Autism and the 2016 Race

In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the issue's role in presidential campaigns.  As I explain in the book, Hillary Clinton has a long history with the issue, and has issued an autism policy statement for the 2016 campaign.  I have also posted about Kasich,  Bush, Rubio, Christie, Paul, and Trump.

James Trout reports at The RespectAbility Report:

During the summer, my first event as a reporter was the Road to Majority Conference in Washington, D.C. After seeing Ohio Gov. John Kasich talk about how as governor he made sure that people on the Autism Spectrum would not be denied access to healthcare, I had an opportunity to talk him. I told him that as a person on the Autism Spectrum, I was grateful for him to mention people on the Autism Spectrum as people who need to be “brought out of the shadows.” He then bent over, hugged me, and told me “God is looking after you.” It was a true and genuine moment.

In New Hampshire and Iowa, I attended numerous town halls where I had the opportunity to ask many candidates questions on employment for people with disabilities, event and website accessibility, crime rate, and other important topics. From Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, and from former Florida Gov.Jeb Bush to Kasich, I helped draw attention to important issues, all while educating both the candidate and the press who were covering the campaign.

It took three attempts to speak to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during my New Hampshire travels. The first two events were in small places that were not easily accessible. During the third, a town hall at the Pelham VFW Post, I was not called on to ask a question. However, I had my opportunity during the rope line, andChristie talked about his state’s Employment First policy.

Now, I’m in Iowa covering disability issues leading up to the Iowa caucuses. I’m now being recognized by candidates! Last week,Kasich publicly commended me for my work in being a self-advocate and bringing these issues to the table. I also am working with local disability leaders to press candidates to not only talk about our issues but also to walk the walk by making websites and events more accessible.

Jeb Bush and Developmental Disabilities

The Politics of Autism discusses how the issue came up in the 2008 and 2012 campaigns.  It is sure to come up in 2016, since Hillary Clinton has a long record on the issue, and Marco Rubio worked on autism legislation as a Florida legislator.

Jeb Bush is launching his official candidacy with a video that features an autism mom.

Berthy De La Rosa-Aponte (Cooper City, FL): Lucy has autism, she doesn't speak, she doesn't walk, but not being able to speak is not the same as not having anything to say. People with disabilities they want to have freedom, just like anybody else.
...
He really cares about us. He really cares about people with developmental disabilities, and with all disabilities. There are people today that are getting services because of what Jeb did. He doesn't do it for himself, he does it because he is a true servant. He is the best voice that we can have. 

Gov. Bush: I am proud of the fact that many families now have the chance to live lives of purpose and meaning. You can improve the life of people, whether it's in the programs for the developmentally disabled, or changing our economy, or fixing our higher education system. All of these things can be fixed I am absolutely convinced of it. What we need is new leadership that takes conservative principles and applies them so that people can rise up. America's best days are in front of us, and we are going to lead the world.

 


In 2013, PolitiFact discussed how Aponte drew Bush's attention to disability issues and added some context:

Some of the experts we spoke with said multiple lawsuits forced Bush to invest more money to serve more disabled Floridians, and the system was still left with many problems.

Other advocates for people with disabilities -- including Democrats -- speak highly of Bush for meeting with families that often lack a political voice and for getting more money for community services. Bush inherited a troubled system with long waiting lists, which occurred before and after he was governor.

Marcia Beach is an attorney who sued the state on behalf of people with disabilities, as well as a former Democratic Broward county commissioner. She said that overall, Bush’s record on this topic can fairly be called conservative as well.

"I was always extremely grateful he was willing to put money into a program and make the necessary changes and advocate a shift in public policy from institutions to inclusion," she said. "If you think about the arguments it makes good sense. It really is a conservative philosophy if you can avoid higher costs in institutions, then you really get a better bang for your buck."