The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) sent all the major presidential candidates for 2008 a survey to find out who best represents the issues of concern to people with disabilities.

"We have only gotten responses from four candidates," says AAPD President and CEO Andrew Imparato. "From my perspective all four did a pretty good job. All answered thoughtfully. I didn't see any responses as hostile to our agenda or so vague that they are meaningless."

For more on issues concerning people with disabilities, see the October 2006 issue of DiversityInc magazine. Also, for companies that are good for employees with disabilities, see DiversityInc's 2007 Top 10 Companies for People With Disabilities.

The Questions

The AAPD, a national membership organization that works to increase the political and economic power of the more than 50 million children and adults living with disabilities in the United States, asked each candidate to answer questions relating to 11 topics that addressed the most important issues for people with disabilities. These included questions on political leadership, employment for people with disabilities, healthcare, long-term services, housing, transportation, education, technology and telecommunications, voting, civil rights and international human rights.

Click here to see the questions.

A letter explaining AAPD's purpose and the questionnaire were sent out April 5 and encouraged candidates to "respond to these questions with the intention of sharing candidates' answers not only to our own members but also beyond [AAPD] membership bases by posting the responses on [AAPD web sites]." Mariana Nork, senior vice president of communications for AAPD, told DiversityInc that the answers posted now on the AAPD web site have not been changed or edited at all by the AAPD.

The Respondents

Which candidate responded first to AAPD's survey, and what did they say? The AAPD says it has equally petitioned all of the candidates from both parties, but only the Democrats seem to have taken the questionnaire seriously. Four democratic candidates have responded, including Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Gov. Bill Richardson. None of the Republican candidates have replied in full, but Imparato tells DiversityInc that former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Tommy Thompson are "very close" to responding.

Is the AAPD being ignored by the candidates who have not yet responded? "We sent the question forms to every campaign. For all we know they could be working on it," says Imparato, who adds that the AAPD is particularly interested in hearing from the top-tier candidates. Sen. Obama was first to reply on June 1. Gov. Richardson replied on June 10, Edwards replied on June 12, and Sen. Clinton replied on July 3.

Who is the best candidate for people with disabilities? Based on the answers received so far, Imparato said all candidates sent thorough responses, but there were two candidates he felt were the most direct.

"Edwards and Obama are the best," says Imparato. "I liked Obama because he answered yes/no questions with 'yes.' He didn't equivocate. That is a good sign that he is not afraid of our issues and he is not afraid to make commitments. Edwards has been very thoughtful to health policies in general, even before he got our survey."

What Issues Matter Most?

The first question that the AAPD asked each candidate was whether he or she would support the creation of a position for and the appointment of a permanent assistant to the president for disability policy at the White House. Obama and Richardson both said yes.

Edwards did not commit to this appointment, but writes that he will "ensure that a senior member of the White House staff is dedicated to ensuring that these issues are brought to my personal attention and given top priority they deserve."

Clinton answered similarly. "I have not made any commitments about how I would organize the White House at this level, but I can assure you that needs and interests of persons with disabilities will be well represented in my Administration," she wrote.

Employment of people with disabilities was another key issue of concern. Each candidate that responded emphasized that people with disabilities should have equal employment opportunities made available to them and wrote that increasing the number of people with disabilities in federal services would set a positive example for the rest of the country.

(See also: The Best 4 Ways to Recruit Employees With Disabilities)

Universal healthcare was another hot topic. All respondents feel strongly that healthcare issues are a top priority for Americans of all abilities. "I will sign a universal healthcare plan into law by the end of my first term in office," says Obama.

Clinton says she will "enact legislation to provide high-quality affordable healthcare coverage for all Americans."

Richardson details his plan for universal healthcare to "ensure that all Americans--with or without disabilities--would have access to affordable, guaranteed coverage."

Edwards also supports universal healthcare. "We must start now to guarantee universal healthcare coverage for everyone in America," he wrote.

For the rest of the candidates' answers, click here.

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