Commentary on Obama ADA speech: ‘We’re screwed’
Josie Byzek, managing editor of New Mobility magazine, says President Obama “bombed” in his speech on the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Byzek says Obama fed into stereotypes and failed to recognize the civil rights struggles faced daily by people with disabilities. (Video of his remarks on CSPAN here.) An excerpt:
If this clip is indicative of Obama’s disability policies, then it’s clear Obama believes most of the hard work is already done (if it was ever that important to begin with), and mainly all we need now is better medical treatment, either through stem cell research or health care. Obama’s greatest praise is for the appeasers who never complain, and he gave just a passing pat on the back for the advocates who brought the ADA into being. Job done, he seems to say. No need for that type of unpleasantness any more.
But, oh yes, while we’re in a magnanimous mood, why don’t we beef up ADA enforcement a bit, says the tone of Obama’s speech. Too, let’s give lip service to the rights of Americans to live freely in the community. Maybe then they’ll stop handcuffing themselves to my house.
Once again I can only conclude that Obama has a crip problem.