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President Bush's "New Freedom Initiative"
for Disabled Persons

Forward by President George W. Bush
Date: 2/1/01 10:00AM



The story of America, it has often been said, is the story of
the ever-widening circle of inclusion. Welcoming immigrants.
Freeing slaves. Women winning the right to vote. Ending
segregation.

That circle was widened ten years ago, when Congress passed the
Americans with Disabilities Act
.


Because of the
ADA, discrimination against a person with
a disability is not just unkind or cruel or wrong:
It is an
infringement of federal law, and a violation of civil rights.

I am proud my father signed the Americans with Disabilities Act
into law.

But the banning of discrimination is just the beginning of full
participation in our society. Though progress has been made
in the last decade, too many barriers remain.

Too many Americans with disabilities remain trapped in bureau-
cracies of dependence and are denied the tools and access
necessary for success.

My Administration is committed to tearing down these barriers.

In that spirit, I am sending to Congress my "New Freedom Initiative"
an important step forward in disability rights.

These proposals will help ensure that all Americans with disabilities
have the tools to use their skills, and make more of their own choices.

The New Freedom Initiative will increase investment in and access
to assistive technologies and a quality education, and help integrate
Americans with disabilities into the workforce and into community
life.

I look forward to working together with Congress to enact these
proposals, and to ensure that every American with a disability has
access to the American dream.


Table of Contents

*
Executive Summary

* Increasing Access to Assistive and Universally Designed Technologies

* Expanding Educational Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities

* Promoting Homeownership

* Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce

* Expanding Transportation Options

* Promoting Full Access to Community Life

* Executive Summary

* Fulfilling America's Promise to Americans with Disabilities


Disability is not the experience of a minority of Americans.
Rather, it is an experience that will touch most Americans at
some point during their lives, either themselves or within their
families.

Today, there are over 54 million Americans with disabilities,
a full 20 percent of the U.S. population. Almost half of these
individuals have a severe disability, affecting their ability to
see, hear, walk, or perform other basic functions of life.

In addition, there are over 25 million family caregivers and
millions more who provide aid and assistance to people with
disabilities.

Ten years ago, Congress passed and President George H.W. Bush
signed one of the most significant civil rights laws since the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 - the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In doing so, the nation opened its door to a new age for people
with disabilities.

Although progress has been made over the years to improve access
to employment, public accommodations, commercial facilities, telecommunications services, housing, schools, and polling places,
significant challenges remain for Americans with disabilities in
realizing the dream of equal access to full participation in American
society.

Specifically:

* Americans with disabilities have a lower level of educational
attainment
than those without disabilities:

* One out of five adults with disabilities has not graduated from
high school, compared to less than one of ten adults without
disabilities.

* National diploma graduation rates for students who receive
special education and related services have stagnated at 27 percent
for the past three years, while rates are 75 percent for students
who do not rely on special education.

* Americans with disabilities are poorer and more likely to be
unemployed than those without disabilities:

* In 1997, over one-third of adults with disabilities lived in a
household with an annual income of less than $15,000, compared
to only 12 percent of those without disabilities.

* Unemployment rates for working-age adults with disabilities
have hovered at the 70 percent level for at least the past 12 years,
while rates are in the low single digits for working-age adults
without disabilities.

Too many Americans with disabilities remain outside the economic
and social mainstream of American life:

* Home ownership rates for people with disabilities are in the single
digits, while rates for people without disabilities are about 71 percent.

* Computer usage and Internet access for people with disabilities
is half that of people without disabilities.

* People with disabilities vote at a rate that is 20 percent below
non-disabled voters. In local areas, disability issues seldom
surface in election campaigns, and inaccessible polling places
often discourage citizens with disabilities from voting.

* People with disabilities want to be employed, educated,
participating, tax-paying citizens living in the community and
contributing to the economic and social fabric of American life.
And, in today's global new economy, America must be able to
draw on the talents and creativity of all its citizens.

The Administration will work to ensure that all Americans
have the
opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in
productive work, choose where to live and participate in
community life.


President Bush's "New Freedom Initiative" represents an
important step in achieving this goal.


It will invest $1.025 billion to expand research in and access to
assistive and universally designed technologies, further integrate
Americans with Disabilities into the workforce, and remove
barriers to full participation in community life.


The Policy

The "New Freedom Initiative" is composed of the following
key components:

Increasing Access to Assistive and Universally Designed
Technology
:

Federal Investment in Assistive Technology Research and
Development.

