Action Alert: Ask Your Senators to Confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson!

April 04, 2022

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was just voted out of committee and is poised to become the first Black woman Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, pending a full vote by the Senate. Today, we are calling on our network to take action by reaching out to your Senators and pushing them to ensure the fair, swift, and bipartisan confirmation vote that Judge Jackson deserves.

Read AAPD’s press release applauding the vote advancing Judge Jackson out of committee and AAPD’s press release celebrating her nomination. To learn more about her track record on disability and civil rights you can read the Bazelon Center’s research memo on Judge Jackson’s decisions.

Take action by contacting your Senator through phone, email, or social media and urging them to confirm Judge Jackson!

Dial 888-852-7561 and the #ConfirmJackson hotline will connect you to your local Senator or tag your Senator on Twitter and use the #ConfirmJackson hashtag.

Call or Email Your Senator Today

Sample Email/ Phone Script:

Hello, My name is [Your name].

I am contacting you today to urge you to support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Jackson’s personal and professional experiences will increase public trust in our courts and improve judicial decision making on a number of issues, including disability rights.

In numerous decisions, from her time as a federal public defender to her service on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Judge Jackson has shown deep appreciation for our nation’s disability rights laws. She has represented defendants with mental health disabilities and ensured that they would receive a fair day in court. She has ruled on many cases that affirm people with disabilities deserve equal opportunities for participation in our workplaces, government programs, and places of public accommodation.

As a member of the disability community, my life has been directly impacted by the decisions of the Supreme Court. It is important to me that the Supreme Court understands the importance of disability rights and civil rights more broadly, and Judge Jackson has demonstrated that she does. All Americans will benefit from Judge Jackson’s presence on the Supreme Court!

Sample Tweets:

[@Your Senator] the #SCOTUS decisions impact people with disabilities & Judge Jackson has exhibited an exemplary track record on disability & civil rights along with a dedication to equity. We deserve a Justice like Judge Jackson. Vote yes to #ConfirmJackson #CripTheVote

[@Your Senator] I am calling on you to recognize Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s exceptional record and to deliver the fair and swift confirmation vote that she deserves. We need a Supreme Court that will represent all Americans. #ConfirmJackson #CripTheVote

We need [@Your Senator] to #ConfirmJackson, not only for a more reflective and equitable Supreme Court but also so that we can have a highly qualified Justice that is impartial and fully dedicated to disability and civil rights for all. America needs Judge Jackson. #CripTheVote

Action Alert: Ask your Senators to Protect Our Access to Voting!

September 17, 2021

Today, we are calling on our network to take action to protect access to the ballot. The U.S. Senate is considering a voting rights bill called the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Week. This bill would restore the power of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to protect our right to vote from restrictive laws that seem to limit voting access for people with disabilities, people of color, and disabled people of color.

Learn more about the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and take action below!

Check out all of the activities taking place this week at aapd.com/ndvrw and…

CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION

Action Alert! Tell Your Senators to VOTE NO on Kavanaugh

National Call-In Day Today

September 14, 2018

Last week’s confirmation hearing for Brett Kavanaugh did nothing to allay concerns that if he were appointed to the Supreme Court, he would pose a threat to the hard-won rights and protections for people with disabilities. If the Senate Judiciary Committee votes in favor of Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination (which is expected to happen), then his nomination goes to the full Senate for a vote, expected to happen in the next few weeks.

Judge Kavanaugh’s record indicates that he devalues the lives and liberty of people with disabilities. His confirmation would place at risk access to health care and civil rights protections for people with disabilities, opportunities for people with disabilities to make choices about their own lives, and the ability of executive branch agencies to interpret and enforce laws protecting people with disabilities.

What We Learned at Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Hearing

During his hearing, Judge Kavanaugh refused to answer even basic questions concerning his views on important issues, and repeatedly refused to say that he would uphold the Affordable Care Act’s protections.

