Disability Rights
Protecting the rights and the dignity of people with disabilities is a critical priority
Today, adults with disabilities are more than twice as likely to live in poverty as those without a disability. Therefore, a top priority must be to ensure that people with disabilities are guaranteed economic security.
That means ending discriminatory and exploitative laws that allow corporations to pay subminimum wages to workers with disabilites. It also means working with our federal representatives to enhance and improve Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
We must also work to protect students with disabilities. When I was a 6th grade teacher, more than 10% of my students were students with disabilities. But it was clear our public school system did not have the resources needed to fully support them and to ensure they flourish and thrive.
In office, I would advocate for a massive infusion of financial resources to ensure students with disabilities get the educational supports they deserve.
I will also work to ensure that disability is not criminalized. Students with disabilities are far more likely to receive out-of-school suspensions, be arrested or referred to law enforcement, and be restrained or secluded. Adults with disabilities are more likely to interact with law enforcement.
And people of color with disabilities are at the greatest risk of all. I will work with the Arizona Department of Education and public safety officials to put in place policies that protect the safety of people with disabilities.