The Administration will triple the Rehabilitative Engineering
Research Centers' budget for assistive technologies, create a
new fund to help bring assistive technologies to market, and
better coordinate the federal effort in prioritizing immediate
assistive and universally designed technology needs in the
disability community.

Access to Assistive Technology.

Assistive technology is often prohibitively expensive.
In order to increase access, funding for low-interest loan
programs to purchase assistive technologies will increase
tenfold.

Expanding Educational Opportunities for Americans
with Disabilities:

* Fully Fund the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

The federal government has not been providing sufficient
funding for IDEA. By not providing the necessary funding,
IDEA has become a large unfunded mandate on state and
local governments and is failing to meet the needs of disabled
children. The Administration will work with Congress to
increase funding for special education with the goal of
meeting the federal obligations under IDEA.

* Early Detection of Needs.

To emphasize preventative efforts to identify children with
special needs, Title I funds will focus on students in the
elementary grades, where math and reading difficulties
can be corrected before children are diagnosed as needing
special education services.

* Focus on Reading in Early Grades.

States that establish a comprehensive reading program for
students, including those with disabilities, from kindergarten
through second grade will be eligible for grants under President
Bush's Reading First Initiative.

* Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce:

Expand the Avenue of Telecommuting. The Administration
will provide $20 million in federal matching funds to states
to guarantee low-interest loans for individuals with disabilities
to purchase computers and other equipment necessary to telework
from home. In addition, legislation will be proposed to make
a company's contribution of computer and Internet access for
home use by employees with disabilities a tax-free benefit.

* Swift Implementation of "Ticket to Work."

On February 1, 2001, President Bush signed an Executive Order
that directs federal agencies to swiftly implement the law giving
Americans with disabilities the ability to choose their own support
services and maintain their health benefits when they return
to work.

* Full Enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Resources will be provided to promote ADA compliance and
to help small businesses hire more people with disabilities.
The Administration will also promote the Disabled Access Credit,
an incentive program created in 1990 to assist small businesses
comply with the Act.

Promoting Full Access to Community Life:

* Promote Home ownership for People with Disabilities.

HUD's Section 8 rental voucher program for people with
disabilities will be reformed to permit recipients to use up
to a year's worth of vouchers to finance the down payment
on a home.

* Swift Implementation of the Olmstead Decision.

On February 1, 2001, President Bush signed an Executive Order
supporting the most integrated community-based settings for
individuals with disabilities and calling for identification
and removal of barriers to community placement.

* National Commission on Mental Health Services.

The National Commission, established by President Bush
on February 1, 2001, will study and make recommendations
for improving America's mental health service delivery system,
including making recommendations on the availability and
delivery of new treatments and technologies for individuals
with severe mental illness.

Improving Access.

$10 million in matching funds will be provided annually to
increase the accessibility of organizations that are currently
exempt from Title III of the ADA, such as churches, mosques,
synagogues, and civic organizations. The Administration also
supports improving access to polling places and ballot secrecy
for people with disabilities.


Increasing Access to Assistive and Universally
Designed Technologies

Title I

Overview

The Administration's commitment to increase access to assistive
and universally designed technologies is based upon the principle
that every American must have the opportunity to fully
participate in society
.

In the global new economy, America must draw on the talents
and creativity of all its citizens.

Assistive and universally designed technologies can be a powerful
tool for millions of Americans with disabilities, dramatically
improving one's quality of life and ability to engage in productive
work.

New technologies are opening opportunities for even those
with the most severe disabilities. For example, individuals with
quadriplegia can now operate computers by the glance of an eye.

As the National Council on Disability (NCD) has stated, "for
Americans without disabilities, technology makes things easier.
For Americans with disabilities, technology makes things possible."

Unfortunately, assistive and universally designed technologies
are often prohibitively expensive. In addition, innovation is being
hampered by insufficient federal funding for and coordination
of assistive technology research and development programs.

The New Freedom Initiative will help ensure that Americans with
Disabilities can access the best technologies of today, and that
even better technologies will be available in the future.

At the core of this effort are proposals that reinvigorate the federal
investment in assistive technologies; improve federal collaboration
and promote private-public partnerships; and increase access to
this technology for people with disabilities.

Summary of Proposals

* Increases Federal Investment in Assistive Technology Research
and Development.


Rehabilitative Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) are
recognized as conducting some of the most innovative and
high impact assistive technology research in the federal
government.

