[Arizona-students] FW: Empower: Senator Edwards Answers Candidate Disability Questions!!

[Rivas-Parker, Karla, K]

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  Senator Edwards Answers Candidate Questions!!!
  
  Dear Readers, 
  
  Below, you will find Senator Edwards' responses to the ADAPT / 
  AAPD / NCIL / SABE collaborative list of disability questions sent 
  to the presidential candidates. Due to the length, answers to the 
  first couple questions are printed in their entirety, followed by 
  a link, which takes those interested in viewing the entire 
  response to the AAPD website where the comprehensive answer is 
  posted. 
  _________________________________________________________________
  
               AAPD, ADAPT, NCIL, SABE Questionnaire
                   Senator John Edwards Response
  
  1. POLITICAL LEADERSHIP 
    a. Do you support the creation and appointment of a permanent
       Assistant to the President for Disability Policy at the
       White House?
  
       A: The federal government can and should do much more to
       help Americans with disabilities achieve independence,
       productivity, and inclusion. Too often, these issues are not
       even on the agenda in Washington. Policies affecting people
       with disabilities can only succeed if they are crafted with
       the help of people who understand firsthand the challenges
       Americans with disabilities and their families face. As
       president, I will ensure that a senior member of the White
       House staff is dedicated to ensuring that these issues are
       brought to my personal attention and given the top priority
       they deserve.
  
  
    b. How will you make sure qualified people with disabilities
       will be a part of your political team and, if elected, as
       part of your administration? 
  
       A: To be effective, a presidential administration must
       include a diversity of perspectives. I am already working to
       ensure the perspectives of people with disabilities are
       included in my campaign by assembling a group of policy
       advisors, including people with disabilities, issue experts
       and advocates. If elected, I would appoint qualified people
       with disabilities to important jobs throughout my
       administration, not only jobs that are focused on disability
       policy. For me this is not just a matter of fairness: it is
       about having the best possible Administration, which means
       including a great diversity of perspectives and backgrounds.
  
       I would also make the federal government a model of
       diversity for the private workplace. Federal agencies should
       actively recruit qualified people with disabilities and
       remove the obstacles for working Americans with
       disabilities, such as supporting initiatives for
       telecommuting and flexible work schedules.
  
       The president must hear the needs and concerns of the 56
       million people in America who have disabilities. The issues
       that people with disabilities are fighting for, like
       protecting civil rights, better education, good jobs and
       health care, will only make America stronger in the future.
       I am committed to maintaining open lines of communication
       with Americans with disabilities.
  
  
  2. EMPLOYMENT 
  
    a. What steps would you take to reduce employment barriers
       and improve employment outcomes for Americans with
       disabilities?
  
       ...
  
       (Please go to the following link for the remaining
       questions and responses.)
       http://www.aapd.com/News/election/070612sje.htm
  
  
  Source: Senator John Edwards
  ________________________________________________________________
  
  For more 2008 Presidential Election news, see:
  http://www.aapd.com/News/election/index2008.php
  
  # # #
  
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