The DC Adult and Family Literacy Coalition, an advocacy group dedicated to advancing adult education as a vital component of the District’s education system, hosted a mayoral candidates forum in March. They asked twelve questions listed below, which cover not only adult education but also employment, poverty, health care, human rights, etc. Three of the candidates provided written responses to these questions, which you can find at the following links: Jack Evans DCAFLC Responses | Reta Lewis DCAFCL Responses | Tommy Wells DCAFCL Responses
1. USA Today and other sources have recently noted D.C to be the most literate cities in the nation, yet nearly 20% of DC adults are functionally illiterate, many of whom have a high school diploma. Why do you believe this is the case and what will you do as mayor to address this issue?
2. As mayor, how will you support research and development of computer literacy training for adults?
3. DOES and UDC-CC offer a wide range of workforce development programs but these programs all require an 8th grade reading and math skill level (in English). According to data from OSSE AFE, 90% of DC adult learners are below this level. What can the city do to help adults get the skills they need to access the training programs that will help them secure family-sustaining jobs?
4. Not everyone who is homeless lacks the education or skills needed to obtain a job. However homelessness poses significant barriers to employment coupled with discrimination from the employer. How can you help the” job ready” homeless population overcome barriers to employment and work with employers to rid discrimination?
5. I have been volunteering for two years and I have not been able to get a job due to my disability. How will you ensure that all residents who want to work are able to obtain employment, specifically those with a disability?
6. The conditions in shelters are inhumane. People looking for shelter are treated like animals. As mayor, how do you plan to change conditions in shelters?
7. What steps will you take to increase affordable housing units for the low-income population (under 40% AMI)?
8. How will you ensure affordable housing is accessible for residents who are seniors or have disabilities?
9. HHS and CMS are considering making changes to the 6 protected drug classes in the Medicaid Part D Prescription drug benefit. Specially, they are considering removing anti-psychotics by 2015, anti-depressants by 2016, and immunosuppressants thereafter. The District has spent the last 30 years de-institutionalizing mental health facilities and integrating people with physical and intellectual disabilities into the community. As a candidate for mayor, what is your position on this proposed change?
10. Our city has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. How do you plan to address the issue of HIV/AIDS as mayor?
11. How do you plan to collect and use community input to make decisions on public programs/policies?
12. As mayor, how do you plan to address the issue of systemic racism in education, housing, and literacy?
