The disability community goes into the 2008 election with several well-organized efforts to determine and disseminate candidates' positions on issues important to this diverse, yet unified constituency. Under the banner of Feel the Power of the Disability Vote, the community plans to build on its record of success.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) amendments passed in late July, restoring many court decisions that had weakened the world's first comprehensive civil rights legislation for people with disabilities (PwD). Last session, Congress passed the Money Follows the Person Act that provides pilot grants for 15 states to move PwD out of nursing homes and other institutions, and into the community, with the Medicaid program paying for the supports needed to live independently. The previous session of Congress was the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvements Act, which will improve opportunities and remove barriers that keep PwD unemployed.

The first step was to identify the top issues of each faction: persons with neuromuscular and orthopedic conditions affecting mobility; the mentally ill; people with blindness and deafness; and those with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation and autism. Not surprisingly, leaders of these constituencies came to quick agreement on the top priorities.

With the disability agenda in hand, questionnaires have been hand delivered to candidates for president and Congress. This way the community will know a member's position on the top priority of all constituencies in the disability community, the Community Choice Act (CCA), so resources could be deployed to members who could get the CCA passed. Questions were also asked about the long-stalled reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act and other issues that will find their way onto the radar next January. Return rates on these questionnaires are around 90%.

Finally, the disability community has developed and deployed an aggressive (and recent reports indicate successful) voter registration drive and will, over the next few weeks, conduct a no-holds-barred, get-out-the-vote campaign. Hundreds of thousands of PwD, many first-time voters, will go to the polls armed with the results of these candidates' questionnaires.

As reported previously, the presidential forum on disability issues was held in Columbus, Ohio, on July 26. More than 1,000 advocates, parents, and service providers attended. An estimated 25,000 watched a live Web cast, and the Web cast is available for replay on several Web sites and blogs.

Republican nominee John McCain appeared via satellite feed from Arizona. Although he was allowed 20 minutes to speak, he instead made a brief statement of thanks and took a few questions from forum moderator Judy Woodruff. McCain expressed his opposition to the CCA due to CBO's cost estimates. He hedged his bets on the ADA Amendments Act by saying he would look into whether the bill was entirely necessary, but did add his name as a cosponsor after the event.

Democratic nominee Barack Obama was in Europe. However, he sent Sen Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), the original sponsor of the ADA, and a Senate sponsor or cosponsor of just about every major piece of disability-related legislation since 1988. In a 20-minute stem-winder of a campaign trail speech, Harkin reminded the group that Obama was a cosponsor of the ADA Amendments Act, CCA, and the bill to reauthorize the Rehab Act.

When questioned by Woodruff, Harkin replied, "Let me assure everyone in this room and watching around the country that Barack Obama gets it. He sees people with disabilities as part of the fabric that makes this country strong. They will no longer be an afterthought, but a consideration of everything his administration does. He understands that moving people from nursing homes and institutions into the community enriches the lives of the community, and the people with disabilities who move there."

Obama has issued a 19-page position paper on disability issues that includes just about every hot button issue. In the paper is a quote from Sen Obama that sums up his attitude: "I cannot accept that the American dream should be out of reach for any person regardless of disability."

While both campaigns have disability outreach staff, McCain has not yet published a paper on disability issues. A formal poll of likely voters with disabilities will be conducted in October. The lone question is by how wide a margin Obama will be favored.

Cara C. Bachenheimer, JD, is senior VP of government relations for Invacare Corp. David T. Williams is a senior consultant on political and legislative affairs with Partners in Public Policy Inc.