Independent living should be a choice for every person with a disability who prefers to live in his or her own home rather than in a residential facility. It is more cost effective for the State to provide funding for personal assistants and rent assistance to keep people in their homes than to maintain institutional facilities. It is equally important to make sure that safe, quality residential facilities are available for people with severe disabilities who cannot or do not want to live on their own. Carol applauds changes in voting systems to allow every voter, regardless of disability, to cast a ballot at his or her own polling place. Carol will work with disability rights advocates to ensure equality for people with disabilities.