Washington, D.C. (January 29, 2014)— The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the largest disability rights organization, applauds Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rogers’ integration of the disability community into her State of the Union GOP response. AAPD is encouraged that McMorris Rogers shared her personal story of her son with Down syndrome and the importance of defining people based on their potential, not their limitations.
As the mother of a son with Down syndrome, McMorris Rogers knows firsthand the challenges that people with disabilities face such as in education, the workplace and health care. Currently, Americans with disabilities face an unemployment rate of 14.7 percent which is twice the unemployment rate for Americans without disabilities. McMorris Rogers understands that many have the same aspiration to work toward the American Dream.
AAPD is encouraged by McMorris Rogers’ vision of a growing economy and middle class open to anyone, including people with disabilities like her son, and encouraged by the consensus that a health care solution cannot discriminate based on a pre-existing condition. AAPD believes that including people with disabilities in the American workforce will only make a stronger economy and middle class.
AAPD looks to Congress and the Administration to work together to continue to support policies that promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities in the year to come.
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The American Association of People with Disabilities is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.