During an emergency such as a hurricane or a public health crisis, there is not only a need to focus planning and response efforts on disability-specific aspects of the emergency, but also to seek the input and expertise of people with disabilities in the process. If elected, how would your office work to ensure that state emergency planning (i.e., health testing, sheltering and safety of congregate living populations, et cetera) is inclusive of Florida’s disability communities? How will you work to ensure that communications and other information from the state is accessible to people with disabilities?
I would work with our organizations and leaders in our community to make sure that the disabled initiatives for a state of emergency are met. I will ensure that my office is in constant communication with the different communities to be inclusive language.
In the event that the global pandemic lasts through the current school year or possibly beyond, how would you work with state educational officials to ensure that relevant state and federal educational guarantees for students with disabilities are adhered to, and do you believe that it is possible to appropriately educate students with disabilities remotely or through virtual education?
I would work with our state agengies but also talk to my local disability advocates to make sure that we are doing everything possible for our disabled students. No I do not believe it is appropriately possible to educate students with disabilities in the long term remotely or through virtual education. Our kids who do not have a disability have a tough go at it so we should make every effort to make sure we can assist these students with a disability.
In recent years, the state legislature has devoted much attention to the issue of mental health service delivery and crisis response systems in state public schools. In your opinion, how should the state work to ensure that the mental health needs of its students are met, and what reforms are needed to provide adequate mental health and crisis response services in our schools? When, if ever, is it appropriate for schools to initiate involuntary examinations for its students under the Florida Mental Health Act (“the Baker Act”)?
I believe the mental health needs are not being met for our students. One counselor for 3,000 students is not effective! I think it's a start -- we pushed for a mental health day for students but we also have to make sure that there is followup for each student if they are going through something. NEVER appropriate for a school to initiate a Baker Act. It has got way out of control.
It has become apparent that COVID-19 spreads most easily in institutional and congregate living arrangements. If elected, how would you work to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of persons with disabilities and reduce other forms of congregate living in favor of serving persons with disabilities in their own homes or the community both during and after the current pandemic? What will you do to ensure that people with psychiatric disabilities are afforded the services they need to succeed in their own homes and communities and avoid psychiatric hospitalization?
If we can adequately increase the Ibudet for people with disabilities, I would like to see people being treated in their own homes when more appropriate. Depending on the psychiatric disability we would have to look into that for own home servicing.
Even before the pandemic began and massive job losses ensued, 2.7 million Floridians were uninsured. Research shows that under normal circumstances the uninsured have much greater challenges accessing health care, and these disparities are exacerbated during a health crisis. Do you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program to cover adults (19-64) with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level to provide more than 800,000 Floridians with coverage? Why or why not? Do you support proposals to utilize a “block grant” or “per capita cap” approach to contain Medicaid spending? Why or why not?
Yes, I do support expanding the state's Medicaid program We have paid into it and we should become the 38th state to get approval! We are going to finally accept federal funding which our taxes have paid into and expand Medicaid the the state so we can stop using emergency rooms for general health care and save lives We need to lower prescription drug prices as well. We will more than ever fight for the disabled! I do not support loack grants because it reduces services.
Despite the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) and related state and federal laws, the unemployment rate of people with disabilities continues to be much higher than that of people without disabilities. If elected, how would you work to promote meaningful opportunities for supported employment and competitive, integrated employment of people with disabilities in the state? What policies do you advocate to support the academic and career success of students with disabilities, especially for students from historically marginalized communities and backgrounds?
I have worked in the philanthropic segment of our society. it is important that people with disabilities have a meaningful life and part of that is a job and career. To meet people, have friends, enjoy our society. We must ensure that all people enjoy the same rights and privileges as others. Programs must be set up in communities particularly those that are marginalized.
Nationwide it is believed that there are more than 750,000 people with disabilities who are incarcerated, and many of these individuals face substantial barriers to reentry when they complete their sentences and return home. What reforms do you support to ensure that returning citizens with disabilities have the resources, skills and mental health supports to succeed when they complete their sentences?
We need to make sure that they have the training as anyone else coming out of an incarcerated system. Open Cafe in Tampa works with former felons. We need places such as the McDonald Center to help us put a system in place for those that may be coming out of the jail.
What is your experience working with people with disabilities or alongside disability-led organizations? Please provide examples of your experience addressing and responding to disability issues or describing disability advocacy efforts you have participated in either personally, professionally, or while in elected office if applicable. If elected, how would you integrate the input and perspectives of people with disabilities in your office’s planning and legislative efforts?
I have been involved in my community for years with Karen Clay and Mike Phillips who are leading advocates for the disabled in our community. I actually organized the first ever Disability Luncheon this past year. A luncheon with speakers focused on the disabled and a auction. This was primarily to help them get some cash flow for our local Hillsborough County Disabled Caucus. I am happy to say we had a sold out venue and raised over $7k! I have been dealing with the disabled since my grandmother took me on a local bus trip with disabled parishioners from our church. I will fight for the most marginalized in our society and listen to our experts on what is needed. I will then fight to make sure they get what is needed.