Obama: Not Satisfied With Progress Made on Disabilities
EmailFrom ABC News’ Sarah Tobianski:
In light of the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, President Obama has instructed Ambassador Susan Rice to sign a United Nations document in New York next week, urging all nations to guarantee equal protection and benefits for the disabled.
“Disability rights aren't just civil rights to be enforced here at home; they're universal rights to be recognized and promoted around the world,” President Obama said. “And that's why I'm proud to announce that next week, the United States of America will join 140 other nations in signing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities — the first new human rights convention of the 21st century.”
To mark the event, President Obama was joined by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to sign a celebratory proclamation.
But even with this and the efforts made on initiatives like the lifting on the ban on stem cell research and the reauthorization of SCHIP, the president says there’s still a lot of work to be done at home to make sure those with disabilities reach their full potential.
“I am not satisfied I am proud of the progress we have made but I am not satisfied – and I know you are not either – until every American with a disability can learn in their local public school in the manner that’s best for them,” President Obama said. "Until they can apply for a job without discrimination and live and work independently in their communities, if that is what they choose, we have got more work to do. As long as we as a people still too easily succumb to casual discrimination or fear of the unfamiliar, we've still got more work to do.”
President Obama doesn’t have a picture perfect track record with the disabled community. In March, Obama offended many people with his botched remarks on the Jay Leno show, comparing his much-to-be-desired bowling skills to the Special Olympics.
Obama said he is often reminded of those with disabilities on his way to the Oval Office in the morning, as he walks down a ramp that was constructed for President Roosevelt’s wheelchair.
“Back then, fear and prejudice towards Americans with disabilities was the norm, but most Americans didn't even know that President Roosevelt had a disability,” President Obama said. “That means that what most Americans also didn't know was that President Roosevelt's disability made absolutely no difference to his ability to renew our confidence, or rescue our economy, and mobilize our greatest generation to save our way of life.”
Obama was joined by a group of dignitaries – including New York Gov. David Patterson and former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C. – all of whom either suffer with or are close to those with disabilities.
-Sarah Tobianski
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Disabled rights? Once the federal health care program is in place, and cost cutting measures are required, disabled persons, like medicare recipients, will be counseled on their right to assisted suicide.
Posted by: Terry | July 24, 2009, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm
The Roosevelt analogy is a little interesting, given that maybe it didn’t make a difference for President Roosevelt, but it did for the rest of the people with disabilities. However, I really appreciate Obama’s work, the fact that he followed through within a year after his election. Now the Convention needs to be ratified, and hopefully it won’t take as long as it did in the UK.
Posted by: Tom | July 24, 2009, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
From a childhood sports injury, Henry Louis Gates has always had a bad hip. Is that where this is going?
Posted by: Bet Noir | July 24, 2009, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm
Well, next Obama can work on Federal Injured Workers who become disabled due to a on the job injury while at work. As it currently stands the majority of more severe injuries sustained while working in a Federal position are denied their claim. There are literally thousands of Federal workers who are without income, loosing their homes, and having to file for bankrupcy due to these denials. Most are denied due to nit picky Dr. reports whereby a Physician fails to use the “majik” word like “contributed”, etc., What kind of government do we have that conducts criminal behavior while condemning Insurance Companies for doing it?? Health care reform and Disability rights, etc., will never be fixed when you’ve got the fox sitting in the hen house. OBAMA needs to assist all those that were denied Worker’s Comp, Federal Workers, who are disabled, discriminated against for part time employment due to a claim for a On the Job Injury and who have lost much of their lives for having had a accident at work. The lie that your employer will be there is you are ever injured while working needs to stop! Obama, help the injured Federal Worker, show you really do care, really do want change, and hold those responsible for these denials in a criminal court of law. Also, hold those who submit false claims accountable so that those who are truly injured while working do not suffer for those unscrupulous people. Amen!
Posted by: hickoryone | July 25, 2009, 4:33 am 4:33 am
‘Change you can believe’…yes, superficial change..a handsome new face, a brilliant intellect, a warm, engaging, gracious smile and nature, and the ‘right words and thoughts’ to give the illusion they really care…but disabled Americans and most others see straight through the words to the real deeds and action…intensification of Orwellian deceit.. we have more unaffordable and meaningless health insurance options; including the ‘option’ of physician assisted suicide!
Posted by: skyblu5555 | July 25, 2009, 7:40 am 7:40 am
an addendum to above; we care so much we will take two years to process your claims only to deny payment; or throw your stuff out in the wastebasket and when you ask make you resubmit your claims and again wait until the ‘statute of limitations’ for your claims runs out..
and you immediately become destitute… disabled and homeless and without hope but death as a way out…this in ‘the greatest country in the world’…
Posted by: skyblu5555 | July 25, 2009, 7:43 am 7:43 am
“initiatives like the lifting on the ban on stem cell research..”
Wrong. There was never a ban on stem cell research. Private companies could do all the research they wanted- what Bush did was withhold Federal cash to pay for the research. Ergo, no ban.
To say there was a “ban” on stem cell research is fundamentally and totally dishonest.
Of course obama used this “ban” verbiage- think that speaks volumes about his “transparency”, don’t you?
Anyway, thought you people were interested in reporting facts- why this distortion?
Posted by: 2Brixshy | July 25, 2009, 9:27 am 9:27 am
Disabilities is important Tapper. Thanks for article.
Posted by: Davis | July 25, 2009, 9:34 am 9:34 am
The USA doesn’t need to sign anything from the UN.
Posted by: fsanders | July 25, 2009, 10:54 am 10:54 am
using the words “suffer with a disability” is considered inappropriate terminology among those with disabling conditions. one does not always suffer, just because one has limitations in life.
some activities a person with a disabling condition can not do are things people without limitations choose not to do, so the end result is equal.
in addition, a physical limitation does not necessarily interfere with the ability to pursue intellectual goals, and an intellectual limitation does not preclude a person from being an example of consideration and productivity in the areas they are capable in.
Posted by: mv | July 25, 2009, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
The current version of Obamacare would substantially reduce the number of disabled elderly, by denying hip and knee replacement surgery under Medicare on the basis of age. (This is true of both the House and Senate versions.) But he will not tell you that.
Posted by: Fructuoso Solano-Revuelta | July 25, 2009, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
Sorry, 2Brixshy. Your becoming anal retentive
with the term “banned stem research”.
For the past 8 yrs it was Bush who kept on
clamoring the”Ban stem research’ jargon, telling
everyone that it was dead in the water. Talk about
no transparency.
Posted by: spacerook1 | July 25, 2009, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
hickoryone, injured federal workers? Doing what
may I ask!
Posted by: spacerook1 | July 25, 2009, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
The current version of Obamacare would
substantially reduce the number of disabled
elderly, by denying hip and knee replacement
surgery under Medicare on the basis of age. (This
is true of both the House and Senate versions.) But
he will not tell you that.Posted by: Fructuoso
Solano-Revuelta**************
Hate to burst your little bubble but BCBS is
presently reviewing this because of the failures
that are occurring with present procedures and
prothesis. I know a woman who had 4 of these
extremely expensive replacements done so far
by different hospitals and doctors. People think
they can go back to their old routine with these
things, only to fracture them, or make things
worse.
Posted by: spacerook1 | July 25, 2009, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm