The Presidential Candidates speak out.

Each election year, EP invites the Presidential candidates to discuss their positions on issues that affect people with disabilities and their families. The platforms of Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush are presented below. The candidates' statements appear exactly as they were received from each party's offices. --The Editors

George W. Bush

I believe that all Americans should have the opportunity to learn and develop their skills, engage in productive work, choose where to live, and participate in community life. Too often, however, people with disabilities are trapped in bureaucracies of dependence and are denied the tools and access necessary for success. The result has been that too many Americans are shut out from the American dream. I know that parents of children with exceptional needs have exceptional demands on their time, energy, and their resources. And unfortunately, citizens with disabilities have met more obstacles than just their physical or mental challenges while trying to live in their community. We must do everything that we can to ensure that more Americans with disabilities can live independently, hold jobs, and take part in the life of their communities.

Today there are more than 7.5 million disabled Americans receiving benefits under federal disability programs. However, less than 1 percent of those receiving disability benefits enter the workforce. That is why I support federal legislation providing disabled Americans with the option to choose their own support services, including vocational education programs and rehabilitation services. In addition, I have proposed the New Freedom Initiative, an $880 million five-year plan that will help Americans with disabilities, young or old, have every chance to pursue the American dream.

The $880 million New Freedom Initiative encourages businesses to hire Americans with disabilities by taking three important steps. First, I will triple federal funding in assistive technology and dramatically improve access to it. Second, I will provide $20 million to help disabled Americans work from home and make the providing of a home office by a company a tax-free fringe benefit. Third, I am committed to signing an Executive Order to allow Americans with disabilities to maintain their health benefits when they return to work.

The federal government must fulfill its responsibilities to all of America's citizens. I believe that no child should be left behind, including those with disabilities. That is why I will work with Congress to increase funding for special education with the goal of meeting the federal obligation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Originally passed by Congress in 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, ensures that children with disabilities would have a free public education that would meet their unique needs. However, the federal government has not been providing sufficient funding for IDEA. Because the federal government has failed to provide its fair share of the responsibility, state and local governments have been needlessly strapped, and unfortunately care for our nation's disabled citizens has suffered as a consequence. This must stop. We live in an era of unmatched economic prosperity. But I have argued over these past many months, that our prosperity must have a higher purpose. The purpose of prosperity is to make sure the American dream touches every willing heart. The purpose of prosperity is to leave no one out--to leave no one behind.

In addition, I believe that it is equally important to emphasize preventive efforts to identify children with special needs. Early detection of needs will greatly benefit children by giving students the necessary help early. I will focus funding on students in the elementary grades, where math and reading difficulties can be corrected before children are diagnosed as needing special education services. States who choose to draw from the fund will be required to initiate: a reading diagnostic test for students in K-2 to determine where students need help, a research-based curriculum, training for K-2 teachers in reading preparation, and intervention for students who are not reading at grade level in K-2.

On June 22, 1999, the Supreme Court ruled in Olmstead v. L.C. that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that people with mental disabilities be placed in a community setting whenever possible. Unfortunately, Olmstead has yet to be implemented. If I am elected I vow to sign an Executive Order supporting the swift implementation of the Olmstead decision. I will support the most integrated community-based settings for individuals with disabilities possible and call for the identification and removal of barriers to community placement. I believe that community-based care is critically important to promoting maximum independence and to integrating individuals with disabilities into community life.

Access to health care is also important and should be a priority. I have supported legislation that extends Medicare coverage for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) beneficiaries so they can return to work without the fear of losing health benefits and expanded Medicaid eligibility categories for SSI recipients. Under this legislation I supported, SSDI beneficiaries can continue to receive benefits even after their income, resources, or medical condition improves. As President, I will aggressively implement these improvements for persons with disabilities.

For those families who choose to care for their loved ones at home, we need to support that decision in every way possible. Family caregivers have been called the "invisible health care sector." Not only do they supply billions of dollars in healthcare value; they give help that no one can put a price on--the compassion and comfort of family love. They deserve our support.

I am proud of our accomplishments on behalf of disabled citizens in Texas. As Governor, I worked with the Legislature to increase funding for community-based services by more than $1.7 billion, a 72 percent increase. I also promoted and signed legislation that created the Children's Health insurance Program providing access to health care for every child up to 200 per cent of the poverty level, including children with disabilities. I also appointed a number of disabled Texans to various positions and boards in Texas because they were the best men and women for the jobs.

I have traveled all over this great country and I have met a lot of wonderful people. But I know that people have suffered, from what I refer to as the "soft bigotry of low expectations." Unfortunately, this bigotry is evident in the hearts and minds, and on the faces of so many people. So our society and our government must make every effort to enable people with disabilities to lead independent and productive lives. It is not only what is right, but it is our duty to ensure that every American is empowered with the tools and resources necessary to, with hard work and dedication, live the American dream.

