Joe Biden's Disability Rights Plan as Part of Presidential Campaign

Presidential election is around the corner and Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, has rolled out a comprehensive disability-rights plan. One of the biggest and most important aspects of the disability-rights plan is the introduction of a director of disability policy. Another major highlight is the prioritization of the parental rights of people with disabilities. The disability parental rights will allow guardianship laws that may interfere with adults with disabilities' self-determination to be reviewed by the Justice Department. It will also help to ensure that child welfare agencies and family courts respect the parental rights of people with disabilities (Biden, 2020).

Joe Biden's Plan for Disability Rights as a Component of His Presidential Campaign

In a virtual announcement last week Thursday, Joe Biden made his disability plan announcement while invoking his own stutter, which is considered a speech impairment, by saying, “It never fully goes away but it turned out to be one of my best parts” (Biden, 2020). Joe Biden has always been a supporter of the disability community. In fact, he was one of the many faces behind the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which he co-sponsored under the incredible moral leadership of friends like Sen. Tom Harkin and Rep. Tony Coelho.

Critique of the Trump Administration

Biden did not just announce his disability plans; he also criticized the Trump administration’s record on disability rights. He condemned the various attempts of the Trump administration to overturn the Affordable Care Act. He also said the cuts made to Medicaid are despicable and that they would be reversed if he is given the chance to lead America (Biden, 2020).

Commitment to Disability Rights

Joe Biden stated that central to his administration’s agenda is the promotion of disability rights, diversity, and inclusion. "I believe your voices must be heard, and not just heard, but listened to, because this is about issues that matter to every American: equality, dignity, diversity, and inclusion," he emphasized (Biden, 2020).

Senator Tammy Duckworth's Remarks

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) also spoke at the Joe Biden disability-rights plan announcement. The senator tied the COVID-19 pandemic to disability rights, calling it an example of “what bad leadership” can do to the community. She praised Joe Biden for including policies she has championed over the years, including “full inclusion of people with disabilities in policy development” and appointing a director of disability policy who will engage with various stakeholders in the disability community. “These policies will benefit the whole nation; we need to promote diversity and inclusion, and I really do appreciate how responsive the former vice president has been,” Duckworth said (Duckworth, 2020).

Legislative Goals

Another major issue being addressed in the disability-rights plan is the passage of legislation to turn the Supreme Court’s Olmstead v. L.C. decision into law. The ruling simply wants the US government to include people with disabilities in its programs, with the choice to live, work, and receive services in integrated settings. The plan specifically stated that Joe Biden will ensure every agency aggressively enforces Olmstead’s integration mandate, including in housing, education, health care, employment, and transportation (Biden, 2020). This will not only ensure compliance with the law but will also promote a culture of inclusivity and respect across various sectors of society.

Conclusion

Overall, Joe Biden's disability-rights plan is a comprehensive effort to address long-standing issues faced by the disability community. By prioritizing parental rights, enforcing the Olmstead decision, and ensuring that disability policy is at the forefront of his administration, Biden is making a strong commitment to promoting equality and inclusion for all Americans.

References

Biden, J. (2020). Joe Biden’s Disability Rights Plan. Presidential Campaign Announcement.

Duckworth, T. (2020). Remarks at Joe Biden Disability-Rights Plan Announcement. Presidential Campaign Event.