Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump

Last night, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump faced one another in the last official debate of the 2016 election. Now, it is up to the American people to decide who will become our next president, including the 34.6 million people with disabilities that are eligible to vote. When we include our families alongside voters with disabilities, that number rises to 62.7 million eligible voters, nearly one fourth of the total electorate (Rutgers University).

As people with disabilities, we want to live independent lives and contribute our talent and energy to the future success of our great nation. The 56 million Americans with disabilities make remarkable and valuable contributions to our communities. Despite these contributions and despite our numbers, Americans with disabilities continue to face discrimination in many arenas including employment, housing, transportation, health care, and education.

To benefit from the skills and abilities of people with disabilities, candidates for public office must address these disparities and set forth a vision to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities and our full inclusion in society.

In an effort to inform the disability community of the disability policy positions, initiatives, and priorities, of each presidential candidate, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) developed a presidential candidate questionnaire. The issues addressed in this questionnaire are vital to ensuring all individuals with disabilities have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

To date, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have completed the REV UP Presidential Candidate Questionnaire. You can read each of the candidate’s individual responses here:

Hillary Clinton – REV UP Presidential Candidate Questionnaire Response

Donald Trump – REV UP Presidential Candidate Questionnaire Response

To accommodate people with various types of disabilities, we have posted the full, unedited answers from each candidate along with “main points” for each response to make the language used more accessible. This accommodation does not and should not be interpreted to “(a) favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates.”

Clinton and Trump Responses to the REV UP Presidential Candidate Questionnaire

1. LEADERSHIP

Will you commit to creating a National Office of Disability Coordination to be headed by a cabinet level executive?
What are you doing to make sure qualified people with disabilities will be a part of your political team and, if elected, as part of your administration?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

One of my priorities as president, as it has been throughout my career, will be to ensure that all individuals living with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else in our society. If elected, I will work to ensure that all federal programs provide equal access to the services they provide. I will direct my administration to explore ways to improve programs and create systemic change, including the possible creation of a National Office of Disability Coordination. As we head into the 26th year of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we have an important and honorable responsibility to uphold these rights and set an example for the rest of the world. That is why we made it a priority to feature disability issues and individuals people with disabilities in my campaign’s policy statements and at the Democratic National Convention.

I have been fully committed to partnering with leaders of the disability community throughout my career, and I have appreciated their counsel throughout this election. I am proud to have some of the top leaders of this community as part of my team. Having individuals with disabilities advising me is an important part of making sure that I am including diverse voices and perspectives in all areas of my work. Including these voices is not only important in this election, but will absolutely be the case in my administration if I am elected.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton will consider the creation of a National Office of Disability Coordination.
Clinton pledges to include people with disabilities in her administration to benefit from diverse perspectives.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

My administration is committed to a comprehensive review of all programs related to people with disabilities with the mandate to modernize, streamline and disentangle the current bureaucratic labyrinth with programs strewn across multiple departments, agencies and offices with little or no coordination. We will consider the possible creation of a National Office of Disability Coordination. As for making sure qualified people with disabilities will be part of my administration, I will charge all department and agency heads with making sure that the best qualified people get assigned to the Executive Branch, including people with disabilities. We are a society based on merit and the American people deserve we recruit the very best people from all talent pools including people with disabilities. I will make certain the best possible people are advising me.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump will consider the creation of a National Office of Disability Coordination.
Trump pledges to include people with disabilities in his administration as a part of push to assign qualified people to the executive branch.

2. REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT AND ENSURING EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE

A. Rehabilitation Act

What will you do to strengthen Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act and ensure the Federal government is a model employer of people with disabilities?
How will you ensure the provisions under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act will be fully enforced by the Department of Labor and that Federal contractors will meet their affirmative action obligations under the law?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

I appreciate the work that Commissioner Chai Feldblum of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has undertaken to advance regulations for Section 501, and the EEOC’s dedication to receiving input from the disability community. It is important that the federal government set an example of the importance and value of hiring individuals with disabilities, and I will work to ensure that the final regulations under Section 501 are enforced.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has taken tremendous steps in recent years to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in federal programs, and I will build on these efforts as president, including Section 503 enforcement. With close to 20 percent of Americans living with disabilities, we must take the necessary steps to help increase employment opportunities. I have spoken out about the issue of building an inclusive economy, including for people with disabilities, in this campaign, and I am committed to doing so as president.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to enforce the final regulations under Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Clinton expands on her commitment to also include enforcement of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

