Candidate Responses

lori deyoung

Candidate for State Representative

District 104

lori.deyoung@yahoo.com

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CIVIL RIGHTS

Do you believe that people with disabilities have the same rights as anyone else?

YES

Do you believe that individuals with disabilities should be the primary decision maker in their lives?

YES

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Will you make it a priority to include people with disabilities as part of your political team and/or as advisors on relevant issues?

YES

If YES, how do you intend to do so?

Individuals with disabilities should be included at the table to discuss, make recommendations, and participate in decision-making on issues that affect their lives and the lives of their family. When legislative issues come to my attention, I will contact Illinois disability organizations requesting their assistance to identify interested individuals in my district who will help me develop informed decisions. I will also make a commitment to recommending those individuals to sit at the table as active decision makers when appointed board member positions become available.

TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Do you support legislative measures to require that Internet technologies be made accessible to and usable by people with disabilities in Illinois?

YES

What measures would you propose to ensure that consumer electronic and telecommunications devices are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities in Illinois?

I would make recommendations and support legislation that requires the involvement of people with disabilities and disability organizations in those initiatives that identify, develop, implement, and evaluate necessary modifications in consumer electronic and telecommunications devices. There also needs to be efforts for training and awareness seminars on how to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities in retail settings.

INTEGRATED COMMUNITY LIVING

Do you support funding mechanisms, such as "Money Follows the Person," that allow people with disabilities in Illinois who are currently unnecessarily institutionalized to move into integrated settings?

YES

How would you increase opportunities for people with disabilities in Illinois to live in the most integrated settings?

I will work with disability advocacy organizations to develop, modify, and expand legislation which will provide for caring, committed and experienced people to "foster" individuals with disabilities within their homes, when the prioritized goal of living independently cannot be initially achieved. The long-term goal should always be of helping individuals with disabilities transition into society in the most integrated setting that they desire. In spite of the recognition that some individuals might need a fostering environment, the first living option should be that of an individual living within their own apartment with personal assistance support, consisting of primarily natural supports or when necessary, paid support. Available funds should be directed toward more CILAs and independent living arrangements as well as towards training homes where the now institutionalized population can be given the skills to eventually and successfully step down to live in CILAs and independent apartments. In addition, communities need more opportunities to become familiar with and sensitive to individuals with disabilities so that there is less fear, stigma, and rejection as individuals move into those neighborhoods for independent living opportunities.

How will you address the shortage of community direct care attendants in Illinois?

Community direct care attendants are one aspect of ensuring that opportunities are available for people with disabilities to be able to live in the most integrated settings. It is very important that these individuals be compensated fairly and adequately trained so that competent and compassionate providers can be attracted and retained in the field. I will work with advocacy organizations to sponsor legislation that will protect the rights of people with disabilities to live in the most integrated settings and to be assisted, when necessary, by highly qualified staff.

HOUSING

What would you do to increase the availability of affordable, accessible, integrated housing opportunities in the community for low and moderate income people with disabilities and their families?

I will work collaboratively with advocacy organizations to ensure that legislation is sponsoredand implemented as intended so that the availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing opportunities are a reality within communities throughout the State of Illinois. Housing Authorities should be encouraged to expand housing voucher programs for individuals with disabilities in accessible units that are age appropriate settings. This is needed as rental assistance for persons with disabilities tend way too often to limit them to "senior" housing settings which causes friction between young adults with disabilities and seniors. Also, should home ownership be a priority for an individual with a disability, there needs to be more funding opportunities available within home ownership programs that are simultaneously available for persons without disabilities.

EMPLOYMENT

What steps would you take to reduce employment barriers and improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities in your district and in the entire state of Illinois?

Given that 62.7% of working age individuals with disabilities are unemployed within the State of Illinois, I believe that legislation for modifications in the recruitment, interview, and supportive employment (when needed) process, as well as resources to fully support said legislation, should become a priority. I would like to work closely with individuals with disabilities and advocacy organizations in order to address this problem so that all people, regardless of the array of disabilities, are able to actively pursue and participate in employment within areas of their interest and choice.

EDUCATION

Federal and state laws require that students with disabilities are educated in the least restrictive environment and that appropriate accommodations and support services are provided to them. How would you ensure that these laws are enforced in Illinois?

I will work closely with advocacy groups to develop and sponsor legislation which ensures that educational facilities and service delivery systems develop, and have adequate funding to address what each person needs, rather than forcing individuals simply into available programs. It is critical that efforts be made to ensure that the unique individual needs are addressed so that all people have the maximum opportunity to live and work independently as well as meet their own personal, educational, employment, and daily living goals.

HEALTHCARE

What steps would you take to ensure that people with disabilities in Illinois have access to affordable, quality health care that is responsive to their individual needs?

I will work closely with advocacy organizations to develop and sponsor legislation which will ensure that people with disabilities living within Illinois have access to affordable, quality health care that is responsive to their individual needs.

How would you improve the quality of health and rehabilitation services provided to veterans with disabilities in Illinois?

I will work closely with disability and veteran advocacy organizations to develop and sponsor legislation which will ensure that veterans with disabilities have access to and support of services to assist them with issues related to reintegration, employment retraining, healthcare, mental health - just to name a few. I will support legislation which adequately funds these service delivery areas for our service men and women.

TRANSPORTATION

What would you do to expand access to affordable, accessible transportation for people with disabilities in Illinois, especially in rural areas?

I will work closely with advocacy organizations to develop and support legislation that aims to increase coordination and planning between agencies in order to maximize limited resources for transportation opportunities, especially in the areas of work, job-related training and medical appointments.

VOTING

What steps would you take to ensure that voters with disabilities in Illinois are able to vote privately and independently?

I will work closely with advocacy organizations to develop and support legislation that aims to improve access, privacy, and independence for the voter and advocate for appropriate levels of funding to ensure that HAVA expectations are met.