AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT HIGHLIGHTED
by Sharon Rondeau
(Jul. 27, 2016) — At 2:57 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, an apparent replay of the second day of the 2016 Democratic National Convention was shown on the “live” feed from the convention website.
Rep. Marcia Fudge (OH-11) had gaveled in the day and, invoking the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), said that the DNC’s goal is to enable even more disabled individuals to join the workforce.
A Muslim imam titled “Reverend” then said an invocation, beginning presumably in Arabic. His prayer said that America has “compromised” “too many black lives,” “including the lives of law enforcement.” He asked that America seek to acknowledge its shortcomings and improve on its inclusiveness.
A young blind man sang the national anthem a capella.
A five-man color guard then marched across the convention stage, after which former Rep. Tom Harkin was introduced as the first speaker.
Like Fudge, Harkin celebrated that “26 years ago today” the ADA was passed “because the disability community understood and knew what Hillary Clinton knows: we are stronger together,” invoking the convention’s mantra.
Harkin said that at present, 70% of those with disabilities in the U.S. are unemployed and that Clinton, then the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee, believes that that should change.
On Tuesday night, Clinton officially was nominated through a roll call vote and upon the acclamation of Sen. Bernie Sanders, Clinton’s only primary rival after former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley suspended his campaign early on.
The replay of Tuesday’s speakers included Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, IBEW Local 2222 President Feeney, and a woman from Vermont, all of whom nominated Sanders for president.
The website indicates “2016 Live” above the video box.
Wednesday’s convention officially starts at 4:30 p.m.