The 15 RERCs are housed in universities and other non-profit
institutions around the country and focus on a specific area
of research - for example, information technology access,
prosthetics and orthotics, and technology for children with
orthopedic disabilities.

To advance research specifically targeted to the disabilities
community, the Administration will triple funding for the
RERCs from $11 million to $33 million.

* Improves Coordination of the Federal Assistive Technology
Research and Development Program.


There is no effective coordinating body for assistive technology
research and development within the federal government.
While the Interagency Committee on Disabilities Research was
designed to coordinate the federal effort, it has no real authority
and has no budget.

The Administration will provide new funding annually to the ICDR
so that it can prioritize the immediate assistive and universally
designed technology needs in the disability community, as well
as foster collaborative projects between the federal laboratories
and the private sector.

* Promotes Private-Public Partnerships.

There are nearly 2,500 companies working to bring new assistive
technologies to market. Many small businesses, however, cannot
make the necessary capital investments until they have information
concerning the market for a particular assistive technology.

To help these businesses bring assistive technologies to market,
the Administration will establish a new annual "Assistive Technology Development Fund." Housed under the ICDR, the fund will help
underwrite technology demonstration, testing, validation and
market assessment to meet specific needs of small businesses
so that they can better serve the needs of people with disabilities.

* Increases Access to Assistive Technology.

Assistive technology is often prohibitively expensive. For example,
personal computers configured with assistive technology can cost
anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000.

The Administration will increase federal funding tenfold for low-
interest loans to purchase assistive technology. These grants will
go to a state agency in collaboration with a bank or non-profit
groups to guarantee loans and lower interest rates.

Micro-loan programs for interest rate buy-downs or loan guarantees
are powerful tools to enable people with disabilities to buy the
technology they need to be independent and productive.

In a recent national survey, 61% of respondents who participated
in such programs said they could not have otherwise afforded
the product.

Expanding Educational Opportunities for Americans with
Disabilities

Title II

Overview

Education is the key to independent living and a high quality of life.

Unfortunately, one in five adults with disabilities has not graduated
from high school, compared to less than one of ten adults without
disabilities. The Administration will expand access to quality
education for Americans with disabilities.

Originally passed by Congress in 1975, the Individuals with
Disabilities Act, or IDEA, ensures that children with disabilities
would have a free public education that would meet their unique
needs.

The federal government has not been providing sufficient funding
for the IDEA. By not providing the necessary federal IDEA funds,
the program has become a large unfunded mandate on state and
local governments and is failing to meet the needs of disabled children.

The Administration will increase educational opportunity for children
with disabilities by working with Congress to give states increased
IDEA funds. This will free up additional resources for education
at the local level and help in meeting the special needs of students
with disabilities.

In addition, the Administration will emphasize preventative efforts
to identify children with special needs. Early detection of needs
will greatly benefit children by giving students the necessary help
early, while reducing costs to local, state and the federal government
as fewer children are diagnosed as needing IDEA services.

Summary of Proposals

* Sets the Goal of Increased Funding for Special Education.

The Administration will set the goal of meeting the federal obligation
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to reduce the
unfunded mandate on the states and increase educational assistance
to disabled students.

* Focuses  Title I Funds on Earlier Grades.

To emphasize preventative efforts to identify children with special
needs, Title I funds will focus on students in the elementary grades,
where math and reading difficulties can be corrected before children
are diagnosed as needing special education services.

* Establishes the $5 billion "Reading First" Program.

President Bush will increase federal funding to students, including
those with disabilities, by creating a $5 billion incentive fund for
states to teach every child to read by third grade.

States that choose to draw from this fund will be required to initiate,
among other requirements: a reading diagnostic test for students
in K-2 to determine where students need help; a research-based
reading curriculum; training for K-2 teachers in reading preparation;
and intervention for students who are not reading at grade level in
K-2.

Promoting Homeownership for People with Disabilities
Title III  

Overview

Homeownership has always been at the heart of the American dream.

The Administration will reform federal rental assistance to give
individuals who qualify the opportunity to purchase a home.
Individuals with disabilities should not be bound to a government
program that only allows them to rent.

Rental assistance for Americans with disabilities is provided by a
program known as Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937, administered
by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Residents are provided Section 8 vouchers so they can afford rental
payments for public housing. Nearly one-quarter of all Section 8
vouchers are given to individuals with disabilities under the age
of 62.

