Candidates, take time to address those with disabilities | Opinion

Paul Aronsohn

Dear Democratic Presidential Candidates,

Your first debates were a milestone – an important step in the effort to put our country back on track and moving forward again. The conversation was serious and thoughtful. The tone was largely respectful. And the underlying message of unity and inclusion was powerful.

You spoke to issues front and center in our lives – healthcare, jobs, social justice, immigration, the environment and the scourge of gun violence. And you spoke to issues that directly pertain to women, African-Americans, Latinos, LGBTQ people and the “working class” – connecting with many of us in a meaningful way and underscoring your ability to genuinely “feel our pain”.

Former Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn meets with resident Tareem Gary as Aronsohn toured one of the group homes at the Eastern Christian Children's Retreat. Aronsohn was appointed by Gov Murphy as the state's first Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families. Here on a tour of the Eastern Christian Children's Retreat, a non-profit agency caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities he meets with a resident and Laura Lupica, in charge of recreational aides at the facility.

Unfortunately, you missed an opportunity to talk about one particular group that too often gets overlooked and taken for granted: Americans with disabilities. In fact, in all 4 hours of debate, the word “disability” was not mentioned even once.

Granted, people with disabilities – like other people -- care about and are affected by all the issues discussed on that debate stage. Everyone benefits from a strong national defense, for example. But unlike the others, people with disabilities were not singled out in a way that demonstrated your sensitivity and understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities faced by them.

In the United States, there are an estimated 61 million adults with disabilities. Some have life-span intellectual or developmental disabilities. Some have physical or mental challenges as a result of an accident or medical condition. Many are veterans and first responders, who have suffered disabilities as a result of their service to our country.

In my state alone, New Jersey, there are an estimated 1.8 million adults with disabilities. That does not even include the estimated 1 in 34 children with autism or thousands more with other types of disabilities. They and their families live in every community in every part of our state.

Yet, not a word was spoken during the debates about their needs as people with disabilities or your plans to serve them. Not a single word.

Going forward, we need more from you. In future debates, we need you to look into the camera and speak directly to the millions of Americans with disabilities and their families. Show us you understand. Convince us you care. Tell us your plan to make sure we get the services and supports we need and deserve.

Paul Aronsohn was appointed by Gov Murphy as the state's first Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families. Here on a tour of the Eastern Christian Children's Retreat, a non-profit agency caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities he meets with a resident and Laura Lupica, in charge of recreational aides at the facility.

More generally, we need you to make people with disabilities a focus of your campaign. That means visits with individuals and families. That means position papers and policy addresses. That means treating them like all of the other groups of Americans who deserve an elevated level of commitment due, in part, to a history of neglect or discrimination.

Ultimately, America’s disability community needs and deserves a champion in the White House – someone who speaks to our issues and makes us a priority.

We need someone who understands the practical imperative – that people with disabilities have special needs as well as special gifts and given the appropriate supports, contribute much to the life of our country. We need someone who also understands the moral imperative – that serving people with disabilities is simply the right thing to do.

My hope is that one of you will be that President.

Paul Aronsohn is NJ’s Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families. All 3 of his siblings have had a mix of disabilities and healthcare challenges.