504 Democratic Club: Questionnaires (Candidate for Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman's response)

Candidate Name: Eric T. Schneiderman

Contact Person: James Freedland

Campaign Address: 131 Varick Street, New York, N.Y. 10013

Phone: (212) 242 - 5301

Fax: (212) 242 - 5304

Email: Jfreedland@schneiderman.org

Website: http://www.ericschneiderman.com/

Endorsements: Congressman Jerry Nadler, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Assemblymembers Danny O'Donnell and Micah Kellner, State Senators Liz Krueger and Velmanette Montgomery and over 50 other elected officials.

Stonewall Democrats, Citizen Action of New York, Long Island Progressive Coalition and nearly two dozen other Democratic clubs.

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, SEIU Local, 32BJ, United Auto Workers, Regions 9 and 9a, Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association, Local 831

How have you incorporated people with disabilities into your campaign?

After being awarded ballot access at the Democratic Convention two weeks ago, I am proud to have recently started the real campaign for Attorney General. In the months ahead, I expect to run an aggressive field operation that will include a diverse volunteer base, including individuals with disabilities.
If there is a Campaign office(s) is it wheelchair accessible?

My campaign office is wheelchair accessible, and we specifically sought office space that would accommodate all New Yorkers. All office space I use as a New York State Senator, including my district office, is wheelchair accessible.
What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities in your personal life and in the workplace?

I served as Governor David Paterson's top deputy for four years when he served as Senate Minority Leader. Governor Paterson and I worked very closely together, and I was inspired by his tenacity and grace as he confronted and conquered challenges relating to his vision impairment. I have also relied on the input from various community leaders and disability advocates in addressing my work.
What type of jobs would you be willing to hire and to provide reasonable accommodation (e.g. flex or part time) for staff members with disabilities?

Because I hire based on merit, I would hire an individual with disabilities for any position on my staff. I do not view surrounding myself with the best and brightest individuals who share my commitment to progressive change and equal justice under the law as an accommodation, but rather as a privilege.
While in public office and/or prior to this campaign, what have you accomplished in regard to advancing disability rights? This can include work towards accessible housing, transportation, employment, health care, education, and including people with disabilities in the political process.

I recently sponsored S2349 which ensures disability rent income exemptions are continued under changes in the law regarding how tenants' are billed for electricity thereby securing the highest exemption under the law for people with disabilities. I co-sponsored the "Dignity for Students Act" (S1987) which guarantees disabled students in public schools an environment free from harassment and discrimination. I was also a co-sponsor of S6728 that established individuals who endanger the welfare of a physically disabled person shall be guilty of a felony. Furthermore, I was a strong supporter of Timothy's Law, and worked to ensure its passage.
Will you commit to only attend and/or sponsor events that are accessible to people with disabilities including providing written materials in alternate formats, providing assistive listening systems, and sign language interpreters, as well as ensuring that locations are accessible to people who use mobility aids, like wheelchairs and walkers?

I always make sure the events I sponsor are accessible to people with disabilities, and insist on accessibility when we co-sponsor an event with another individual. It remains difficult to rely on the assurances of third parties when we have to host an event at a site we have not seen in advance, but accessibility is an issue we always take into account.
Do you pledge to use your office to affirm or strengthen, rather than weaken, civil rights protections to persons with disabilities?

Just as I have used my current public office to advance civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities through legislation, I welcome the opportunity as New York State Attorney General to make the enforcement these and all laws that protect the rights on persons with disabilities a priority for the Attorney General's Civil Rights Bureau.
How do you propose your active involvement/availability to the disability community? Will there be a specific person in your office responsible to this community? Will have regular office agenda meetings on these issues? What would you do to have direct contact with our community?

As Attorney General, I would recognize that part of my Civil Rights Bureau's aggressive enforcement of state and federal laws that protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination is immediately identifying instances when these violations occur. Having an open line of communication with those most affected is key to ensuring that these offenses are prosecuted before they become a pervasive pattern of discrimination.
How will you work closely with the disability community to assure passage of vitally needed legislation? What will be your strategy?

I have always worked closely with advocates to pass legislation that would expand justice. Successful legislation or initiatives rarely occur without a close partnership with the impacted communities. I am committed to continuing my relationship with the disability community to promote justice in New York State.
If you are an incumbent,
1. Is your present office/work place accessible to people with disabilities? If not, what have you done to rectify the inaccessibility?
  
  I insist that each of the offices I maintain, including my state office, district offices, and campaign offices are accessible to persons with disabilities. As Attorney General, I would insist on this same standard, and would undertake an immediate review to ensure that this is the case in the offices across the state.
2. What oversight have you performed regarding implementation of programs/legislation passed previously?
  
  I worked hard to pass the SHU legislation. Last year, when the Executive budget did not provide adequate funding to implement the legislation, I advocated, with a number of my Democratic colleagues, to ensure that the change in procedure received the necessary funding.
Do you support a waiver of the state's sovereign immunity claims under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

I support S2833, legislation that will waive the state's sovereign immunity claims under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Due to the comprehensive implications of this legislation, I have worked deliberatively with my colleagues in the legislature to ensure this is legislation that can be enacted this session, and have placed this bill on the agenda for the Codes Committee on June 10th.
While localities have acquired voting machines that attempt to meet the accessibility standards of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), many poling places in New York State remain inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Do you favor the elimination of provisions in Section 4-104 (1-a) of the NYS Election Law allowing waiver of polling place accessibility standards?

I strongly favor elimination Section 4-104(1-a) of the New York State Election Law as it pertains to accessibility standards, and I am co-sponsor on S7860 which will repeal this section of law.
How do you propose dealing with school districts that deny civil rights to disabled students even after the State Division of Civil Rights affirms the student's rights such as to use a service animal?

As Attorney General, I would unequivocally enforce the civil rights of disabled students against school districts that would seek to deny these rights. All students must be afforded the best education possible, and that is why I championed the "Dignity for Students Act" as a State Senator. As Attorney General, I would welcome the opportunity to enforce these protections for disabled students, as well as any federal or state law that would improve the educational environment for students with disabilities.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires housing developers to set aside a certain percentage of accessible units for persons with disabilities when federal funds are used for construction. Do you favor incorporating these provisions into State law so that the Dept. of Housing and Community Renewal can be empowered to enforce these provisions?

Absolutely. As Attorney General, I would have the authority to enforce the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and I would seek to enjoin the construction of any proposed housing development that does not comply with the provisions of the Act.
Persons with disabilities have historically been under-represented within the Democratic Party leadership. According to the 2000 census, persons with disabilities comprised 20.6% of New York State residents and 23.1% of those 18 years and older. Previously, we were told that only those groups included in the Voting Rights Act were included in the goals and timetables for delegate selection. Yet the lesbian and gay communities were included for the first time at the 2000 convention and again at the 2004 and 2008 conventions. Would you support a campaign to set a goal that 10% of the total New York State Delegation to the 2012 Democratic National Convention be comprised of persons with disabilities?

I would actively support any campaign to make certain that New York's residents with disabilities are fairly represented in any political process, not just at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. If we are going to be a Democratic Party that advocates for progressive values and equal justice then we are mandated by our ideals and principles that all of New York's residents have access to the political process.

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