Hillary Clinton on Wednesday praised Orlando's resolve after the Pulse nightclub shootings and called for police reform in the wake of a summer of violence across the nation.



The Democratic presidential nominee was in Orlando for the first time since early August, looking to shore up support in a state that is becoming too close to call, according to several recent polls.



"Orlando has been through a lot this year," Clinton told the audience of about 400 at the Frontline Outreach Center west of downtown. "You showed the world what Orlando is made of: strength, love and kindness. This is something we could all use more of right now."



Clinton touched upon the recent fatal shootings by police of African American men in Tulsa, Okla., and Charlotte, the latest in a series across the country in the past few months.



"There is still much we don't know about what happened in both incidents," she said. 'But we do know that we have two more names to add to the list of African Americans killed by police officers. … It's unbearable. And it needs to become intolerable."



But she also condemned the targeting of police officers in Philadelphia last week and cited the 12 officers injured in demonstrations against police after the shooting in Charlotte on Tuesday.



"Every day, police officers in our country are serving with extraordinary courage, honor and skill," Clinton said, citing the law enforcement response to terror attacks in Minnesota, New York and New Jersey this past weekend.



"I've spoken to many police chiefs and law enforcement leaders who are as deeply concerned as I am – and deeply committed as I am – to reform," she said. "Why? Because they know it is essential for the safety of our communities and our officers. We are safer when communities respect the police and police respect the communities."



The main thrust of her speech, as evidenced by the giant "Inclusive Economy" sign above the bleachers, was her plan to allow more people with disabilities to enter the workforce.



Clinton was introduced by Anastasia Somoza, a disability rights advocate born with cerebral palsy who first met Clinton as a 9-year-old and later interned at her U.S. Senate office.



Clinton said 60 percent of adults with disabilities aren't in the workforce, adding that laws allow businesses to pay employees with disabilities "sub-minimum wage."



"Nearly one in five Americans lives with a disability," Clinton said. "If you think you don't know someone with a disability, I promise you, you do. … Whether they can participate in the economy and live rich, full lives is a reflection of us as a society. And right now, we are falling short."



Her plans include eliminating sub-minimum wages and "new partnerships with businesses" to improve hiring for people with disabilities.



Clinton also highlighted her "Autism Works" initiative to create public-private partnerships to help people with autism find jobs.



She quoted a disabilities activist, who said "'We don't want pity, we want paychecks.' … Good work deserves fair pay."



Clinton also made sure to praise the bipartisan passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, adding that "And some of the Democrats – and Republicans – who supported it are supporting my campaign."



Reports this week indicated that Bush plans to vote for Clinton, which his spokespeople have not denied.



Clinton was preceded by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who said the city "was the face of darkness and tragedy" after the Pulse shootings in June. "But Orlando, much like America, is not the type of place that gives up or gives in to those who seek harm to us."



Val Demings, the former Orlando police chief and Democratic candidate for U.S Congressional District 10, praised Clinton's work as a young woman in South Carolina and Alabama on behalf of African Americans.



"Long before she was in the public eye, Hillary Clinton was working on behalf of all of us," Demings said.



Before the event, supporters lined up in the heat to get a spot inside the gym.



Tony Silva of Orlando wore a "Spoiler Alert: Hillary Wins" T-shirt as he and Barbara Cady of Kissimmee waited to be let in.



"We're Hillary delegates, Tony and me," Cady said. "Just 48 days. It's very close and very tight, and what Donald Trump is spewing is not acceptable to us. He's not going to be the next president."



There were several abortion protesters outside the event, yelling at Clinton supporters about her support of Planned Parenthood, while a pickup truck with Donald Trump stickers occasionally drove by with a cutout of what appeared to be Clinton in jail or a cage.



Clinton was scheduled to appear at a fundraiser Wednesday night at the home of attorney John Morgan in a gated community of Heathrow. Morgan and the Clinton campaign had no comment on the event, which includes a reception for those who donate $100,000.



slemongello@orlandosentinel.com or 407-418-5920