For Immediate Release: January 25, 2022
Contact: Jess Davidson, jdavidson@aapd.com
Washington D.C. – Last week, members of Congress once again failed to pass critical voting rights legislation. Just after the nation celebrated the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Congress dishonored his work and memory, Representative John Lewis, and the many other leaders who gave their blood and their lives to secure civil rights for disabled, Black, and Brown Americans.
Record turnout among voters in the 2020 elections should have been met with celebration. Instead, some lawmakers and politicians introduced over 440 bills across the country to make it harder or impossible for many voters to vote, including voters with disabilities, voters of color, and disabled voters of color. Senators who did not vote in favor of voting rights legislation have chosen to allow the widespread discrimination against the most marginalized voters to continue.
The civil and disability rights communities have been fighting for voting rights for decades. As advocates continue to fight for a democracy that is accessible to all, we urge our allies to include the disability community from the start in crafting voting rights legislation to ensure that all aspects of the legislation increase and expand access to voters. The work of the REV UP Voting Campaign remains the same — we will continue to register people to vote and advocate for access to voting. And we will continue to use our power to organize and mobilize to get people to the polls in every election and ballot initiative — from city council to county commissioner, from school board to the Senate.
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The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the over 61 million Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation. To learn more, visit the AAPD Web site: www.aapd.com.