In addition to increasing independence, homeownership also
promotes savings. Mortgage payments, unlike rental payments,
help build net worth because a portion of the payment goes toward
building equity. In turn, as one's home equity increases, it becomes
easier to finance larger purchases such as a computer or further
education.

Summary of Proposal

* Reforms Section 8 to Allow Recipients who are Disabled to Apply
Their Rental Vouchers to Homeownership.

The Administration will support legislation allowing local Public
Housing Authorities to provide recipients of Section 8 vouchers
who are disabled with up to a year's worth of vouchers in a lump-
sum payment to finance the down payment and closing costs on
a home.

Section 8 recipients who are disabled will also be permitted to use
vouchers to subsidize their monthly mortgage payments.

Individuals and families that receive down payment assistance will
be required to complete a homeownership/financial management
program, such as that offered by Habitat for Humanity and other
non-profit groups.

Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce
Title IV (Part A: Promoting Telework)

Overview

Americans with disabilities should have every freedom to pursue
careers, integrate into the workforce, and participate as full members
in the economic marketplace.

The New Freedom Initiative will help tear down barriers to the
workplace, and help promote full access and integration.

Computer technology and the Internet have tremendous potential
to broaden the lives and increase the independence of people
with disabilities.

Nearly half of people with disabilities say the Internet has
significantly improved their quality of life, compared to 27
percent of people without disabilities.

The computer and Internet revolution has not reached as many
people with disabilities as the population without disabilities.
Only 25% of people with disabilities own a computer, compared
with 66% of U.S. adults. And only 10% of people with disabilities
have access to the Internet, compared to over 40% of U.S. adults.

The primary barrier to wider access is cost. Computers with
adaptive technology can cost as much as $20,000, which is
prohibitively expensive for many individuals. And the median
income of Americans with disabilities is far below the national
average.

The New Freedom Initiative will expand the avenue of teleworking,
so individuals with mobility impairments can work from their
homes if they choose.

Summary of Proposals

* Creates the "Access to Telework" Fund.

$20 million in federal matching funds will be provided annually
to states to guarantee low-income loans for people with disabilities
to purchase equipment to telecommute from home.

* Makes a Company's Contribution of Computer and Internet
Access for Home Use by Employees with Disabilities a Tax-Free
Benefit.

The Administration will encourage businesses to give computers
and internet access to employees with disabilities by making it
explicit that this provision is a tax-free benefit.

By making this benefit tax free to employees, the proposal will
encourage more employers to provide computer equipment and
Internet access, and employees will have greater options to take
advantage of this flexibility for teleworking. For individuals with
disabilities, this flexibility will expand the universe of potential
and accessible employment.

* Prohibits OSHA from Regulating "Home Office" Standards.

In January 1999, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a 5-page advisory asserting
that it had the power to regulate home office standards and hold
employers responsible if those standards were not met.

This proposal would have had a chilling effect on teleworking,
as employers would seek to avoid potential liabilities. Although
OSHA has since withdrawn the advisory, it has not yet foreclosed
future action.

The proposal will amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act
of 1970 to prohibit OSHA from being applied to employees who
work at home through the use of "telephone, computer or electronic
device."

Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce
(Part B: Ticket-to-Work)  

Overview

Last year, Congress passed the "Ticket-to-Work and Work
Incentives Improvement Act of 1999," which will give Americans
with disabilities both the incentive and the means to seek employment.

As part of the New Freedom Initiative, the Administration will
ensure the Act's swift implementation. Today, there are more
than 7.5 million Americans with disabilities receiving benefits
under federal disability programs.

According to a recent Harris Survey, 72 percent of the disabled want
to work. However, because of perverse disincentives in federal law,
less than 1 percent of those receiving disability benefits enter the
workforce.

Prior to the "Ticket to Work" law, in order to continue to receive
disability payments and health coverage, recipients could not engage
in any substantial work. The Ticket to Work law, however, provides
incentives for people with disabilities to return to work by:

* Providing disabled Americans with a voucher-like "ticket"
that allows them to choose their own support services, including
vocational education programs and rehabilitation services.

* Extending Medicare coverage for SSDI beneficiaries so they can
return to work without the fear of losing health benefits.

* Expanding Medicaid eligibility categories for SSI recipients so
that they can continue to receive benefits after their income or
condition improves.

Summary of Action

On February 1, 2001, the President signed an Executive Order
to Support Effective and Swift Implementation of "Ticket to Work".

