Video of a deputy dumping a man out of his wheelchair.



A Florida deputy sheriff and three colleagues have been suspended after a security camera caught her dumping a quadriplegic man from a wheelchair onto the floor. Brian Sterner, the former director of the Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center, was being booked on a traffic-related charge. Although he can drive a car fitted with hand controls, he has been using a wheelchair since he injured his spinal cord in a wrestling accident in 1994. “She said, ‘Stand up.’ I said, ‘I can’t I’m a quadriplegic,’” he told the St. Petersburg Times. “Next thing I know, I don’t see anyone and I feel the wheelchair being pushed up.” The case has attracted national attention since a local television station aired the tape. Sterner’s lawyer is pushing for criminal charges and Florida’s attorney general has called for a civil rights review. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has apologized, labeling the incident “indefensible.”

Candidates for political office are judged on many factors including foreign policy, healthcare plans and domestic issues to name just a few. Those of us with disabilities look beyond these criteria and consider how a candidate might respond to our issues which include upholding the ADA and other disability legislation, potential decisions they might make on Medicare and Medicaid funding, and their experience with disability issues. As America determines who the candidates for President will be, its imperative that we know and understand their positions on issues that impact our community. DN56 examines the candidates and what they've said about disability issues so far.

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With the 2008 Presidential Primary season well underway and Super Tuesday in our rear view mirror, we’re starting to find out more about the candidates and who might appear on the ballot this November. As people with disabilities, its vital that we understand just what the candidates support and what we might expect if they are elected. This episode features position statements made by the three major candidates for President including Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama.

This episode also features an interview with Sue Suter, Associate Commissioner of Employment Programs with the Social Security Administration. Sue has oversight of the Ticket to Work program and talked with me about some pending changes to the program. It is expected that new regulations that govern the program will be released later this year, hopefully resulting in a stronger and broader program for people with disabilities who want to work.

Do you have a comment or suggestion for DisabilityNation? To contact DisabilityNation just call 480-302-9300. You can leave a voice message or listen to episodes of the show. You can also contact DisabilityNation by email. Send email to contact@disabilitynation.net

A reader passed on another Steve Novick video that I thought I'd share as well. He sounds like an interesting candidate. The diversity in the political process this election year is great.



Thanks to PDXPerspectives.

Steve Novick is a candidate for United States Senate from the state of Oregon. He's not your typical candidate though. Check out this video.



The next episode of DisabilityNation will be available later next week. The show will feature interviews with The Civil Liberties Association of British Columbia and hopefully a representative from the Canadian Association for Community Living. We will discuss Robert Latimer and the recent happenings with his case and some of the broader issues at work in this situation. Stay tuned for what should be an interesting show.

DN55 takes a look at the movie Strong Love. Strong Love is the story of world-class weight lifter Jon Shapiro and his childhood sweetheart Holly James, both of whom were born with down syndrome. This documentary follows the couple over the course of three years, starting with their decision to get married. Their challenges, their triumphs, and their complex, sometimes surprising relationships with family and friends are at the heart of this inspiring film.

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Since its premier in late 2007, Strong Love has garnered a number of positive reviews and the attention of many. The documentary features the true story of two people, both born with down syndrome who fall in love, marry, and both the successes and challenges they face because of this decision. The movie explores many important themes including love, sexuality, marriage, and more down to earth issues such as managing a home and maintaining relationships. John and Holly are living an experience that not long ago would have been thought of as impossible or not socially acceptable for people with their disabilities.

DN55 features an interview with Dixie James. Her daughter Holly is featured in the film. Dixie shares her story as a mother of a child with downs and the happiness and pride she has as a mom. We discuss the film, how it happened and how she and others in the community provide the supports that John and Holly need to live and work independently. You can learn more about Strong Love and purchase the DVD by visiting this page.

Do you have a comment or suggestion for DisabilityNation? To contact DisabilityNation just call 480-302-9300. You can leave a voice message or listen to episodes of the show. You can also contact DisabilityNation by email. Send email to contact@disabilitynation.net

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