Candidate Responses

kent e delay

Candidate for State Representative

District 99

1330 S. Lowell Ave
Springfield, IL 62704

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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 - 2/3 of my team are people with disabilities.

If YES, how do you intend to do so?

I will hire people with disabilities contractually to assist me with different tasks (i.e. research, constituant issues, constituant communication by phone and mail.)

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 need input from persons who are experiencing unaccessible and unstable conditions to give me ideas on what improvements need to be made.

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 - I want assisted living facilities like we now have for senior citizens to be federally subsidized. These facilities would provide 3 meals a day, weekly cleaning of units, and assistance if needed.

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

We need to build affordable and accessible housing near bus stops, grocery stores and other conveinences for accessibility in residential neighborhoods.

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

Direct care attendants need to be a profession regulated by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. I would require background checks, disciplinary actions or abuse be reported and tracked. Also, continuing education requirements for direct care attendants. This will help establish a recognizable profession with the respect, pay and benefits to go along with the licensurer.

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?

First we need Federal funding and matching state funds to develop housing in all areas of the state. We can administer most of this program thru our existing housing authorities in various communities.

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?

Establish an employer tax credit and enforce the ADA, which would include closing the gap with the SSA and the State of Illinois on the amount you may earn before being reviewed for "substantial wage earnings." This amount needs to be $800 per month both state and federally.

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?

Obviously funding needs to increase, not only to make outdated schools physically accessible, but up to date with technology such as computer labs. We must also change the laws for teacher aides to enforce penalties on the schools for not providing assisted learning when required by law.

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?

First, Medicaid needs to be totally rehabed. Second, we need to support healthy and independent services.

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

Standards need to be changed and more quality locations need to be made available.

TRANSPORTATION

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

I am open to your ideas. Where buses are available it should be free, as it now is for senior citizens.

VOTING

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

This is another issue we need to discuss with our disabled community to address what is proper and helpful to make this "right" accessible for everyone.