This nation has suffered enough with Presidents who think that they can act in an imperial manner and unilaterally write rules or ignore those that affect millions. It is important that the final regulations under Section 501 are enforced. We will then do all we can to make sure that the agenda outlined and agreed upon gets implemented. My administration will work with Congress to set an example of the importance and value of hiring individuals with disabilities. A Trump Administration will follow the law.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to enforce the final regulations under Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Trump does not mention Section 503

B. Fair Wages

Do you plan to phase out the 1937 Section 14c of the Fair Labor Standards Act?
How will you expand supported employment services to people with disabilities?
How do you plan to build an infrastructure to address the underemployment and wage gaps experienced by people with disabilities?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

Employment of people with disabilities is an incredibly challenging and important issue. We must examine all of the contributing factors to the high levels of unemployment including access to education, outdated federal policies, disincentives in our federal policies and legislation, lack of access to adequate transportation, and inadequate funding. People with disabilities are an essential part of our workforce, and it is important to analyze and remove all of the barriers to ensuring them equal access, so that we can all benefit from their contributions. We made a promise to Americans when we passed the ADA, and I intend to keep that promise by changing the landscape of employment for people with disabilities.

As president, I will work to increase employment opportunities for all individuals with disabilities, and recently outlined some of the ways in which I hope to do so in a major speech on building an inclusive economy. I will also push for passage of the bipartisan Transition to Independence Act.

People with disabilities have the same right to work at a job that pays them minimum wage or more, in a place where they will interact with non-disabled individuals, and with the same opportunities for promotion as workers without disabilities. Among my administration’s highest priorities will be to eliminate the sub-minimum wage, increase access to competitive integrated employment, and ensure that a fair day’s work earns a fair day’s pay for all Americans.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton explicitly states that she will end sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities.
With regard to expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities, Clinton references her speech in Orlando, FL where she outlined her plan.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

In a free market economic system, labor is as much a commodity as any other good or service. People in the workforce respond to the incentives that lead them to leave the workforce or remain a part of it. People with disabilities have the right to be paid on parity with all others in the work force so they may earn a fair days wage for a fair day’s work. My administration will work with Congress to ensure that labor laws treat people with disabilities fairly.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump commits to a “fair days wage for a fair day’s work” but does not explicitly state he will end sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities.
Trump does not mention expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

C. Entrepreneurship

How do you plan to ensure that people with disabilities can open and sustain small businesses?
How do you plan to include business-owners with disabilities in the competitions to obtain government contracts?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

We must make it easier to start and grow a small business in America, and ensure we level the playing field for America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs with disabilities. Through a career spent working with people with disabilities, I have seen firsthand the incredible diversity, talent, and expertise Americans with disabilities bring to our economy. We need to give small businesses—including small businesses owned by people with disabilities—access to the financing they need to build, grow, and hire.

As president, I will work to boost small-business lending by easing burdens for community banks and credit unions. My administration will expand the health care tax credit for small employers with up to 50 employees through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and will simplify complex phase-out and eligibility rules so that it’s easier for many more small businesses to get the credit and cover their workers as well as themselves. I will give small businesses recourse to take on predatory behavior from big businesses and ensure the federal government has the resources to be more responsive to small businesses.

I will also work with the disability community to ensure that opportunities for government contracts are inclusive and available to business owners with disabilities. It is essential that we include a variety of diverse business owners in the work that the federal government does.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to boost small-business lending, health care tax credits, and protection from big businesses to support the growth and development of small businesses.
Clinton pledges to working with the disability community to ensure that government contracts are available to business owners with disabilities.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

It is stunning that after seven years of Obama and Clinton that people with disabilities are no better off today than they were 8 years ago.

Our government acquisition system is structured in such a way as to provide access to government contracts for minority and woman-owned businesses. This system should be reviewed and reformed, if necessary. My administration will seek to create opportunities for all Americans, including Americans with disabilities, on an equal basis without discrimination.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to reviewing the system of government contracts and considering reform to better serve people with disabilities.

D. Transition for Youth with Disabilities

How do you plan to engage youth with disabilities in pre-employment opportunities that will lead to successful transitions from school to work and/or higher education?
How would you reform the public workforce system to ensure people with disabilities, especially youth with disabilities, are fully integrated into the economic development of regional economies?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

As president, I will work so that the federal government is doing all we can to support the children, youth, and adults living with disabilities–and their families. I will continue to bolster educational opportunities for all students, to ensure successful transitions from school to work or higher education.

