By Kim Dority

According to the U.N., 650 million people -or 10 percent of the world's population - live with disabilities, a number that designates people with disabilities as the world's largest minority. With the 2008 election season ramping up in the United States, this often-ignored constituency deserves to be addressed and heard. To aide in this effort, Disaboom, the largest online community for people living with or touched by disabilities, is encouraging presidential candidates to post their official profile, biography, position statements, record on disability issues, and blogs on its site to promote open political dialog with the diverse community of people living with and affected by disabilities. The site, which also allows visitors to ask questions of the candidates, currently has one participant, Barack Obama; his profile can be found at http://www.disaboom.com/BarackObama/.

According to a March CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll, the top issues for the 2008 election are the economy, war in Iraq and health care. Although these issues affect everyone, people with disabilities have a long list of additional concerns that involve both immediate and long-term impacts. Ranging from a national healthcare crisis to issues that affect the well-being of families affected by disabilities, the following topics are among those most critical to millions of Americans.

Healthcare

Healthcare is a top-of-mind topic for all Americans. However, this population is often overlooked when discussing health issues and it's getting worse. The fact is that government-funded healthcare programs do not cover the high cost of care for those with disabilities. In addition, due to their previous health conditions the majority of those with disabilities are unable to buy private health care insurance. A 2003 national survey by National Center for Health Statistics found that 46% of non-elderly adults with disabilities go without equipment and other items due to cost. Additionally, 37% postpone health care, and 36% skip doses or split pills due to medication costs. Finally, the lack of accessibility of most doctors' offices means that patients are often unable to receive full physicals because of an inability to get onto examining tables. For more information on the issue of healthcare for people with disabilities, log onto disaboom.com.

High Unemployment Rate

According to US Department of Labor, only 56% of people with a disability are employed while the employment rate for those without a disability at 88%. The average household income for those with disabilities is $36,000 compared to more than $65,000 for those without disabilities. Many people with disabilities struggle to find employment, despite research indicating that people with disabilities are often more reliable, have a lower turnover rate and are more productive than employees without a disability. Recent studies also indicate the lack of widespread knowledge of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, including tax credits. Please visit disaboom.com to see Obama's plans to launch an aggressive effort to increase education on this topic.

Community Choice in Housing

On June 24, 1997, then Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich introduced the MiCASA bill to the cheers of millions of Americans living with disabilities. The legislation-lobbied for by a consortium of disability rights groups-was intended to eliminate the institutional bias that made it difficult for individuals to use their Medicaid payments for community-based attendant care instead of nursing homes. Despite bipartisan support, the bill never made it to a vote. Today there are over 53,000 individuals with developmental disabilities on waiting lists for community-based care, while the Community Choice Act, now co-sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL), is still waiting to be prioritized.

K-12Education

Another top priority is the funding of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). The act governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to the more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. According to New American Foundation, if IDEA was fully funded the federal government would provide 40% of the estimated excess cost, of educating children with disabilities. The excess cost is the amount above what is spent on the average child without a disability. However according to the foundation, in the fiscal year 2006 IDEA only covered 17.7% of this cost; a decrease from 18.5% the year before. If IDEA was fully funded in 2006, the federal government would have distributed $23.85 billion to cover education expenses for children with disabilities, $13.28 billion more than appropriated.

Higher Education

Unfortunately, people with disabilities have disproportionately lower education levels than those without disabilities. According to US Census Bureau, only 33% of individuals with non-severe disabilities and 22% with severe disabilities have a bachelor's degree, compared to 43% of those without disabilities. The main barriers to achieving a higher education include: transportation to and access within campuses, access to appropriate and necessary learning technologies, and financial requirements. Visit Barack Obama's Disaboom profile to learn how he plans to make college more affordable for people with disabilities.

Veterans' Issues

Veterans' issues include access to quality medical care; financial assistance for retrofitting existing homes to accommodate newly disabled vets; vocational rehabilitation and employment support, which includes training; financial support for education, training, and small business start-ups; and accelerating the process for granting "100% disabled" status. Currently, veterans who are determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be rated at 100% disability have to go through a second evaluation often resulting in delayed compensation.

Accessible Transportation

Millions of individuals with disabilities are prevented from working, socializing, or enjoying other normal everyday activities due to a lack of accessible transportation. A study conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics in 2002 found that six million people with disabilities still have difficulty obtaining the transportation they need. Approximately 40% of the disability population lives in rural areas where public transportation is unavailable. Capitol Hill can change this; log onto disaboom.comto join community groups and to get involved in making this and these others issues a high priority this election year.

By reaching out to the disability community through Disaboom, all political candidates will have an opportunity to interact directly with the community about important issues that are most important, as well as present policies and position statements.. To see Obama's stance on issues relating to people with disabilities, visit http://www.disaboom.com/BarackObama/ and watch for other candidates to join as well.