This race offers a key teaching moment about disability
Media portrayal of Fetterman’s recovery from a stroke has been the subject of controversy in recent weeks. Many disability rights advocates have criticized the way in which Fetterman’s opponents and some reporters have highlighted his need for closed captioning during interviews as he deals with auditory processing issues in the aftermath of his stroke. Debate organizers have agreed to allow Fetterman to use closed captioning tonight.
Keep in mind: Reasonable accommodations should not disqualify a candidate.
As Liz Plank wrote for MSNBC Daily earlier this month:
“Disabled Americans have the right to be represented, and most importantly, to work, and that includes working for the U.S. government. An employer wouldn’t be allowed to refuse to hire a person because they have a hearing or speech difference, so why is it acceptable when it comes to holding office?”
Read Liz’s full story below:
Doctor says Fetterman has no work restrictions
After Fetterman recently sat down with NBC News and used captioning during the interview, his recovery from a stroke in May took center stage in the race.
Last week, Fetterman’s campaign released a letter from his primary care physician saying the candidate “has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office.”
Summarizing an Oct. 14 exam, Dr. Clifford Chen said Fetterman “spoke intelligently without cognitive deficits” and continued to “exhibit symptoms of an auditory processing disorder which can come across as hearing difficulty.”
Finally, a chance to focus on the issues (hopefully)
Earlier this year, Fetterman caught the attention of progressives and leftists across the nation because of his effectiveness in acting as a messenger for sweeping progressive policies while appearing like a normal dude you might run into at the gym.
Two things shifted attention away from that point of focus. First, Fetterman experienced a stroke in May, which moved the conversation away from his policies and toward his health status and recovery. Secondly, Fetterman has effectively homed in on the personal qualities of his Trump-backed opponent — such as Oz’s all-too-convenient recent residency in Pennsylvania, and a tendency to call veggie trays “crudités “ — instead of ideological debate.
Tonight is an exciting opportunity to get back to the issues, and for Fetterman to make a fresh case to Pennsylvanians that his vision for the future is a better one.