From the blog of the American Association of People with Disabilities:
A group of eight disability advocacy organizations this week pressed the incoming Obama administration for a greater voice in decision-making for people with disabilities as well as high-level appointments.
In a letter sent this week, the groups maintained that the incoming administration had not reached out to disability advocacy organizations in seeking appointees to the new administration. They asked for the inclusion of a “qualified person with a disability, who is an expert in disability policy,” to serve on the president’s domestic policy staff.
The groups criticized the incoming administration’s appointments to date, saying they “do not reflect a concerted effort” to include qualified candidates with disabilities in senior positions in the new administration.
“The participation of qualified people with disabilities in shaping policy is critical to the success of the programs and services that enhance our lives,” they said.
Among the signatories were the American Association of People with Disabilities and the Special Olympics.
The full text of the letter follows.
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