The Pennsylvania Senator says he is proud to represent people with disabilities
John Fetterman, the Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania, has spoken out about his use of captioning technology in the Senate, saying he is proud to represent people with disabilities and wants to destigmatize the use of assistive devices. Fetterman suffered a stroke in May 2022 that left him with hearing and cognitive issues, and he relies on a live caption display monitor at his desk and a wireless tablet to read what people say in real time. He said the technology helps him communicate and do his job effectively.
Fetterman faced criticism and ridicule from his opponents during his Senate campaign last fall, who questioned his ability to function in the Senate and mocked his speech and debate performance. He refused to release his full medical records, saying he had provided enough information from his doctor. He also said he did not want to make his stroke a political issue, but rather a personal challenge that he was overcoming. He won the election by a comfortable margin, defeating Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz in one of the most competitive races in the country.
The Senate has been accommodating toward Fetterman’s needs
Fetterman said the Senate has been very accommodating toward his needs, and installed a permanent live caption display monitor at his desk in the Senate chamber that can be raised or lowered depending on whether he is sitting or standing. There is also a similar monitor with a custom desk stand that can be placed on the dais when he takes shifts presiding over the Senate. Both wired screens work without internet if needed, relying on the Senate Office of Captioning Services’ stenotype machines, caption encoding hardware, and staff in the Capitol itself.
Fetterman is not the only senator with a disability or a health challenge. Sen. Jon Tester lost three of his fingers in a meat grinder accident as a child. Sen. Chuck Grassley had hip surgery earlier this year and had to use a wheelchair. Sen. Mitch McConnell uses hearing aids, as do Sen. Tester and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. Fetterman’s colleague from Pennsylvania, Sen. Bob Casey, is the chairman of the Senate Aging Committee and has long supported disability rights. He said Fetterman’s use of captioning technology “is really a great breakthrough because the key here is the institution’s got to adapt to that individual.”
Fetterman wants to raise awareness and empathy for people with disabilities
Fetterman said he wants to raise awareness and empathy for people with disabilities, who make up one in four Americans, including many Pennsylvanians. He said he wants to show that people with disabilities can fully participate in society and contribute to public service. He also said he wants to show that using assistive technology is not something to be ashamed of, but rather something to be proud of.
He said he has faced ableism and mockery from some people, including former President Donald Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr., who called him a “vegetable.” He also said he saw a cover of Time magazine that featured President Joe Biden, Trump, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and McConnell using walkers, implying that they were unfit for office. He said such attitudes are hurtful and harmful to people with disabilities.
He also said he has received support and encouragement from many people, including disability rights advocates, fellow senators, and constituents. He said he has met with Josie Badger, a disability rights advocate with a rare neuro-muscular condition, who discussed how people with disabilities risk losing their Supplemental Security Income benefits if they get married. He also said he has talked with State Rep Jessica Benham, who became the first openly autistic person elected to Pennsylvania’s state legislature in 2020. He said he was inspired by their stories and perspectives.
Fetterman said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Senate and represent people with disabilities. He said he hopes his example will inspire others to pursue their dreams and overcome their challenges.
