Influences on the Political Participation of People With Disabilities

Abstract

While Americans with disabilities comprise the largest minority group in American politics, we know very little about the individual level determinants of political activity among this neglected part of the American polity In this analysis, we use data collected by Louis Harris and Associates during the 1984 and 1986 elections to begin to understand more fully the determinants of political participation among people with disabilities. We find that the political activity of people with disabilities not only depends on demographic and psychological factors, but also appears to depend as much on candidate behavior and governmental performance. This evidence suggests that the political involvement of people with disabilities may greatly depend on the extent to which political elites attempt to address their political concerns.

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