Voters with Disabilities Head to Polls

Voters with disabilities are expected to vote in record numbers on Election Day, according to the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the largest cross-disability membership organization in the U.S.

About 20 million voters with disabilities are expected to cast their ballots in the general election, about a 10 percent increase from recent elections, showing America voters with disabilities are a powerful voting bloc that is gaining momentum, said Jim Dickson, Vice President for Government Affairs at AAPD.

"A 20 million strong voting bloc can easily decide a presidential election, and in this great country, elected officials respond to those who vote," Dickson said. "We look forward to working with the newly elected president, Congress and state and local officials to improve employment and living conditions for the nation's largest minority."

The estimated number of voters with disabilities expected on Election Day comes from polling data collected and analyzed by Lisa Schur and Douglas Kruse, professors at Rutgers University who has spent 15 years studying voting trends in the disability community. Data was also collected from phone banks run by state disability vote coalitions in late October, which said a higher percentage than in past election years of people with disabilities reached by phone said they would be able to vote Nov. 4 and planned to cast their ballots.

According to Dickson, the expected increase in numbers of voters with disabilities is due to a combination of the $850 million in federal funds allotted from Congress to improve voting accessibility as well as the ongoing efforts of AAPD's Disability Vote Project.

AAPD's Disability Vote Project works in a nonpartisan manner to eliminate the barriers to voting and, in close collaboration with coalition partners in states around the country, to increase political participation of individuals with disabilities.

AAPD's Disability Vote Project has coalitions in 13 states across the country and voting outreach in almost every state. For more information about the Disability Vote Project, visit AAPD's Web site at www.AAPD.com. For more information about the increase in voters with disabilities, contact Jim Dickson at 202-262-8240 or Douglas Kruse at 908-616-7841.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change -- politically, economically, and socially. AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To learn more, visit the AAPD website: www.aapd.com.

SOURCE American Association of People With Disabilities

In Other U.S. Health and Disability News

AET announced today that it has formed a unique alliance with Costco to help consumers access an affordable and comprehensive Medicare prescription drug plan. Medicare beneficiaries now have the ability to purchase the new Aetna Medicare Rx -- Costco Plus Plan, which is available in 17 states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Virginia and Washington).

The plan premiums range from $50-$70 a month, depending upon the region. In addition, there is no deductible. Consumers who sign up for this plan and have their prescriptions filled at Costco will also have a maximum co-pay of $5 for generic prescription drugs ($10 if filled at other network pharmacies), and in some cases will have no co-pay for generics.

"Aetna is committed to finding cost-effective solutions through all of our Medicare plans," said Frank McCauley, head of Aetna's Consumer Business Segment. "Teaming up with Costco, which is known for providing great value to its customers, gives us a great opportunity to reach a significant number of Medicare beneficiaries with an innovative prescription drug plan."

News for Seniors:

Seniors may see their Social Security increases next year trimmed back by higher prescription costs unless they shop for a Medicare drug plan this fall that better fits their budget. Social Security beneficiaries will get an average of $63 more each month, but part of that increase may be claimed by higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs in their drug coverage. "Seniors who enrolled in a drug plan several years ago should make sure they're still getting the best value for their dollar," said Terry Warner, president of TexMeds Inc. in Richardson. Seniors need to compare drug plans

Events

Olympia Little Theatre presents the thriller "Wait Until Dark": 7:55 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 13-15, 20-22, 28-29 and 1:55 p.m. Nov. 16, 23, 30, Olympia Little Theatre, 1925 Miller Ave. N.E., Olympia. A blind woman, stalked by murderous criminals, learns how to turn her

disability into an advantage. The Broadway play was the basis for the classic movie starring Audrey Hepburn. Cost is $10 for Thursday performances, $12 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances. Call 360-786-9484 or go to www.olympialittletheater.org.