The Executive Order directs federal agencies to swiftly implement
the law giving Americans with disabilities the ability to choose
their own support services and to maintain their health benefits
when they return to work.

Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce
(Part C: Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act)

Overview

When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into
law on July 26, 1990, it was the most far reaching law advancing
disabled individuals' access, workforce integration, and independence.

The law, signed by President George H. W. Bush, gives civil rights
protections to individuals with disabilities that are like those provided
to individuals on the basis of race, sex, national origin, and religion.

In the ten years since it was signed, the ADA has worked to guarantee
equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment,
public accommodations, transportation, State and local government
services, and telecommunications.

The law has been especially helpful in providing access to jobs,
especially in the small business sector, which has created two-
thirds of all net new jobs since the early 1970s.

To encourage small businesses to comply with the ADA, legislation
was signed into law in 1990 to provide a credit for 50 percent of
eligible expenses up to $5,000 a year. Such eligible expenses include
assistive technologies. Unfortunately, many small businesses are
not aware of this credit.

President Bush believes that the Americans with Disabilities Act
has been an integral component of the movement toward full
integration of individuals with disabilities, but recognizes that
there is still much more to be done. He also recognizes that to
further integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce,
more needs to be done to promote ADA compliance.

Summary of Proposals

* Supports the ADA and Provides Technical Assistance to Small
Businesses.


The President will ensure full enforcement of the Americans with
Disabilities Act by the Civil Rights Division of the Department
of Justice.


In addition, the New Freedom Initiative will provide $5 million
annually for technical assistance to help small businesses comply
with the Act, serve customers, and hire more people with disabilities.

* Promotes the Awareness and Utilization of Disabled Access
Credit (DAC).


The DAC, created in 1990, is an incentive program to assist small
businesses in complying with the ADA. DAC provides a credit
for 50 percent of eligible expenses up to $5,000 a year, including
expenses associated with making their facilities accessible and
with purchasing assistive technologies. Utilization of the credit
has been limited because small businesses are often not aware
of it.

Expanding Transportation Options
Title V  

Overview

President Bush believes that every American should have the
opportunity to participate fully in society and engage in productive
work.

Unfortunately, millions of Americans with disabilities are locked
out of the workplace because they are denied the tools and access
necessary for success.

Transportation can be a particularly difficult barrier to work for
Americans with disabilities. In 1997, the Director of Project Action
stated that "access to transportation is often the critical factor in
obtaining employment for the nation's 25 million transit dependent
people with disabilities."

Today, the lack of adequate transportation remains a primary
barrier to work for people with disabilities: one-third of people
with disabilities report that inadequate transportation is a significant
problem.

Through formula grant programs and the enforcement of the
ADA, the federal government has helped make our mass transit
systems more accessible. More must be done, however, to test
new transportation ideas and to increase access to alternate means
of transportation, such as vans with specialty lifts, modified
automobiles, and ride-share programs for those who cannot
get to buses or other forms of mass transit.

With important support from the Department of Education's
Rehabilitation Services Administration, many non-profit groups
and businesses are working hard to help people with disabilities
live and work independently. These organizations often lack the
funds to get people with disabilities to job interviews, to job
training, and to work.

President Bush believes that the federal government should
support the development of innovative transportation initiatives
and partner with local organizations to promote access to alternate
methods of transportation.

Summary of Proposals

Promotes innovative transportation solutions for people with
disabilities by funding pilot programs. The proposal provides
$45 million in funding for 10 pilot programs run by state or local
governments in regional, urban, and rural areas.

Administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration,
pilot programs will be funded at up to $1.5 million a year for
three years and will be selected on the basis of the use of
innovative approaches to developing transportation plans
that serve people with disabilities.

At the end of the three years, the Administration will work
with Congress to evaluate, through the General Accounting
Office, the effectiveness of the pilot programs and encourage
the expansion of successful initiatives.

Helps create a network of alternate transportation through
community-based and other providers. The proposal will
establish a competitive, $100 million matching grant program
to promote access to alternative methods of transportation.

Administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration,
this dollar-for-dollar matching program will be open to
Centers for Independent Living, Assistive Technology Centers,
vocational rehabilitation centers, and other community-based
organizations that seek to integrate Americans with disabilities
into the workforce.

The funds will go toward the purchase and operation of specialty
vans, assisting people with down payments or costs associated
with accessible vehicles, and extending the use of existing
transportation resources.

