Politicians love talking ‘affordability’ — unless you’re disabled

Published September 20, 2026 10:00am ET



September marks Deaf Awareness Month — and the final two-month sprint toward the 2026 midterm elections. Politicians should connect the two. In most campaigns, they could not be further apart.

Affordability is now the magic ticket in American politics. Candidates promise cheaper housing, healthcare, groceries, childcare, and energy. Listen long enough, however, and one group is still largely missing: deaf and disabled people.

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