Al Gore

Although challenges are sometimes exacerbated by limited educational opportunities, inadequate facilities, and unfair discrimination, we have made progress in breaking down these obstacles, both legislatively and socially. Throughout Al Gore's time in public office, he has supported legislation that helps eliminate the barriers that people with disabilities confront. Gore supported and still supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and as Vice President, has worked hard to achieve the ADA's core goals--equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. America is now a dramatically different--and better--country because of the ADA. But there is still a lot of work to be done. As President, Al Gore will further these accomplishments, working to expand educational opportunities, improve access to quality healthcare, expand employment opportunities, and eliminate discrimination for all people with disabilities.

EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Every child should have equal access to education --including children with special needs. Al Gore has long supported the rights of children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As President, he will continue enforcement efforts and provide new resources to help communities educate children with special needs. Specifically, Al Gore's plan includes:

* The Largest Ever Increase In Special Education Funding and Expanded Funding Pools. In his first budget, Al Gore will propose the largest increase ever enacted under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and is committed to the goal of the Federal government contributing 40 percent of IDEA. This investment will strengthen the federal commitment to help states and school districts educate children with disabilities, while supporting other initiatives to help all students get the high-quality education they need and deserve. He also supports the establishment or expansion of state-managed funding pools to help cover the costs of educating the relatively few children with disabilities who require high-cost services to attend local public schools.

* Increase Funding For Parent Training and Information Centers. AS part of the effort to make special education more affordable and to make education in the least restrictive environment a reality for youth with disabilities, Al Gore will increase funding for Parent Training and Information Centers to $50 million--double the Administration's current budget request.

IMPROVING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Throughout his time as Vice President, Al Gore has been committed to improving America's health care system. Gore knows how expensive health coverage can be, especially for families with a child who has a disability. As President, he will continue to fight for a more accessible and fair healthcare system, one that will include all America's children. He will begin by:

* Providing a long overdue prescription drug benefit that is available and affordable for all medicare beneficiaries. Al Gore has proposed a prescription drug benefit that covers half of all prescriptions from the first trip to the pharmacy up to $5,000 per year in prescription drug costs. It also contains catastrophic protections to ensure that no beneficiary has to pay more than $4,000 per year out of pocket. Finally, it covers cost-sharing for low-income beneficiaries. Al Gore does not support the Republican proposals administered by the private insurance industry, which will discriminate against sick beneficiaries with high health care needs. Also, Al Gore does not support a low-income only benefit that would leave behind a person with a disability who earns more than $20,000.

* Enacting a $3,000 long-term care tax credit For Caregivers. Al Gore believes that we must make long-term care more affordable and that we must start by giving Americans with long-term care needs or their caregivers a $3,000 tax credit to defray the cost of long-term care costs.

* Passing a strong, enforceable Patient's Bill of Rights. Al Gore supports a strong enforceable patient's bill of rights that ensures all patients in all health plans adequate protections, such as access to specialists, access to emergency room care when and where the need arises, and access to appeals process for patients and doctors who disagree with decisions made by health plans.

* Assuring full mental health parity for children. Approximately one in five children experience symptoms of a mental health disorder during the course of a year. However, 70 percent of those who need treatment do not receive mental health services. Left untreated, a child's mental illness can lead to poor performance in school, substance abuse, delinquent behavior, violence and suicide --one of the leading causes of death for young people. Al Gore's Administration will ensure that every child has access to full mental health coverage. It will require insurers to offer full mental health parity for children, including equitable cost-sharing and treatment for all services. And as coverage to every child in America is expanded, through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), disparities in treatment for physical and mental illness for all children will be eliminated.

* Assuring no parent is forced to choose between custody and needed mental health services. Studies by the Bazelon Center show that some parents have given up their children to child welfare services to make sure they receive mental health services they need. In addition to assuring full mental health parity for children, the Gore Administration will examine other barriers that prevent children from receiving mental health services and work to assure that no parent has to give up their child to get mental health treatment.

* Investing in community mental health services while holding programs accountable. As Vice President, Al Gore fought for historic increases in community mental health care. As President, Al Gore will continue to invest in record increases to expand the availability of community mental health services. These programs will be required to use quality, evidence-based treatment.

EXPANDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Approximately 30 million working-age adults with disabilities live in the United States. About 75 percent of people with significant disabilities are unemployed or underemployed. Studies show that 80 percent of people with disabilities would work if they were able to do so without losing their healthcare. To address these issues, Al Gore proposed to launch a Disability-to-Work Initiative, involving the private and public sectors in a major national effort to increase employment of people with disabilities. The Disability-to-Work Initiative will:

* Challenge the private sector to increase hiring of people with disabilities. Al Gore will launch a partnership including businesses and non-profits to help move people with disabilities into work, provide them with the skills and assistive technology they need to enter into the workforce, and share best practices.