My first job out of law school was with the Children’s Defense Fund. I went door-to-door in New Bedford, Massachusetts to gather testimonials about why children with disabilities were out of school. I will make high-quality education a priority for every child in America by building on the bi-partisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and work so that cost is no longer a barrier to higher education.

People with disabilities bring incredible value to their communities, and I will fight for integrative regional economies to the benefit of all Americans. My administration will protect and expand funding for states and local communities to develop effective programs to help people with disabilities work, create partnerships with employers, and provide incentives for employers.

I will continue to work so that in every community, children with disabilities are being provided with the educational supports and opportunities they need to successfully transition from students to active participants in the regional economy.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to expand on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to reduce barriers to higher education.
Clinton pledges to protect and expand funding for programs that connect young people with disabilities to employers.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

Dealing with the challenges of employing and training young people with disabilities will require my administration to work with Congress; I would support legislation concerning those goals. My administration will work with Congress to establish national priorities that will reflect the will of the people.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to work with Congress.

E. Ensuring Appropriate Flexibility in Public Programs to Support People with Disabilities in the Workforce

With 4.6 million people with disabilities on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and 8.9 million people on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), how would your administration reform these federal income support programs so people with disabilities can receive income supports without being required to preclude working so they can secure employment or return to employment sooner?
Medicaid eligibility and programmatic requirements now create barriers for individuals with disabilities seeking to enter or return to the workplace because they cannot access needed supports such as personal care attendants, power wheelchairs, complex rehab technology, other rehabilitation devices and services, home and community based services, medical supplies and therapies. Do you support initiatives that would allow workers with disabilities to continue to work past age 65, maintain eligibility from state to state, and carry their Medicaid benefits into private employment settings? How would you work with the private sector to address the critical independent living supports that many private insurance programs do not cover for people with disabilities?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

As president, I will build on the constructive proposals that President Obama has put forward to provide individuals with disabilities the support they need — while enabling them to work to the best of their capabilities. His initiatives include demonstration grants that can spur new approaches to early intervention and improving the employment picture for people with disabilities whether they be services for job-seekers, funds for states developing effective programs to help people with disabilities work, or partnerships with and incentives for employers.

I will work with people with disabilities and their advocates to expand on these proposals. We must ensure that Americans with disabilities who want to work receive the support they need to do so. Such initiatives will be aligned with my broader plan to preserve and strengthen Social Security and Medicare for today and for future generations.

Across the country, 3 million Americans have been left without coverage due to their state’s failure to expand Medicaid. I will work with governors to ensure these individuals are able to get the care they need. The Medicaid program has evolved and supports members of the disability community throughout their lives. I will protect Medicaid as I have vigorously done throughout my time in public service, and I will be interested in examining thoughtful approaches to providing quality, community-based services.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to continue existing demonstration grants that support new approaches to early intervention, services for job seekers, funding for state programming, and partnerships with employers.
Clinton pledges to preserve and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.
Clinton pledges to protect and expand Medicaid.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

No federal government program should discourage anyone from working. Many programs must be streamlined and improved to establish national priorities that meet the needs and demands of all Americans. The doubling of the national debt from $10 trillion to $20 trillion in just the last 8 years means we will need to keep a close eye on expanding government spending. However, by eliminating ineffective programs and untangling the labyrinth of programs serving people with disabilities, we can deliver improved outcomes without necessarily increasing spending. I will seriously weigh the merits of any legislation on this issue that Congress would send to me if I were fortunate enough to be elected President.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump commits to ‘untangle’ programs that serve people with disabilities and cut ineffective programs.

3. ADVANCING THE CIVIL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES TO BE INTEGRATED IN SOCIETY

If elected, will you support the Disability Integration Act (currently S.2427/HR.5689) – bipartisan civil rights legislation that establishes in statute the right of Americans with LTSS disabilities to receive services and supports in the community and be integrated in society – and sign this or similar civil rights legislation into law?
What other investments will you make in expanding long-term services and supports?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

I am proud to support efforts like the Disability Integration Act that will help shift more resources to providing home and community-based care for those who choose it. As an original sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) in 2008, I understand the importance of ensuring equal access for people with disabilities. I will continue to work with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to ensure the ADA is being upheld, and that states are complying with Olmstead’s mandate to provide community options for individuals with disabilities. I will work with the Department of Labor (DOL) to ensure that we are issuing policies that advance competitive integrated employment so that individuals have jobs that help them live full, quality lives in the community.

