Disability Rights Pennsylvania’s Statement on Coverage of U.S. Senate Race in Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 2022

Contact:  Peri Jude Radecic, Chief Executive Officer

Disability Rights Pennsylvania

301 Chestnut Street, Suite 300

Harrisburg, PA 17101

Phone: 717-236-8110 x 302

Email:  pradecic@disabilityrightspa.org

Disability Rights Pennsylvania’s Statement on Coverage of U.S. Senate Race in Pennsylvania

Recent coverage of the Pennsylvania United States Senate race has focused on candidate Lt. Governor John Fetterman as he recovers from a stroke.  During interviews he has used closed captioning, which he also used in the recent debate.  The news coverage has been critical of the accommodations used by Fetterman.  The reporting implies there is something wrong with using technology or other accommodations. This is not true.  Accommodations and accessibility benefit everyone.  The reporting is reinforcing stigma around disability, stroke recovery and is harmful to the disability community.

In addition, commentary both on social media and in the press has used ableist and derogatory language to describe disability.  Derogatory language used against people with disabilities is unacceptable. DRP will continue to advocate for those who are living with disabilities as they advocate for themselves and show up as their whole selves.  We will continue to advocate for a Commonwealth where people of all abilities are equal and free.