The New White House Agenda on Disabilities - Does It Give You Hope?

“We must build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination…. policies must be developed, attitudes must be shaped, and buildings and organizations must be designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to get the education they need and live independently as full citizens in their communities.” — Barack Obama, April 11, 2008

On his first day in Office, President Obama and Vice-president Joe Biden have published their agenda on disabilities. This disabilities agenda is one of twenty-four agendas published yesterday highlighting areas that the duo believe need action and attention. The disability agenda first calls for the US to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and then goes on to list four specific points that the President and Vice-president feel need addressing - educational opportunities, end to discrimination and promotion of equal opportunities, increasing the employment rate of workers with disabilities and support for independent, community-based living for Americans with disabilities. This list of four points is them followed by a specific section addressing the needs of American with Autism Spectrum Disorders and outlines four key elements of continued support for this group.

I may be naive but I am glad to see that these issues are at the forefront of the national agenda for the next four years. It will be interesting to see how the White House goes about implementing this agenda. Are you hopeful that their will be major changes in the support of people with disabilities in the next four years?