I will also launch the Autism Works Initiative to help connect Americans who are living with autism with employment opportunities. I look forward to continuing the tremendous work of the Administration for Community Living, formed over 4 years ago as part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), that has made significant progress in policies that support individuals and their access to quality long term services and supports.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton expresses her support for the Disability Integration Act.
Clinton pledges to work with the Department of Justice to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as the Olmstead Act.
Clinton pledges to launch the Autism Works Initiative to help connect Americans who are living with autism with employment opportunities.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

This is another example of inflexible federal regulations that waste money and fail to deliver the services needed. My administration will work with Congress and agencies to eliminate unneeded regulations to improve the services the government provides individuals with disabilities. I will consider all legislation that accomplishes that goal.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump commits to work with congress and eliminate ‘unneeded’ regulations.
Trump does not address whether or not he supports the Disability Integration Act.
Trump does not address whether or not he would work to expand long-term services and supports.

4. TRANSPORTATION

A. Public Transportation

What would you do to expand access to affordable and accessible transportation for people with disabilities, especially in rural areas?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

I have put forth a robust, five-year $275 billion infrastructure plan that will ensure that individuals across the country, including those with disabilities, have access to affordable, public transportation that will connect them with jobs and opportunities. A lack of reliable and efficient public and other transportation options can create barriers for individuals attempting to build better lives. That is why my plan calls for prioritizing and increasing investments in public transit that will improve the quality of life for all our communities – rural and urban – as well as encouraging local governments to work directly with low-income and minority communities to ensure that federal investments are creating transit options that connect the unemployed to the jobs and services they need.

The ADA was a tremendous step forward in expanding transportation options for persons with disabilities, and the ADAA, moved the ADA one step forward by, among other things, making it easier for individuals with disabilities to benefit from the protections of this landmark law. As president, I will build on these rights.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton has put forth a five-year $275 billion infrastructure plan that will access to affordable, public transportation.
Clinton pledges to encourage local governments to work directly with low-income and minority communities to ensure federal investments meet their transportation needs.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

This is a critical question that must be dealt with by the federal government. We should integrate into our investments in infrastructure and transportation assets policies to provide to the extent possible services required by people with disabilities.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to provide services required by people with disabilities ‘to the extent possible.’

B. Transportation Networking Companies

What would your Administration do to ensure all people with disabilities have access to the services provided by TNC’s?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

I believe that Americans with disabilities should have access to the necessary services to the same extent as other Americans do. As our economy evolves, I will look carefully at this issue to ensure that we are protecting the rights of people with disabilities, and I will work to ensure that the appropriate laws are being enforced so that we are providing access to the fullest extent possible.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to protect the rights of people with disabilities, enforce existing laws, and ensure access ‘to the fullest extent possible.’

Mr. Trump’s Response:

TNCs operate on licenses issued at the local level. Should Congress addresses this issue, I will consider the legislation from the perspective of meeting the needs and respecting the rights of individuals with disabilities when it reaches my desk.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to consider legislation put forth by Congress.

C. Autonomous Vehicles

What will your Administration do to ensure people with disabilities are not left at the side of the road but realize the maximum benefits possible as self-driving technology continues to develop and advance and regulations get promulgated?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

The development of automobile technology is exciting and offers great opportunities for better access to transportation for people with disabilities. As president, I will encourage the Department of Transportation (DOT) to continue Secretary Foxx’s in-depth attention to these emerging technologies and the agency’s inclusion of people with disabilities. The next step from the current Administration is to release proposed rules from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on self-driving vehicles. I intend to follow this rulemaking process while learning more about this research and exploring ways to provide safe and reliable transportation for individuals living with disabilities.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to work with the Department of Transportation to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Clinton pledges to follow the rulemaking process to learn more about autonomous vehicles and how they serve people with disabilities.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

This technology is in its infancy and I am sure its developers would be open to such concerns, but ultimately, this is an issue that will be settled in a free market economy. If there is demand, there will be supply. There is no reason at this juncture to believe that people with disabilities will not be able to buy or otherwise have access to self-driving vehicles.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to the free market economy to dictate how autonomous vehicles will operate and interact with people with disabilities.

