DA Global Disability Caucus Leadership:
News
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 02, 2022
Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. For us, it is an opportunity to reiterate the importance of strengthening our efforts to build a more inclusive and accessible Democrats Abroad.
Accessibility
We hope that each Chapter and Country Committee will consider identifying a member who can monitor opportunities for more accessible communications, events and information. Easy fixes include avoiding small typefaces, reminding participants online how they can access closed captioning and other tools, ensuring accessibility for “live” events and recognizing the disruptive effects of chat entries for people using screen readers.
One resource is the Justice Department’s new ADA website:
https://www.ada.gov/
https://www.ada.gov/notices/2022/11/16/ada-launch/
Comments About Vigilance for Rights and Protections vs. Unreasonable Attacks
We’ve been reminded by recent events of a particular issue plaguing our community, the active blaming and marginalizing of people with disabilities in lieu of the strengthening of access, services and support.
Conflating homelessness with mental illness, New York Mayor Eric Adams has initiated a policy which requires the, according to the New York Times, “involuntarily hospitalizing people who were a danger to themselves, even if they posed no risk of harm to others, arguing the city had a “moral obligation” to help them.”
“The common misunderstanding persists that we cannot provide involuntary assistance unless the person is violent,” Mr. Adams said in an address at City Hall. “Going forward, we will make every effort to assist those who are suffering from mental illness.”
“The mayor’s announcement comes at a heated moment in the national debate about rising crime and the role of the police, especially in dealing with people who are already in fragile mental health. Republicans, as well as tough-on-crime Democrats like Mr. Adams, a former police captain, have argued that growing disorder calls for more aggressive measures. Left-leaning advocates and officials who dominate New York politics say that deploying the police as auxiliary social workers may do more harm than good.”
Mental illness is the most often-used default when Republicans want to avoid acknowledging the extreme need for much stronger gun regulations. There is a certain irony in the absence of concern for the actual creation of disabilities as a result of those who survive gun violence. The issue is also being used as a diversion, not as an expression of genuine concern or understanding.
These same people would undoubtedly erupt if the perpetrators of gun crimes actually use mental illness as an element of their defense. While there is no doubt that there is a strong need for better policy, laws and practices to support people with disabilities but for the vast majority of people who need these changes, violent behavior isn’t the reason.
One Goal for 2023
Please encourage at least one of your members to join the Global Disability Caucus. We need allies, whether or not they are currently experiencing a disability. The addition of new leaders and volunteers could greatly expand our (and your) ability to inform, educate, coordinate action and impact legislation. They can reach us at [email protected]
https://www.democratsabroad.org/dc
Congratulations on your mighty efforts to defend Democracy during the midterms and thank you for your support of the candidates and policies which help ensure better lives for all Americans.
Take care,
Marnie Delaney
Chair, Global Disability Caucus
A Disability Discourse - Podcast
May 07, 2022
A Disability Discourse - Podcast with Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman

Upcoming Events
Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US & Canada) · 49 rsvps
Medicare - What You Need to Know
Medicare and Americans Abroad
Join us on February 19th for a practical explanation of what Medicare is, how it is funded, to whom it is available and the nature of coverage it does or can include. Find out what kind of decisions you will have to make – either now or in the future – and how these decisions and programs can significantly impact your future financial and insurance coverage situation. These decisions are important for people with disabilities and seniors, but knowing what is coming is important for all Americans overseas – whether you plan to stay abroad or move back to the US.
Our panelists are Democrats Abroad members and Americans living abroad who are working on legislation to better the opportunities of Americans abroad and who will share their knowledge, experience and plans for the future with you. Please note that this panel will give neither financial advice nor expert opinion on individual situations. The webinar will be recorded, and all the documents presented in this webinar will be sent to anyone who RSVPS for the event.
RSVP Below!
Our Panelists:
Heather Stone, Chair Medicare Medical Portability Task Force
Philippe Blumenthal, CEO of the Government Savings Institute
Toni Kamins, Medicare Medical Portability Task Force and Chair of GSC Medicare Part B Committee
This event is co-hosted by DA's Global Seniors Caucus, Medical Portability Task Force, and Global Disability Caucus.
LOCATION | LOCAL TIME |
Vancouver, CA | 5:30 AM |
Washington DC | 8:30 AM |
London, UK | 1:30 PM |
Berlin, Germany | 2:30 PM |
Tel Aviv, IL | 3:30 PM |
Nairobi KE | 4:30 PM |
Mumbai, IN | 7:00 PM |
Beijing, CN | 9:30 PM |
Tokyo, JP | 10:30 PM |
Monthly Friday Casual Social
Democrats Abroad Global Seniors and Disability Caucuses invite you to join us for our monthly Social -- a time for Seniors and members of the Disability Caucus to connect with one another and discuss topics of concern and information. We will reflect, discuss, plan, and strategize together from the comfort of our own homes and with no duties or assignments! This will be fun as we can discuss freely any topic we would like.
RSVP BELOW TO JOIN US ON ZOOM!
LOCATION | LOCAL TIME |
Vancouver CA | 6:00 AM |
Washington DC | 9:00 AM |
London UK | 2:00 PM |
Berlin DE | 3:00 PM |
Nairobi KE | 4:00 PM |
Beijing CN | 9:00 PM |
Tokyo JP | 10:00 PM |