504 Democratic Club: Questionnaires (Candidate for District Leader Part A of Assembly District 35 Hayden D. Horsham's response)

Candidate Name: Hayden D. Horsham

Address: 25-64 99th Street, East Elmhurst, N.Y. 11369

Candidate for A.D. 35 Part A Borough: Queens

Phone: 646-373-6880

Fax: 347-730-5926

Email: haydenhorsham@aol.com

Candidate for party office
District Leader, A.D. 35 Part A

Please describe any experience with disability you have had in your life or career.

My older brother is a member of UCP and suffers from seizure disorders and cannot work. We are close and I have witnessed his disability and his life.
Does the club to which you are affiliated have a headquarters that is accessible to persons with motor and sensory disabilities?

Yes, and I see many who are disabled come and go.
When choosing locations for meetings and fundraisers for your club, is physical accessibility a deciding factor?

Definitely! We are and I am aware of many who want to support my efforts and are disabled. So I seek accessibility.
Many local clubs and several Democratic County organizations (including Queens) have their headquarters in inaccessible locations. Do you believe that local clubs are required under the ADA and National and State Party Rules to hold meetings and other public events in locations that are accessible to persons with disabilities?

Yes.
Are there any persons with disabilities active in your club? Do you have any officers or Executive Board members with disabilities?

No, yet my focus will be to invite ANYONE whether they are disabled or not. Everyone should be able to attend all meetings.
Have you run candidates with disabilities for Party office, such as County Committee and Judicial Convention Delegates?

I am a first.
Has your club made efforts to attract new members with disabilities?

Everyone is welcome.
Have you sought to replace inaccessible polling places in your area with accessible ones?

I will make a commitment when I am elected to do so.
Have you appointed persons with disabilities as election workers?

I am a first time candidate.
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 all residents in New York State and 23.1% of population 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 convention. Would you support a campaign to set a goal that 10% of the total New York State Delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention be comprised of persons with disabilities?

Yes, I will work with you to achieve this goal.

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