Barack Obama's Plan to Empower American's With Disabilities

“We must build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination .... policies must be developed, attitudes must be shaped, and buildings and organizations must be designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to get the education they need and live independently as full citizens in their communities.”

In the above clip, Barack Obama explains what he believes needs to happen in America to help people with disabilities. He use many different rhetorical strategies to appeal to his audience. His strongest strategy, however, is the use of pathos created both through narration and example. He begins by telling a story of how disability has affected his family. This establishes great credibility, in letting us know that he has personally experienced the affects of disabilities on a family. He describes the toll it took on his mother and the different challenges the family faced. This narration appeals to our emotions by creating a sense of sympathy for those with disabilities and the difficulties they must deal with everyday. His demeanor gives you the sense that he really cares about this issue and is willing to do anything to make life for the disabled easy and more independent.
He then goes on, giving examples of such difficulties and how he proposes we change things for the better. He not only gives examples of what needs to be changed, but also how he proposes it be changed. He describes the need to make building more accessible, get rid of stereotypes and discrimination, to ensure students with disabilties a quality education, and to ensure them job opportunities.
In providing people with disabilities with an equal education, he express his support of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. He also describes the need to test children once as infants as well as after the age of two, because certain disabilities, such as autism, don't fully develop until then.
He plans to give people with disabilities equal opportunity in the workplace as well. He plans to do so by leading by example. He plans to hire disabled people to work in government offices and encourage businesses to do the same. He also wants to create better health care plans for the workers.
By giving so many detailed examples Obama makes it clear that he is serious about helping these people. He is clear that he wants what is best for people with disabilities. The examples he provides make Americans want to get involved in helping these people become more independent.