Liz Weintraub, Senior Advocacy Specialist at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), testified about her concerns that Judge Kavanaugh has shown a lack of respect for the self-determination rights of people with disabilities. “If Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed,” said Weintraub, “I’m afraid that my right to make decisions for myself will be taken away.”

Jackson Corbin, a 13-year old boy with complex medical needs due to Noonan’s Syndrome, testified about the impact that appointing Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court would have on health care. Corbin said: “If you destroy protections for preexisting conditions, you leave me and all kids and adults like me without care and without the ability to afford our care, all because of who we are.”

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law outlines 10 Reasons People with Disabilities Should Oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s Nomination:

He is a threat to your health care.
He would allow the President to wield dangerous power.
He is dismissive of the fundamental rights of people with disabilities.
He won’t protect the rights of workers with disabilities.
He would narrow the protections of civil rights laws.
He promotes school voucher programs that leave students with disabilities without key protections.
He discounts the role of the administrative agencies that enforce your rights.
He would allow states to impose restrictive voter ID laws.
He imposes barriers for people seeking justice in courts.
He will not fairly protect the rights of all people, including people with disabilities.

The Bazelon Center also released a thorough review of Judge Kavanaugh’s record and its implications for the disability community.

Take Action

The full Senate will soon vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination. All Senators need to hear from the disability community, but it is especially important for advocates in Maine (Susan Collins), Alaska (Lisa Murkowski), Indiana (Joe Donnelly), Alabama (Doug Jones), North Dakota (Heidi Heitkamp), West Virginia (Joe Manchin), and Nevada (Dean Heller) to contact your Senators. However, it is only helpful to contact your own Senators.

Here’s what you can do:

Email and Tweet your Senators

Use the advocacy tool below to send an email and tweet directly to your Senators to tell them to oppose the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court.

Be sure to connect your Twitter account to use the social media outreach feature of this tool.

Call your Senators – National Call-In Day on September 14th

Participate in the September 14th National Call-In Day to amplify efforts around the country. Call Senators through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091(tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators. Use Contacting Congress to easily identify your Senators.

Sample Call Script:

My name is [your full name]. I’m a constituent of Senator [Name] and I live in [your town]. I’m calling to ask the Senator to VOTE NO on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Judge Kavanaugh’s record indicates that he devalues the lives and liberty of people with disabilities like [me / my family member/ my friends]. His confirmation would endanger access to health care and civil rights protections for people with disabilities, opportunities for people with disabilities to make choices about their own lives, and the ability of executive branch agencies to interpret and enforce laws protecting people with disabilities.

Please VOTE NO on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Thank you for taking my call.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address and zip code to ensure your call is tallied]

Background Materials on Kavanaugh and Disability

Review of Disability Related Cases Involving Judge Brett Kavanaugh – Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
10 Reasons People with Disabilities Should Oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s Nomination – Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
What the Nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court Means for People with Disabilities – Center for Public Representation, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and Access Living
Judge Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Nomination Could Put the Americans With Disabilities Act in Danger – Robyn Powell

Opposition Statements

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This alert was developed with content provided by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).

Action Alert! Tell your Senators to Uphold Disability Rights by Opposing the Nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court

August 21, 2018

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) opposes the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court based on his previous rulings as a DC Circuit Court Judge that have devalued the lives and liberty of people with disabilities. Judge Kavanaugh’s rulings and statements on health care, self-determination, employment, and education threaten the rights of all Americans with disabilities. Read our full statement here.

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law outlines 10 Reasons People with Disabilities Should Oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s Nomination:

He is a threat to your health care.
He would allow the President to wield dangerous power.
He is dismissive of the fundamental rights of people with disabilities.
He won’t protect the rights of workers with disabilities.
He would narrow the protections of civil rights laws.
He promotes school voucher programs that leave students with disabilities without key protections.
He discounts the role of the administrative agencies that enforce your rights.
He would allow states to impose restrictive voter ID laws.
He imposes barriers for people seeking justice in courts.
He will not fairly protect the rights of all people, including people with disabilities.

The Bazelon Center also released a thorough review of Judge Kavanaugh’s record and its implications for the disability community.

