Dear [SENATOR’S NAME]:
As a registered voter, I oppose Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court and ask that you vote “no” on his confirmation. Kavanaugh’s previous records, history, and opinions have not been good for the disability community. Kavanaugh’s actions do not align with my rights as a deaf person. Any decisions he makes will affect my civil, human, and linguistic rights.
First example of extreme importance involves his opinion on disability employment discrimination, particularly one case that involved James Adeyemi, a deaf person. Adeyemi sued the D.C. Government for not hiring him, Adeyemi stated that his qualifications and experience were as good or better than other applicants. Judge Kavanaugh wrote an opinion stating that Adeyemi did not prove he is “significantly better qualified” than other applicants. This means Adeyemi would have had to prove he is much more qualified than the hearing hired person and other hearing applicants to prove employment discrimination – yet the hearing people do not have to fight this unrealistic hurdle.
The second concern involves another case where the D.C. Government was sued for allowing doctors to perform surgeries without permission on people with cognitive disabilities. In this case, those people with cognitive disabilities did not have medical decision-making authority and the lawsuit sought to give them the power to question and discuss the implications of the surgery. Judge Kavanaugh shared his opinion that the D.C. Government could permit doctors to continue the surgeries without permission and that they didn’t need to be asked.
My third concern about Kavanaugh are his opinions against the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While there are many views about the ACA, Kavanaugh’s strong opposition against the ACA affects my right to affordable health insurance.
These three points above are just among the many reasons why I am very concerned with the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to become a Supreme Court Justice. It is important that the next Supreme Court Justice understands and protects the rights of deaf and hard of hearing people and people with disabilities.
Again, please vote “no” for Brett Kavanaugh as U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Thank you,
[INSERT YOUR NAME]