D. Air Travel

Air travel can be complicated for everyone, but people with disabilities encounter many additional barriers to air travel. From the time we enter the airport, we are faced with obstacles that not only result in frequent delays and missed flights, but they also put our dignity and safety at risk. People with disabilities frequently experience inaccessible facilities and equipment in airports, overly intrusive and discriminatory TSA security screenings, breakage of mobility and medical equipment, unsafe and harmful transport and transfers by airport staff, inaccessible aircraft facilities and amenities, and additional fees. Air travel can be extremely difficult for people with disabilities, including those who must travel for work, sometimes rendering it nearly impossible. As President, what would you do to address this issue?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

As Secretary of State, I worked to build strong support for the United States to join the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The CRPD is important for international air travel as it seeks to secure disability rights abroad, similar to what we have in our own disability rights laws. I will continue to support ratification of the treaty in the Senate.

And as president, I will commit to working with the DOT to ensure equal access to air travel for people with disabilities. My friend, former Senator Tom Harkin, worked on legislation to correct many access issues within air travel. I will work with policymakers to provide access to air travel for Americans living with disabilities.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges her continued support for ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Clinton pledges to work with the Department of Transportation to ensure equal access for people with disabilities.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

Difficulties with TSA have been a problem for many Americans and its performance must improve on many fronts. Enhanced training for TSA agents will be a priority for my administration and we will review possible gaps in our disability laws and training in this regard.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to enhance training for TSA agents in addition to reviewing existing laws and trainings to address gaps in service for people with disabilities.

5. TECHNOLOGY

A. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Would you make it a priority to ensure federal agencies make their websites and all other information technology accessible? How will you implement this?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

I will continue to support the work of the Government Services Administration (GSA) in providing technical assistance and training to ensure that federal websites comply with Section 508. Access to public services is critical, and I am committed to working with the GSA and others to achieve it.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to work with the Government Services Administration (GSA) to provide technical assistance and training on web accessibility as dictated by Section 508.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

The Executive branch of government under my administration will do all it can to ensure that the laws of the land are enforced in this regard to the extent it is technologically feasible.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to enforce existing laws ‘to the extent it is technologically feasible.’

B. The Internet of Things

What will you do to ensure that people with disabilities have the same access to the Internet of Things as provided to nondisabled individuals?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

My administration will work to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to essential internet resources, in part by ensuring that every household has access to high-speed broadband by 2020. Accessible technology is key to community integration and that includes the internet.

Technology provides tremendous opportunity for Americans with disabilities in all areas, and as president, I intend to ensure all agencies of our government are working together for full inclusion. As one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world, we must mobilize American innovation to benefit each and every individual.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to bring high-speed broadband to every household by 2020.
Clinton pledges to ensure all federal agencies work together for full inclusion of people with disabilities.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

The hallmark of high-tech is personally customizable devices and products. The high-tech community should not be averse to achieving these goals for people with disabilities as technology makes it feasible. To the extent the industry unfairly or actively discriminates against people with disabilities, I will work with Congress and relevant authorities to enforce the law.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump commits to work with Congress and enforce existing laws in cases where the technology industry actively discriminates against people with disabilities.

6. EDUCATION

A. IDEA Funding

Do you support funding IDEA at higher levels?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has helped ensure children with disabilities receive the services they need and the education they deserve. As a co-sponsor of the IDEA Reauthorization Act and an original co-sponsor of the IDEA Full-Funding Act, I know we need to keep working toward fulfilling the promise of this landmark law. Throughout my time in the Senate, I voted to increase funding for IDEA on many occasions. With my personal roots in the issue of education for people with disabilities, the funding of IDEA is very important to me, and I will work diligently as president to ensure we expand resources for students with disabilities.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to continue support for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and to expand resources for students with disabilities.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

The level of funding in every aspect of education is an issue which has been made harder by the doubling of the national debt from $10 trillion to $20 trillion in the last 8 years alone. By eliminating waste and duplicative ineffective programs we will be able to deliver better outcomes. Increasing federal spending in any area has now been made more difficult, but I will work with Congress to decide among the many priorities like IDEA funding.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to consider funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), among other priorities.

