Using an Untapped Resource:

Democrats with Disabilities

A Presentation
By
Turner & Associates &
DPVA Disability Caucus
September 7, 2018
About Ed
• I have been a:
– Library Aide
– Teacher’s Aide
– IL Peer Counselor
– State Administrator
– Camp Program Director
– Training Associate
– Advisor to the Governor
– Lobbyist
– Political Activist
 Learning Objectives
Central Committee Members and Campaign
Staff Will Gain a Greater Understanding of:
– Myths about constituents w/disabilities
– Talents and Skills of constituents w/disabilities
– Why constituents w/disabilities should be
recruited on local committees and as campaign
volunteers
– Why constituents w/disabilities should be
cultivated as a serious voting block
– How to better relate to constituents
w/disabilities
Why Cultivate Constituents with
Disabilities as a Voting Block?
• Constituents with
Disabilities:
– Usually Vote
Democratic
– Can Contribute
Modestly
– Are Usually Activists
– Concerned About
Proposed Federal
Policy Changes
– Can Be Great Party
Workers
History of the Disability Rights
Movement
• Prior to 1940 – 50’s
services in segregated setting
• The 1960’s
de-institutional movement begins
• The 1970’s
independent living movement started
• The 1980’s
supported employment
• The 1990’s
the ADA and other laws passed
• The 2000’s
solidifying our rights
• 2017-2021
Holding on to our rights, “For Dear Life”!
 Examples of People First
Language
• Refer to them as people
• Do not refer to people
with disabilities as: with:
– The Blind – Visual impairments
– Afflicted – Mobility impairments
– Cerebral Palsied – Cerebral Palsy
– Infirmed – Physically challenged
– Victims – Unique abilities
– Insane – Mental health issues
– Retarded – Intellectual disability
– Crippled – Power to vote
– Deaf and Dumb – Hearing loss with verbal
limitations
 Widely Held Misconceptions
• People with disabilities
cannot:
– Get around themselves
– Participate in the political
process
– Read and understand public
policies
– Exercise rights of
citizenship
– Be effective volunteers
– Work productively
– Live alone
 Other Misconceptions
• People with disabilities
who are nonverbal:
– Cannot communicate
– Cannot understand
– Cannot relate to others
– Cannot let their views
be known
– Cannot understand
Political issues
– Should not vote
 What Are The Real Facts?
• People with all types of
disabilities can be:
– Responsible
– Productive
– Contributors
– Democratic voters
– Co-workers/volunteers
– Lawyers
– The next judge you face
– District Chairs
 How Can I Better Relate my
Constituents With Disabilities?
• I can:
– Read more AMA journal
articles
– Read more books on
different disabilities
– Consult with Doctors
– Talk with Ed or Cyliene
• Is this really the best way?
– Yes/No
Ok, How Can I Really Better Relate to
Constituents with Disabilities

• Ways to Really get to Know

Constituents with Disabilities:
– Engage them in meaningful conversations
– Listen to understand
– Don’t pretend to know what we say
– Value what is being said
– Candidates, Please use “D” word in
speeches!
– Don’t patronize
 Relating to Constituents With
Disabilities
• When Conversing
with a Wheelchair
User:
– Be seated to maintain
eye contact
– Never lean on chair,
this is an invasion of
personal space
– Never push a manual
chair without asking
the user
Relating to People with
Disabilities
• Mobility aides are
– Considered part of the person
• When approaching people with visual
impairments
– verbally announce yourself
• When talking to people with hearing
impairments
– stand in front of the person and speak
clearly and slowly
 Relating to People with
Disabilities
• When speaking to people with intellectual
disabilities
– use age-appropriate language
• When speaking to people with mental
health issues
– avoid terms like: “crazy”, “insane”
• When guiding people with visual
impairments
– offer your arm or your shoulder -- don’t “pull”
them
Accommodating Constituents Needs

• Have campaign materials in

alternative formats
• Have interpreters at public functions
• Campaign office should be accessible
• Fundraisers should be held in
accessible venues or rent a ramp that
meet the ADA standard: One foot
long for every inch in height
Accommodating Volunteers with
Disabilities
• Disability; • Suggested Accommodation

– Alternate Formats
– Visual Impairments
– Accessible Workplace
– Mobility Impairments
– Discuss Task
– Hearing Impairments
– Give Instructions Clearly -
Repetitive Tasks are Best
– Intellectual Disabilities
– Low Stress task best
– Mental Health
– Discuss Needed accommodation
– Invisible Disabilities
 Closing Questions
• What will you do different in your political
practice based on the information you have
obtained in this session?

• Has this presentation changed the way you will

view your constituents with disabilities in the
future?

• If so, how?
Ed Turner’s Contact Information
Turner and Associates
913 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Trailer Number 193
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Home Phone: 757-961-1435
Cell Phone: 804-350-0565
Email Address: edvaadvocate@aol.com