Carol Schwartz for Mayor
1005 Seventh Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 393-7300 - Fax (202) 639-8738

Responses to Association for Retarded Citizens questionnaire.

1. What experience do you have with issues related to people with disabilities and how have those experiences prepared you to serve as an elected official?

My experience with people with disabilities has been life-long. My brother, Johnny, l8 months my senior and my only sibling, is mentally retarded. My parents worked full time, so from childhood I took care of him. At the age of l l, in Midland, Texas, I collected money for the March of Dimes. As a teenager, I organized my fellow students — raised the money, hired a bus, purchased the tickets — to take 30 disabled children to see the Ice Capades. I majored in special education at the University of Texas and when I first came to Washington 33 years ago, I worked as a special education teacher for three years. And now, nearly 40 years later, my volunteer and monetary contributions to the disabled continues. I know first-hand the challenges disabled people face. I also know that they can accomplish and contribute much, if given the opportunity. Both my family life and my professional career as a teacher instilled in me the compassion that I think is essential in an elected official. It has taught me to be ever mindful of the concerns of all people, leaving no one out. I have incorporated this philosophy into deliberations as a member of the DC Board of Education and as a legislator, and in my day-to-day life. One of my major missions as mayor will be to bring people together. Experience has taught me that familiarity with all kinds of people — no matter where they live. what they do or what their capabilities are - breeds tolerance and even warmth.

2. What are your plans to provide adequate and appropriate services and support to people with disabilities in the District of Columbia?

As mayor, I will be an advocate for people with disabilities. I will be ever watchful on their behalf. I will make certain that the citizens in the District of Columbia who are disabled achieve a better quality of life. I will accomplish this by first educating the public about the concerns and needs of our citizens who are disabled and by celebrating their accomplishments. I will work to ensure that every District of Columbia building is accessible to all disabled citizens. Equal access to education, health care, governmental programs and support services, housing and job training will be a priority in my administration. I want to mainstream our disabled where possible. I think it unconscionable that our government must send our disabled students out of the District in order for them to receive an adequate education. I will work with the Board of Education to ensure students can be educated near their homes. Quality programs should exist here it is not only the fiscally responsible thing to do, it is the right thing. I will insist that the Recreation Department offer programs for disabled youth and adults. I will work with the business community to get them to develop training programs and jobs for our disabled population. The key to adequate and appropriate services for people with disabilities is investment in them. We must invest in our disabled citizens so that they can achieve independence. As mayor, I plan to make that investment.