B. Curriculum and Transition

How would you ensure that students with disabilities have the same access to ambitious educational opportunities that other students have?
How would you increase the number of high school graduates with disabilities and what would you do to ensure more college graduates with disabilities secure employment and are hired by the private sector?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

As president, I will bolster educational opportunities for all students, while ensuring students with disabilities have the same access as those without disabilities. I have discussed several elements of the levers to do that, from IDEA, to ESSA, to expanding access to mental health services for children and adolescents, to disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, to expanding opportunities for competitive integrated employment. We need to use every tool in our toolbox.

In addition to supporting those in school, it is also important that we give students transitioning out of school-based services the support they need to build healthy lives for themselves, and gain access to employment opportunities. This will be a priority of mine as president. I’ve already set out some detail on how I will go about doing this for students who are living with autism, and I think the transition should be a focus of ours to support all students with disabilities.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges her support for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), expanding access to mental health services for children and adolescents, disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, and expanding opportunities for competitive integrated employment.
Clinton pledges to prioritize support for students transitioning out of school-based services.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

The federal government should have as minimal a role in local public education as possible. That said, the government should protect the civil rights of students with disabilities. There are civil rights mechanisms in place to do just that already, such as the federal court ruling that disabled children have a right to a free and appropriate education. The federal government enforces that ruling and my administration will enforce it when it is violated.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to minimalize the federal government’s role in public education.
Trump pledges to protect the civil rights of students with disabilities utilizing existing mechanisms.

C. Eliminating Bullying and the Use of Restraints and Seclusion

Do you support amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to protect young students with disabilities from bullying and the use of restraints and seclusion, and to require state educational agencies and local school districts systems to report incidents of bullying and the use of restraints and seclusion, and to provide interventions to reduce bullying and the use of restrains and seclusion?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

No one should ever be made to feel badly for being different. Unfortunately, children with disabilities are more likely than other children to be bullied, including two-thirds of children with autism. We’ve even seen some bullying of people with disabilities from presidential candidates. I will press Congress to enact the Keeping All Students Safe Act. I will also ensure the Department of Education (ED) enforces the strong guidance issued to states and school districts so that students with disabilities must be protected from bullying and allowed to remain in their classrooms.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to press Congress to enact the Keeping All Students Safe Act.
Clinton pledges to ensure the Department of Education enforces their guidelines on bullying.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

No child should be bullied in school — by other students or staff. This is another issue regarding people with disabilities that I would ask a Cabinet-led task force to review and work with Executive Branch agencies and Departments and Congress as appropriate.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to have a Cabinet-led task force review the issue of bullying.

D. Educational Inclusion of People with Disabilities

What steps will you take to expand access to the general education classroom and broader inclusion for students with disabilities?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

As president, I will ensure that every child with a disability has access to a high-quality education and can receive this education in the least restrictive environment possible. Under existing law, school districts must provide students with disabilities a free, appropriate public education. Yet in too many districts, that legal mandate is not always enforced. I will fight so that students with disabilities are safe, empowered, and learning at school. In addition to promoting policies to protect students with disabilities from bullying, I will ensure that children with disabilities have access to assistive devices or technology. These tools can help them overcome communication barriers, allowing them to learn in a classroom of their peers with and without disabilities.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to enforce existing laws that mandate students with disabilities be provided with a free and appropriate public education.
Clinton pledges to ensure students with disabilities have access to assistive technologies.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

The federal courts have already found that students with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education. To the extent this ruling is not being properly carried out, I will be open to ensuring that it is.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to carry out the existing court order that students with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education.

7. VOTING

What will you do to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to the fundamental right to vote?
Do you support providing funding to states so they can purchase new accessible voting systems to replace the first generation accessible voting systems that have outlived their useful life?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

The right to vote is the most fundamental and important privilege of our democracy – one I have fought to uphold throughout my career. I understood the urgency of protecting this right when I introduced the Count Every Vote Act, which, along with other protections designed to safeguard minority voting rights, ensured access to voter verification for all citizens. This includes language-minority voters, voters who cannot read, and voters with disabilities.

I will work with the DOJ to make sure the goals of voting rights within legislation like the ADA, the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, the National Voter Registration Act of (NVRA), and the Help America Vote Act are all being upheld and enforced. We need to ensure we are making it easier to vote and restore key provisions of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). And I will do more to expand access to voting across the country, including early voting and universal, automatic voter registration.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to work with the Department of Justice to ensure current voting rights legislation is upheld and enforced.
Clinton pledges to restore key provisions of the Voting Rights Act.
Clinton pledges to expand access to voting through early voting and automatic voter registration.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

I would support funding states so that they might fulfill their Constitutional requirements to conduct elections, including reasonable accessibility for people with disabilities and other Americans to exercise their right to vote.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to support funding for states to fulfill their constitutional requirements to conduct elections.

