CCIDS
News
All Maine Votes Hosts Candidates’ Forum
(October 15, 2008) All Maine Votes, a
nonpartisan coalition of disability
advocacy organizations and
individuals, administered by the Maine Disability Rights Center (DRC),
hosted a public forum in Augusta for candidates seeking election to the
U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and leadership positions in the
Maine State Legislature. The four-hour Candidates’ Forum at St. Paul’s
Center was moderated by DRC staff attorney, Kristin Aiello, Esq., and
provided an opportunity for over 130 people with disabilities, and those
concerned about disability issues, to ask questions and learn the
candidates’ views on their issues of concern.
Nine candidates participated in the
forum: Congressional Candidate Chellie Pingree (D-District 1);
Congressional Candidate Charles Summers (R-District 1); Maine Senate
Majority Leader, Elizabeth Mitchell (D-Vassalboro, photo to right); State Office
Representative Jennifer L. Duddy (representing U.S. Senator Susan
Collins, R); House Majority Leader, Hannah Pingree (D-North Haven);
Representative Sharon Treat (D-Hallowell); Representative Seth Berry
(D-Bowdoinham); Representative Cynthia Dill (D-Cape Elizabeth); and
Representative Donald Pilon (D-Saco).
Julie L. Flynn, Maine Deputy Secretary of
State, was also in attendance and discussed the accessible voting
systems now available for all Maine residents and responded to questions
on voting rights and access.
Candidates were asked to share their
views on a wide range of topics: the economy; healthcare; social
services; voting rights and access; mental health parity legislation;
the impact of school consolidation on supports for students with
disabilities; home health care; homemaker services; workforce
development for people with disabilities; rehabilitation services for
returning veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic
stress disorder; and supports for children diagnosed with autism. (Photo
at left: DRC's Kristin Aiello, Moderator)
The University of Maine Center for
Community Inclusion and Disability Studies was one of seven disability
advocacy organizations in attendance: representatives from the
Advocacy
Initiative Network of Maine;
Alpha One;
Maine Developmental Disabilities
Council; Maine Disability Rights Center (sponsor),
Maine Parent
Federation, and Speaking Up for Us of Maine, also participated in the
forum. (Photo at right: Paul Picard, SUFU)
All Maine Votes is partially funded by
Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds: the project is led by Disability
Rights Center staff attorney, Ross Doerr, Esq., who has been working
with the Secretary of State's Office throughout Maine to educate voters,
election workers, and the general public about the new accessible voting
systems. (Photo at left: ASL Interpreter, Margaret Haberman)
