Volunteer-led groups of disability activists are rallying around the Harris-Walz campaign like none before: Disabled Voters for Harris. Disabled Folks for Kamala. DisCo4Harris (Disability Coalition for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz). Disabled leaders are personally stumping for the candidates, too, and the Democratic National Convention Disability Caucus and the Young Democrats of America Disability Caucus are working within the Democratic party. In sharp contrast, the Republican party has yet to announce any disability leaders or organizations campaigning for Trump-Vance.
Why this grassroots boost of energy behind the Democratic presidential candidate?
Over 70 Million Potential Voters
“In 2022, the CDC reported that one in four Americans has a disability. This translates to over 70 million people who will be impacted by the upcoming election,” says Cassidy Huff, a social media influencer and co-founder of Disabled Voters for Harris (along with Zibora Gilder). “Every vote in this election matters—your vote is crucial for protecting your individual rights and the rights of every disabled person in this country…In some areas of the country, it comes down to just a handful of votes.”
Leslie Templeton, one of the organizers of Disabled Folks for Kamala, agrees. Templeton, also the Chair of The Young Democrats Disability Caucus and The Massachusetts Young Democrats Disability Caucus says, “Across the nation we’re seeing that candidates who are engaging the disability vote are winning. When we feel like someone wants to speak with us, wants to hear us, wants to advocate for us, and wants to represent us in a dignified and just way, we’re going to come out. And we’re not going to come out in the dozens. We’re going to come out in droves.”
Getting Out the Disability Vote
“The disabled community has the numbers to be the largest voting bloc in the world. It is time for this community to flex its political muscle and demand the representation and policies that it deserves,” Terri Loerch wrote in a July 2024 article for United Disabilities, the Leading Social AI Platform for Inclusive Community Engagement. “By voting blue and supporting Kamala Harris, people with disabilities can ensure that their voices are heard and that their interests are protected.”
That’s the aim of disability groups organizing for the Harris campaign: To get out the disability vote and to inform voters of Kamala’s commitment to the community. They work toward these goals by providing voting resources, holding weekly meetings, campaigning on social media, and fundraising.
Kamala’s Commitment to the Community
The organizations are also eager to amplify Harris’ commitment to the disability community. “She is a strong advocate for lowering prescription drug costs, making housing affordable, ensuring safe and accessible healthcare, and protecting reproductive freedoms—all of which will significantly benefit disabled individuals across the nation,” Huff says.
Other leaders also touted Kamala’s record of protecting Social Security and Medicare; her advocacy behind the changes to regulations that create better access for people with disabilities to healthcare, transportation, and digital education; her willingness to meet with disabled leaders, and the steps her campaign has already taken to include the disability community.
“We feel like the campaign wants to interact with our community,” Templeton says, who also points to the campaign’s appointment of a Disability Engagement Director, Anastasia Somoza. Though former campaigns have utilized disability policy advisers, the new director is the first one specially tasked with connecting with the community.
Janni Lehrer-Stein, disability rights advocate, Vice chair of the DNC Disability Caucus, and DisCo4Harris supporter, also applauds the campaign’s commitment to accessibility. “When Alex Hornbrook was named as CEO of the (Democratic National) Convention,” she says, “one of the first things he said (to the Finance Committee) was that they were determined to make this the most accessible convention ever.” Lehrer-Stein also participated on the accessibility task force for the Democratic convention—and was able to sit alongside her delegation for the first time ever.
“The energy was electrifying,” she says. “I’ve been to several conventions, but nothing like this…I think the difference was that we have been through so much as a country…and then, the specter of returning to those dreadful problems.” And now, she says, “We’re in a situation where we are given an opportunity to hope again.”
“There is a lot on the line.”
“It’s been really nice to have joy, not fear,” Templeton adds, “but there is a lot on the line.” She cites Trump’s previously proposed cuts for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), his comments about increasing institutionalization for people with mental health issues, and Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s right-wing plan for the next administration, which includes cutting Social Security, relaxing worker safety rules, and cutting funding for housing and community-based services.
“I think with any administration you have to lobby to get the things that you need done,” she says. “But I’d much rather have someone who’s willing to listen to me than have someone who’s going to tell me that I deserve to die.”
Lehrer-Stein believes that Trump’s alleged remarks, quoted in Fred C. Trump III’s book, All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way, illustrates the largest contrast between the two candidates for President. “Donald Trump degrades us and demeans us and has expressed the opinion that he wants us to die. Kamala Harris, from the moment she entered her law practice, has unequivocally supported us, and wants us to thrive.”
She, along with other disability leaders, also lauded Tim Walz’s understanding and respect for the community. “He’s not hiding the fact that he is an extended member of our community, that his family understands and lives the experience of people with disabilities,” she says. “He is proud of both of his children for their talents and achievements. And isn’t that how we want to be: just like everybody else?”
“We have the chance to work with someone.”
Huff, who co-hosts weekly virtual discussions for Disabled Voters for Harris about amplifying disabled voices in this election, says, “Kamala Harris has consistently fought for our community, and she remains our only choice in this election if we want to expand our freedoms and rights, and secure a better future for disabled children.”
Templeton hopes that the pro-Harris-Walz organizations she works with can inform young disabled voters about Kamala’s disability-related policies, provide ways to help the campaign, and encourage them to vote. “With Kamala, we have the chance to work with someone, not against someone,” she concludes.
Lehrer-Stein and DisCo4Harris want to remind people of the power of the disability vote. “The disability community is the biggest tent on earth because anyone can land in it at any moment, regardless of age, gender, race, affiliation, or geography…And with someone like Kamala Harris as our leader, nobody’s going to be able to see the top of that tent, because there will be no limit to what we can achieve and give back to our community.”
About The Author: Cindy Brown Is A Fellow With The Loreen Arbus Accessibility Is Fundamental Program, A Fellowship Created With Women’s ENews To Train Women With Disabilities As Professional Journalists So That They May Write, Research And Report On The Most Crucial Issues Impacting The Disabilities Community .
