The Guardian (UK): "What Disability Agenda?"

In "What Disability Agenda?" in the Guardian (United Kingdom), Ben Adler writes, "Sarah Palin says she's an advocate for special needs children, but she hasn't backed up her rhetoric with actual proposals....So far Palin's pledge to lead on disability issues because of her personal connection to the community has not been developed into more than mere rhetoric. And unless she specifies what exactly she would do for disabled children as vice president, she risks creating the impression that all she is really seeking with that rhetoric is political reward."

Baltimore Sun: "Friendship Isn't Enough"

In an op-ed titled "Friendship Isn't Enough," the Baltimore Sun's editors say, "What do families of children with disabilities need from the next president? Not just a 'friend' in the White House but a willingness to pay for services they need."

The op-ed points out that the proposed Community Choice Act would require all states and the federal government to make such services for disabled American more widely available. While Sen. McCain doesn't support the bill, Sen. Obama is a co-sponsor. It continues:

"There are any number of other government programs that are desperately in need of help from a friend in the White House. Special education is supposed to receive 40 percent federal financing and now gets closer to 17 percent. Personal care service providers, who are vital to keeping disabled people living independently, are chronically underpaid and, because of that, difficult to find and retain. The candidates' views on these matters are reflected on their websites. Mr. Obama's includes a nine-page treatise on his plans to help the disabled, including full funding for special education. Mr. McCain's 14 core campaign issues include the Second Amendment and the space program but not the disabled....

"Mr. McCain still has time to come around on these issues and offer specific remedies in the weeks ahead. Having a poster mom for families caring for a disabled child on the ticket is not enough -- particularly for aging seniors who can no longer care for middle-aged children. Friendship is nice, but families need a government willing to invest more in the future of children who require a little help if they are to live full and productive lives."

Education Week: Palin Still Light on Plans

I like to cite credible sources, and I consider Education Week a pretty good source on education issues. Christina Samuels, an Education Week reporter on special education, notes that in Gov. Palin's recent speech in Colorado, she talked about the needs of people with disabilities but offered no solutions -- only talking (vaguely) about the need for research.

Samuels writes: "Just like with McCain's speech at the Republican National Convention, I'm left wondering why there was no mention of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. The opening was right there, but Palin made a quick pivot from talking about people currently living with disabilities to curing diseases. Also, the disability advocates I've had the opportunity to interview seem to care less about government obstruction, and more about just having enough funding to explore the topics they consider important." Read more.