Promoting Full Access to Community Life
Title VI (Part A: Commitment to Community-Based Care)

Overview

On June 22, 1999, the Supreme Court decided Olmstead v. L.C.,
ruling that the ADA requires the placement of persons with
mental disabilities in a community setting wherever possible.
The Court concluded that "unjustified isolation," e.g.,
institutionalization when a doctor deems community treatment
equally beneficial, "is properly regarded as discrimination
based on disability."

Olmstead has yet to be fully implemented. President Bush believes
that community-based care is critically important to promoting
maximum independence and to integrating individuals with
disabilities into community life.

Summary of Action

On February 1, 2001, President Bush signed an Executive Order
Supporting Swift Implementation of the Olmstead Decision.

The Order supports the most integrated community-based settings
for individuals with disabilities, pursuant to the Olmstead decision,
and calls for the identification and removal of barriers to community
placement.

To ensure that the states come into compliance with Olmstead by
instituting mental health reforms, the Executive Order also directs
the National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration to coordinate research
initiatives and innovative pilot projects to further support such
reforms and to make the mental health system more accountable
through outcome measures.

Promoting Full Access to Community Life
(Part B: Better Coordination of Federal Resources to Address
Mental Health Problems)

Overview

Currently, there are over 13 federal agencies that oversee mental
health policies, funding, laws and programs including: the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Personnel
and Management, Social Security Administration, National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Department of Housing and
Urban Development, Department of Justice, and Department of
Labor.

These federal agencies are doing valuable work, but they would
be much more effective, efficient, and less duplicative if they were
better coordinated. With coordination, the competitive advantage
of each agency could be leveraged to provide the most needed
and suitable service in the framework of federal efforts to address
mental health.

Summary of Action

On February 1, 2001, President Bush signed an Executive Order
creating a National Commission on Mental Health Services.


The National Commission will study and make recommendations
for improving America's mental health service delivery system,
including making recommendations on the availability and delivery
of new treatments and technologies for individuals with severe
mental illness.

Promoting Full Access to Community Life
(Part C: Access to the Political Process)

Overview

There are over 35 million voting-age persons with disabilities,
but currently people with disabilities register to vote at a rate
that is 16 percentage points less than the rest of the population
and vote at a rate 20 percent below non-disabled voters.

According to the National Organization on Disability, low voter
turnout among people who are disabled is due to both accessibility
problems at voting locations and the lack of secrecy and independence
when voting. The most recent Federal Election Commission (FEC)
report states that at least 20,000 of the nation's more than 120,000
polling places are inaccessible to people with disabilities.

Governor Bush recognizes that full integration into society must
include access to and participation in the political process. That is
why, as President, Governor Bush will:

Summary of Proposal

* Supports Improving Accessibility to Voting for Americans
with Disabilities.

President Bush will support improved access to polling places and
ballot secrecy. He will work with Congress to address the barriers
to voting for Americans with Disabilities and to expanding suffrage
for all Americans.

Promoting Full Access to Community Life
(Part D: Access to ADA-Exempt Organizations)

Overview

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 opened
countless businesses and public accommodations to people with
disabilities by mandating that they be made accessible.

For constitutional and other concerns, however, Tile III exempts
many civic organizations (such as Rotary and Lions Clubs) and
religious organizations from its requirements of full access.

Americans with disabilities should be able to be fully integrated
into their communities, and civic and religious organizations are
vital parts of those communities.

Too many private clubs, churches, synagogues, and mosques
are inaccessible or unwelcoming to people with disabilities.
As a result, people with disabilities are often unable to participate
as fully in community or religious events.

The National Organization on Disabilities has led a national
effort to make places of worship accessible and welcoming
to all Americans.

Many organizations and congregations want to be open to all,
but have limited resources to ensure accessibility.


Every effort should be made to ensure that Americans with
disabilities have the opportunity to be integrated into their
communities and welcomed into communities of faith.

Summary of Proposal

Establishes a National Fund to Provide $10 Million in Matching
Grants for Accessibility Renovations for ADA-Exempt
Organizations:


To assist private clubs and religious organizations in making
sure their facilities are fully accessible and to expand access for
all, the proposal provides $10 million in annual federal matching
grants to ADA-exempt organizations making renovations or
accommodations to improve accessibility.

Because the grants will go to all ADA-exempt organizations,
irrespective of whether they are religious or secular, they would
comport with the Supreme Court's test for constitutional neutrality.



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