Educate yourself and others about Judge Kavanaugh’s record. Contact your Senators to express your opposition and underscore the importance of health care and self-determination for all Americans with disabilities.

Take Action

Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing in the Senate is scheduled to start on September 4 – contact your Senators today to express your opposition to his nomination!

Target States

All Senators need to hear from the disability community on how Judge Kavanaugh will roll back disability rights if confirmed. However, it is especially important to contact Senators from the following states:

Alabama – Senator Doug Jones
Alaska – Senator Lisa Murkowski
Indiana – Senator Joe Donnelly
Maine – Senator Susan Collins
North Dakota – Senator Heidi Heitkamp
Nevada – Senator Dean Heller
West Virginia – Senator Joe Manchin

Call your Senators

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-3091 (TTY) and ask to be connected to your Senators.

Email your Senators

Contacting Congress provides unique links to email your Senators directly.

Engage your Senators through Social Media

Tweet your Senators – find their Twitter handles here.

Additional Opposition Statements

Action Alert! Join the June 26 National Call-In Day to Protect SNAP

Keep Food on the Table for Millions of Americans with Disabilities

June 25, 2018

The Senate is expected to vote on the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (S.3042) this week, most likely on Thursday, June 28. The Senate version of this bill, also known as the Farm Bill, protects the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit levels and eligibility. SNAP helps millions of people with disabilities afford a nutritionally adequate diet.

Take Action

June 26 National Call-In Day to Protect SNAP

Call 1-888-398-8702 and enter your zip code to be connected directly to your Senators (toll-free number courtesy of Feeding America). Urge your Senators to vote YES on the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (S.3042) and to oppose any amendments that would weaken SNAP.

Use AAPD’s advocacy tool below to send a tweet and Facebook post directly to your Senators to tell them to support the Senate Farm Bill and protect SNAP.

Additional Resources and Information

Senate Agriculture Committee’s Bipartisan Farm Bill Strengthens SNAP and Avoids Harming SNAP Households – Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Analysis of the Senate Farm Bill Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (S. 3042) – Food Research & Action Center
Farm Bill 2018 – CLASP

Action Alert! We Must Continue the Fight to Protect Medicaid

January 25, 2018

The House and Senate Republicans and Democrats are meeting at the end of the month to determine their respective caucus’ legislative priorities for 2018. The disability community must remind Congress that we support the Medicaid program and that they should not take steps to cut or cap the program.

Background

Key House and Senate leaders have indicated that they would like to cut spending on federal programs such as Medicaid in response to the 1.5 trillion dollar loss of revenue due to the tax cuts. Some leaders have been careful to say that Medicare and Social Security are off the table for possible cuts but Medicaid, food assistance, Supplemental Security Income and others remain targets. This is a continuation of the fight in 2017 except they are using different messaging. Medicaid is at risk whether they are calling it “welfare reform” or “opportunities” or “jobs for people”, the end result is reducing enrollment in Medicaid and spending less on the program.

The only feasible way for Congress to enact major cuts or caps to Medicaid this year is through special budget rules (known as reconciliation) that allow the Senate to pass budget-related legislation with a simple majority. But reconciliation cannot proceed without first passing a budget resolution that includes instructions that would allow the Senate to use special budget rules. We must remind Congress that we want to protect Medicaid and other programs. Insist that Congress refuse to include reconciliation instructions in any budget legislation and instead seek bipartisan efforts to strengthen Medicaid and other social programs people with disabilities rely on.

Take Action

Call your Representative and Senators today — 202-224-3121. EVERY call matters. If we can prevent Congress from passing a budget, then Congress will not be able to cut or cap Medicaid. Act now as Congress will be deciding what direction to take at the end of the month.

What to Say:

I am your constituent.
I am a person with a disability (or a family member, or professional in the field).
Medicaid provides critical services to people with disabilities.
Protect Medicaid from cuts and caps.
Do not pass a budget that allows Medicaid cuts.

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This action alert was developed by the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).