchelor, MS

Targeted Creative Communications, Inc. founder and creative director Dan Hazelwood also believes the chance is «zero.»

«That said, I doubt that such a law would be passed by this or any Congress,» said Assoc. Professor of Media and Communication, Lesley University, Cambridge MA, Donna Halper.

«You can’t legislate a minimum representation. This would compromise our ability to elect elected officials for whatever reason we consider important. And you can’t set separate rules for a group of candidates simply because they are thought to be at a disadvantage,» said the owner. , Principal Consultant, Elaina Bedio.

«It is highly unlikely that any government entity (federal, state or local) could craft legislation to make it easier for people with disabilities or any other group to vote,» said Matt Klink, owner and president of Klink’s Campaigns, Inc.

«I think the likelihood of promoting choice for people with disabilities is remote, at least if this becomes law,» – said CEO and founder of Capitol City Research, Willis Jones.

But at the state level there is support for change. It is not known how great this support is. But there is support.

To the question «Do you think it is appropriate to adopt a federal law that promotes the election of people with disabilities to elected office?» Assemblyman Harvey Epstein responded:

«I support any law that makes voting easier and more accessible for people with disabilities.»

As we can see, members of the New York community are not only fighting for the rights of people with disabilities, but they are also willing to take this fight to a new level.

However, these are still just words. There is no political force in New York State that is ready now to initiate legislation to promote the election of people with disabilities to elected office at the state level.

However, if «equality amendments» are adopted, the situation may change. The disproportionate representation of people with disabilities in elected positions can be called «discrimination.» So, according to the state constitution, it will have to be corrected!

References

1) https://www.health.ny.gov/community/disability/prevalence.htm

2) https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/document_library/files/Fact_sheet_on_disability_and_voter_turnout_in_2020_0.pdf

4) https://legiscan.com/NY/pending/assembly-people-with-disabilities-committee/id/4444

5) https://smlr.rutgers.edu/news-events/news/report-1-10-politicians-has-disability-thats-gap-representation

People with disabilities are the Achilles heel of American political elites

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