Candidate Responses

Rita Maniotis

Candidate for State Representative

District 21

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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?

I will seek out the advice and counsel of those with disabilities with whom I already work.

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?

Require that the devices or at least one model in the line is accessible and usable by persons with disabilities.

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?

Through legislation that allows, even mandates, that money now used for people in institutions to be used in integrated settings.

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

I would expand programs to help place attendants and work for a living wage and benefits for attendants.

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?

Developers should be required to build housing that meets accessibility standards for those with 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?

I am open to recommendations by advocate groups.

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 am open to recommendations by advocate groups.

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 support HB 311 which would provide health care for all in the state of Illinois.

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

This is a federal issue, however veterans with disabilities would be covered under universal healthcare HB 311.

TRANSPORTATION

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

Mass transit needs to be expanded throughout the state. High traffic areas need to have back up systems for elevators on the blink - this should be required!

VOTING

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

The steps are already in place. Each precinct is supposed to have one touch tone machine set up for those with seeing or hearing impairments.