John McCain and Barack Obama on Autism and Disability

CBS3 looks briefly at the presidential candidates’ stance on disabilities and highlights some of what Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama have to say about autism:

McCain: “John McCain is a co-sponsor of the Combating Autism Act of 2006. John McCain believes this legislation will increase awareness and public screening of autism spectrum disorder, and will promote the use of evidence based interventions and also create centers for research.”

Obama: “Barack Obama supports the Combating Autism Act which was signed into law in December 2006. As a U.S. Senator, Obama has worked to fully fund the Combating Autism Act. And, as president, Barack Obama will work toward full funding of the Combating Autism Act and work with Congress, parents and ASD experts to determine how to further improve federal and state programs.”

For a more extensive discussion about the candidates’ views on autism and disability, go to this earliest post, written in late August. Briefly:

On McCain’s website is a statement entitled……. Combating Autism in America; the statement highlights the Senator’s concerns about finding out why the incidence of autism has risen in recent years.

[McCain mentions] early screening, better options for treatment, and doing what can be done to enable autistic children to “reach their full potential; [these are] important and essential. McCain’s autism webpage does not specifically refer to services or education (and special education, IDEA, and autism are not mentioned on his page on education issues).

Obama’s plan on Autism Spectrum Disorders is in his section on disabilities.

Special education and universal screening for autism in young children are specifically mentioned in Obama’s plan, as well as support for lifelong services. There’s an understanding of autism as an “autism spectrum,” and that individuals at different ends of the autism spectrum and their families, all alike require, in varying ways, supports and services.

And if you click on “read more,” you’ll find Obama’s letter about National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

October 2, 2008

Dear Americans with Disabilities,

It’s a pleasure for me to join you in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Americans with disabilities are an essential and underutilized part of our workforce. As President, I will work hard to help you achieve full equality – in the workplace, in education, and in all aspects of life.

I don’t have to tell you the dismal statistics – an employment rate 40 points below that of working-age individuals without disabilities and a federal failure to meet the disability employment targets of Executive Order 13173.

This must change – and I know that it can. Because I know that we can change it. One of the most
important measures of any society is how well it enables each person to live up to his or her potential. Fairness is important, but providing you with the supports and services so you can succeed goes beyond that – it goes to the heart of our nation’s future. Because in an era of intense global competition, we can’t afford not to put everyone to work. You shouldn’t be locked out of the workplace. Children with disabilities shouldn’t be languishing in failing schools that doom them to a life of second class citizenship. Your talents and energies must not go to waste.

America faces great challenges right now and we won’t meet them without the help of everyone who can work. It’s that simple. That’s why it is long past time for us to break down the barriers that still exclude people with disabilities in this country and deprive you of true equality of opportunity and independence.

One of the first places we need change is in the workplace, and the federal government should take the lead. That’s why my administration will be a model for other employers in hiring and accommodating employees with disabilities. Before leaving office, President Clinton issued Executive Order No. 13173, which mandated hiring an additional 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years. Eight years later, this goal still hasn’t been reached. I will reinstate this executive order early in my term as President and designate a senior White House official to assure that all federal departments and agencies do their part to help meet this goal. I will also vigorously enforce the Rehabilitation Act, including Section 503 requiring the federal government and employers who are federal contractors to “take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.”

In addition, I will launch an aggressive effort to educate employers about tax benefits designed to
encourage them to hire employees with disabilities, such as the Disabled Access Tax Credit, the Tax Deduction for Architectural and Transportation Barrier Removal, and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. They are underused and our employers can’t afford to miss out on these benefits any longer.

These actions will help many adults with disabilities increase their contributions to our society, and I believe we must do even more for the next generation. That’s why I will fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and ensure that it is effectively implemented and enforced.

This is a pivotal election, and it’s our time for change. I hope you’ll get involved, because I can’t do this alone. I need everyone to contact their friends and family to make sure they know about the issues and where the candidates stand. I need everyone who can to make phone calls and knock on doors to get the word out. Together, we can win this election. Together, we can achieve full equality for Americans with disabilities. Together, we can create the changes we seek.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama