Contributed by: Ed Carter, AbleFutures
Running for public office means putting yourself in a position where you can make a difference in the world around you. You have an opportunity to have your voice heard and to represent for causes that impact your community. Unfortunately, there is a woefully low proportion of the number of people with disabilities in the United States that hold a public office. Want to do something about it? There was never a better time to get started than right now.
Why is it important?
Just like the racial minority, there is a proportionately small number of people with disabilities sitting in public offices at all levels. According to the World Bank, around 15% of the global population lives with some form of a disability. If you think about that in terms of your own hometown, that’s 15 out of every 100 people. When you consider these 15 people’s families, friends, business associates, and more, virtually all people are in close contact with and care for a person with a disability.
Representation by those with disabilities is one of the best ways to ensure equal rights and that nondiscriminatory practices are upheld for everyone. That’s why it’s so important to stand up for what you believe in. And if you are so inclined, even shooting for something as local as the school board can have a positive impact on your community.
Running for office
Unfortunately, there is no cookie-cutter process for running for office. But, for most, the first step is determining an area, usually in your city or county, that could be improved. As a person living with disabilities, you might, for example, advocate for day camps for children with disabilities, such as autism.
Once you’ve made the decision to get involved, it’s time to put together a support network. This should, at the very least, include a campaign manager, marketing professional, and tech guru. You can find these via social media, by participating in community forums or joining groups of like-minded individuals. If you are looking to hire freelance developer, you can almost always find those on Upwork, often for less than you would pay a local since this can be done remotely. Your web developer can update your website and work with your marketing staff to ensure online visibility.
The requirements
All public offices may only be filled by people that meet that office's minimum requirements. These are written in statutes or code. Dummies explains that these statutes might include anything from where you live to the responsibilities you are expected to take on. Although there may be some exceptions, most offices require you to live in the district in which you are running. It also helps if you have a direct interest in what that office represents. For example, if your goal is to have more inclusive playgrounds in a particular city, you should live within the city limits.
When you are ready to run for office, you want your campaign materials together and then form a plan. It’s always better to get your name out into the public months before the election. Make sure that your social media pages are set up and that you have plenty of brochures and pamphlets on hand that accurately explain why you are running for office and what you plan to do once you are there.
Keep in mind that your campaign efforts may not pay off, particularly if you are a newcomer to the game. But getting out and canvassing does help to increase voter turnout, and that can work to your cause’s advantage even if you aren’t put into a place of authority.
If you’re truly ready to make a difference in your world, running for office is a surefire way to do it. As a person with a disability, you are in an excellent position to speak to the needs of the many others in your shoes. Remember, silence never leads to the outcome you desire. The best way to get what you want and what your community needs is to stand up and represent those whose voices need to be heard the most.
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