People with Disabilities for Steve Novick

by Pam VanderVeer

3
Supporters 70
Raised  

Oregon’s disability community, and the nation’s, has been given a golden opportunity this primary season: To elect one of our own to serve in Oregon’s congressional delegation as a US Senator.

Steve Novick, who graduated Harvard law school at age 21 and has been a civil rights attorney for over 20 years, has a very significant and obvious disability. He stands at 4’9” and was born without a left hand and without the fibulas in both of his legs. Although his career has focused mainly on the environment and education, he is a powerful champion of disability rights legislation, such as the ADA Restoration Act and the Community Choice Act. He supports the US’s signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and if elected Senator, will champion Senate ratification of this landmark human rights treaty. Steve believes in Universal Healthcare and that it should fund services and supports that enable people with disabilities to live independently (ie: personal care assistance). As he says on his website,

“I strongly believe that everyone is entitled to full civil rights, regardless of any physical, mental, developmental or cognitive disability. As a U.S. Senator, I’ll fight to pass the Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act. In addition, I’ll be an outspoken advocate on disability issues – encouraging personal empowerment and promoting community organizing to close the accessibility gap in America.”

The Oregonian announced its endorsement of Steve on April 26th:

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2008/04/for_democratic_senate_nominee.html

In recent polls measuring voter preference, Steve is the leading candidate:

http://www.novickforsenate.com/katuap_poll_shows_merkley_trailing_novick_double_digits
As one of the few politicians with a disability, Steve needs the support of the disability community. So, if you are a member of the disability community, Steve needs your support. No matter the way in which disability touches your life, Steve Novick is the candidate we can count on to champion the issues that effect all of us.

If you use this link to donate to Steve’s campaign, your donation will be noted as being from a member of the disability community. Such designation helps foster an atmosphere of participation that is sorely needed in our community when it comes to political involvement. Show your support today!

For more information on Steve Novick as a champion of disability rights, you can read this article by Janine Bertram Kemp from the Oct. 2007 issue of Independence Today:

http://www.itodaynews.com/october2007/candidate-dis-running.htm

Thank you, and all contributions are greatly appreciated.

[If you are a resident of Oregon, If you are an individual with taxable income of $2,400 or more, you may give up to $50 to political campaigns and get it all back (every dollar) as a state income tax credit. A couple filing a joint return can give $100 and get it all back, if your income is at least $4,800. Those with lower incomes can get back amounts contributed, up to their total state income tax withheld or otherwise paid.]