Bob Dole 1996 On the Issues
Where Bob
Dole Stands on Disabilities
Bob
Dole Has Been America's Foremost Advocate for the Disabled
Bob Dole spent over 39 months recovering from massive injuries that he received
while leading a platoon of the 10th Mountain Division in Italy during World War
II. As a result of those injuries, Bob Dole has limited use of his right arm --
which is why he often carries a pen -- letting folks know that his arm is 'in
use.'
From the moment he was injured, Bob Dole has fought for the rights of the
disabled. In his first speech on the Senate floor, Dole spoke of his vision for
people with disabilities - of independence, dignity and inclusion - and of his
own membership in the disabled community. In that speech, he said:
"Mr. President, my remarks today concern an
exceptional group which I joined on another April 14 - 24 years ago, during
World War II. It is a minority group whose existence effects every person in
our society and the very fiber of our nation . . . As a minority, it has always
known exclusion - maybe not exclusion from the front of the bus, but perhaps
from even climbing aboard it; maybe not exclusion from pursuing advanced
education, but perhaps from experiencing any formal education; maybe not
exclusion from day-to-day life itself, but perhaps from an adequate opportunity
to develop and contribute to his or her fullest capacity."
Creating Opportunity for the Disabled in
Education, Employment and Housing
D uring his years in the Senate, Bob Dole:
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Supported every major piece
of disability legislation before Congress. He has helped improve civil
rights, education, job training, employment, housing and vocational
training for the disabled.
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Played key roles in passing
the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the 1975 Developmental Disabilities
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, the 1986 Protection and Advocacy for the Mentally Ill Act,
the 1986 Air Carriers Access Act, the 1986 Education of the Deaf Act, the
1988 Technology Assistance Act and the 1990 Television Decoder Circuitry
Act.
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Led the critical negotiations
to ensure the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.
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Created the Dole Foundation,
the nation's only grant-making organization dedicated solely to creating
new employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
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Ensured the appointment of
the first disabled American to the President's Council on Physical
Fitness.
Bob Dole Will Continue to Ensure That
All Americans Are Treated Equally
Bob Dole will build on his record in the Senate to ensure that all
minority groups enjoy all the rights guaranteed to all American citizens.
As President he will:
Ensure that the Americans
with Disabilities Act is enforced.
End the bias in the Medicaid
program against home- and community-based services.
Push for greater school
choice for students with disabilities.
Convene a White House
Conference on employment of people with disabilities.
Create a special Presidential
award to recognize those employees and programs that are succeeding in
employing people with disabilities.
Help people with disabilities
afford high quality health care.
Look into new solutions to
solve the problem of poverty among people with disabilities.
A Better America
With Bob Dole as President, people with disabilities will enjoy the same
rights and privileges that all Americans enjoy.
Source:
Bob Dole 1996 Official Campaign Web Site
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