* Prepare youth with disabilities for work. Al Gore will work with non-profit technology resource centers and businesses to provide students the assistive technology they need to be prepared for the workforce. Gore will challenge businesses to provide meaningful job opportunities for youth with disabilities, so that when they graduate from high school they can enter the workforce or continue on to higher education. Gore also will work to ensure that school-to-work transition services target youth with disabilities.

* Ensure that the federal government does its fair share in moving people with disabilities into work. Al Gore proposed to double the federal government's hiring of people with disabilities and double the number of youth with disabilities in government internships. He also will work to ensure that the federal government's technology is accessible to people with disabilities and encourage the private sector to develop accessible technology.

* Enact a $1,000 tax credit for work-related expenses. Al Gore believes that we must make it easier for people with disabilities to succeed in the workplace--and participate in and contribute to the American dream. He supports a tax credit to help individuals defray work-related costs such as transportation and personal assistance.

* Double the administration's proposed investment in accessible technology. Technology is a crucial component in enabling people with disabilities to work. Al Gore proposes to double the Administration's investment in the development of assistive and communications technologies to help people with disabilities work. Funds will support new and expanded state loan programs to make assistive technology more affordable for Americans with disabilities. Though Congress cut funding to less than $10 million, Al Gore will fight to increase such investments--doubling the Administration's current budget request of $35 million per year to $70 million per year in his budget.

ELIMINATING DISCRIMINATION THROUGH TOUGH ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS

Our first step towards improved civil rights is enforcing the laws we already have. Al Gore is committed to full implementation and enforcement of the laws protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. He proposes to:

* Toughen enforcement of ADA, IDEA and Fair Housing Act. His Administration will aggressively enforce civil rights laws protecting people with disabilities. One of his top priorities will be to increase funding for all government agencies that enforce these civil rights laws. In particular, as President, he proposes to increase the funding for the US Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights by $50 million over ten years.

* Strengthen the Hate Crimes Law to include disability. Al Gore will continue to fight for federal hate crimes legislation to protect victims who are targeted simply because of who they are. Al Gore pledges to work with the Congress to pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which will expand the definition of hate crimes to include disability and allow for the prosecution of these crimes under federal law.

ENABLING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES

Al Gore believes that no individual should have to live in an institution such as a nursing home or hospital if he or she can live in the community with the right support. He supported the recent Supreme Court (Olmstead v. L.C.) ruling that unjustified isolation of institutionalized people violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirement to provide services in an integrated setting. Al Gore's plan will:

* Ensure that people with disabilities live in the most appropriate integrated settings. As President, he will work with states, people with disabilities and senior citizen advocates to develop comprehensive plans for enabling persons with disabilities to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. He proposes funds for a variety of activities that will ensure individuals have a choice in where they live, whether in their own home or the community.

* Establish the Fund for Independence, which will maximize resources to develop home and community-based services. As President, Al Gore will establish a public-private partnership to help increase the availability and quality of personal assistance and support for people with disabilities who wish to live at home and in their own communities, and those who wish to join the work force. People with disabilities may need a personal assistant at home, work or school; accessible transportation to work and school; and other supports to live independently. The Fund will include representatives from federal and state governments, foundations, unions and communities that support innovative community efforts to provide appropriate services, and will work to identify best practices for providing personal assistance services and supports.

* Enable states to expand home- and community-based care. Medicaid has historically had an institutional bias by reimbursing for nursing home care at a higher level than care provided at home and in the community. Al Gore has proposed allowing states to expand reimbursement by Medicaid for home- and community-based care to the same income levels as for nursing homes, without receiving a federal waiver.

* Increase funding for Independent Living Centers to $75 million. Independent Living Centers (ILCs) are often the single source for independent living resources for people with disabilities. ILCs offer personal assistance services and supports--such as personal attendants and transportation--necessary for people to live independently. As President, Al Gore will continue to fight for additional funding to enable the ILCs to carry out their critical mission and help people live independently. Al Gore proposes that his first budget will include $75 million per year for ILCs (the current Administration budget requests $40 million per year).

* Increase collaboration around housing issues. Al Gore will fight to address the housing crisis facing individuals with disabilities and their families. He will ensure that HUD collaborates with the disability community, public housing authorities and other interested parties to address housing issues for people with disabilities. He will work to expand home ownership programs for people with disabilities and their families.

These initiatives are the first steps towards equal opportunity for all Americans. Throughout Al Gore's time in public service and throughout his life, he has been committed to helping people with disabilities and their families fight discrimination. There is still a lot of work to be done.