8. AFFORDABLE, INTEGRATED and ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

As President, what will you do to address the need for affordable, integrated accessible housing for people with disabilities?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

Stable living conditions ensure stable lives, but persons with disabilities often struggle to secure housing. As a result, many become unnecessarily vulnerable to unemployment, homelessness, and incarceration. The landmark 1999 ruling in Olmstead v. L.C. codified the right under the ADA for persons with disabilities to live in the community rather than institutions, and to gain access to reasonable accommodations to support their independence.

As president, I will increase housing opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities by funding projects that help individuals with disabilities live independently in their communities and investing in community-based housing programs that have proven to be effective. One such program is the newly-reformed Section 811 program authorized by the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010.

In recent years, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released Olmstead guidance to the public. I support expanding on this guidance and ensuring that housing providers are fully aware of the housing crisis facing people with disabilities. I will encourage HUD to continue fostering opportunities and relationships with housing providers, to encouraging viable solutions to support individuals with disabilities.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to increase housing opportunities for people with disabilities by funding programs that support community living.
Clinton pledges to work with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to foster relationships with housing providers to better support people with disabilities.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

Federal law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in both private and public housing and requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations, including modifications, for Americans with disabilities. Federal law also requires that most multi-family housing built after 1991 have accessible entrances, common areas, doors, bathrooms, and kitchens. I support these laws and will be open to improving them.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump pledges to support existing federal laws and consider improving them.

9. HEALTH CARE

What will you do to address discrimination in the financing and provision of health care services to people with disabilities? Will you make enforcement of existing health care nondiscrimination protections for people with disabilities a priority?
How will you work to expand access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage for people with disabilities?
How will you work to improve the Medicaid program, including ensuring access to home and community based services and the elimination of the bias toward institutional services in the Medicaid program?

Secretary Clinton’s Response:

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), 20 million more Americans have health insurance, which among numerous other benefits, ensures that people with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage. As president, I will protect and expand upon this legislation to finish our fight to provide universal coverage.

To ensure care is more accessible, I will cap the prescription drug costs that people have to pay out of pocket, and limit excessive out-of-pocket health costs. I will protect consumers from unjustified prescription drug price increases from companies that market long-standing, life-saving treatments and face little or no competition. I will also put forth new enforcement tools that make drug alternatives available and increase competition, broaden emergency access to high-quality treatments from developed countries with strong safety standards, and hold drug companies accountable.

I will fight for health insurance for the lowest-income Americans in every state by working with governors in the remaining 19 states to expand Medicaid—and make enrollment through Medicaid and the ACA easier. Under Medicaid, states are required to cover all medically necessary treatments for disabilities, including developmental disabilities, yet not all states are fully compliant.

I will expand access to rural Americans, who often have difficulty finding quality, affordable health care. I will double funding for community health centers, explore ways to expand access to telemedicine, and support our healthcare workforce. I am also committed to doubling the funding for primary-care services at community health centers over the next ten years.

In addition to strengthening health care coverage for people with disabilities across the board, I have proposed specific initiatives that will make a difference in health care and health coverage for people with disabilities, such as my autism initiative and mental health agenda. I am committed to improve how our healthcare system functions for people with disabilities and ensure that they are eligible for and can access the care that they need.

Secretary Clinton’s Main Points:

Clinton pledges to protect and expand upon the Affordable Care Act to work towards universal health care coverage.
Clinton pledges to work with governors to expand Medicaid in the 19 states that have not done so and to ensure that all states comply with covering all medically necessary treatments for disabilities as required by Medicaid.
Clinton pledges to enact specific initiatives that support the health of people with disabilities, including her autism initiative and mental health agenda.

Mr. Trump’s Response:

Inflexible, one-size-fits-all regulations in federal programs including Medicaid have harmed, not served, people with disabilities. The bias toward institutional care built into to regulations promulgated by the HHS waste money and fail to deliver the services needed. My administration will work to eliminate unneeded regulation and allow for greater flexibility in regulations to ensure programs including Medicaid better serve the needs of people with disabilities.

Mr. Trump’s Main Points:

Trump states that programs like Medicaid do not serve people with disabilities.
Trump pledges to eliminate unneeded regulations.

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