Please find below latest updated and approved Terms of Reference, as of September 18, 2021.
Terms of Reference for the Global Disability Caucus (GDC)
The mission of Democrats Abroad’s Global Disability Caucus is to provide a voice for individuals with disabilities across its global membership. As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), an individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Democrats Abroad’s Global Disability Caucus will organize a disability rights agenda; work with allies within the Democratic Party and disability rights groups to ensure that all activities and venues are accessible; advocate on proposed legislation addressing disability rights; and educate and empower Democrats Abroad members and leaders about the issues impacting persons with disabilities.
Disability is a public health issue, with over 1 billion people (or 15%) in the world living with some form of disability. This number is increasing, in part due to ageing aging populations and an increase in awareness and better diagnosis of chronic health issues. Disability is extremely diverse -- from physical and psychiatric disabilities to learning disabilities, blindness, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders and brain injuries. However, all people with a disability have the same general healthcare needs as everyone else and need access to mainstream healthcare services. The reality, though, is that few countries, including the United States, provide adequate quality services for those with a disability. Prohibitive costs, limited availability of services, physical barriers and inadequate skills/knowledge on the part of health workers are among the barriers faced.
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We recognize and appreciate that all of the various groups, ethnicities, persuasions, identities, and beliefs that make up American society are present; we share issues and concerns in common with the other DA caucuses. Discrimination has no place in Democrats Abroad and its ancillary organizations (e.g. country committees, chapters, interest groups, caucuses, etc.), nor the Global Disability Caucus.
GOALS
● Reach out to members with disabilities and special needs, as well as their dependents living abroad, to encourage them to register to vote and to engage them in advocacy for our policy positions;
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● Introduce and ensure www.VoteFromAbroad.org, Drop-in-Voter-Assistance and Voter-Outreach efforts follow digital accessibility guidelines and are better suited for Americans with disabilities living abroad;
ACTIONS
● Facilitate get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts for U.S. Citizens with disabilities; and also develop sensible and sensitive GOTV strategies for encouraging persons with disabilities living overseas;
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● Work with DNC Disability Council, Municipal, County and State Democratic Parties to ensure that there is a platform that represents Americans with disabilities;
RESPONSIBILITIES
● Work within the DA structure and its rules;
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● From time to time, review and update the GDC’s Terms of Reference for submission to the DPCA Executive Committee for approval;
ORGANIZATION & STRUCTURE
Confirmed membership in the Global Disability Caucus shall be restricted to members of Democrats Abroad.
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FOUNDING MEMBER
GLOBAL DISABILITY CAUCUS
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Kenneth Sherman (Canada)
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FOUNDING MEMBER
GLOBAL DISABILITY CAUCUS
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Marnie Delaney (France)
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FOUNDING MEMBER
GLOBAL DISABILITY CAUCUS
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Denise Roig (Canada)
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FOUNDING MEMBER
GLOBAL DISABILITY CAUCUS
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Allyssa Schoenemann (Germany)
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FOUNDING MEMBER
GLOBAL DISABILITY CAUCUS
[Draft.7 | Version drafted on August 31, 2021 | Approved by the DPCA ExCom on September 18, 2021]