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Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Celebrating the
11th Anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act
Department of Labor
Great Hall
July 26, 2001
Thank you, Nicholas, for that wonderful introduction and for sharing
your story with us.
We have a remarkable assembly of people here today, as well as those
watching today's event on the Department's Web-Cast.
We're privileged to have Justin and Yoshiko Dart with us- thank you so
much for being here.
I think it's fair to say that without Justin Dart, we probably wouldn't
have an ADA today, so it's really a thrill to see him. Thank you so much for
coming.
And I want to welcome Mike Deland and Andy Imparato and express our
gratitude for all their work in extending new opportunities to people with
disabilities. Thank you for being here.
And I trust that Teddy Pendergrass needs no introduction to most of you.
Thank you for coming, Teddy - your musical skills are legendary, and your work
on behalf of inner city kids with spinal cord disabilities is truly inspiring.
Thanks so much.
I am also joined on stage by Beth Scott and Christopher Waddell - two
medallists from the Para Olympic games. Congratulations on your
accomplishments!
Over 200 local high school students from the School to Work and School
to Careers program are also here today. I'm also really pleased that the Wild
Zappers are here today, and will be gracing us with a performance later in the
program.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to stay for their performance because
I'll be joining the president at the White House for a special ADA event, so I
hope you will understand if I speak and run.
Eleven years ago, on this day, during this hour, President George Bush
stood on the South Lawn of the White House to sign the most historic civil
rights legislation in more than a generation.
With a stroke of a pen, the president, on our behalf, extended a
welcoming hand to Americans with disabilities, inviting them to participate
fully in the promise and opportunities that America has to offer.
And for eleven remarkable years, the Americans with Disabilities Act has
lived up to our highest expectations.
Because of the ADA, doors, once closed, are now open.
Patrons, once turned away, are now welcomed. Barriers, once impassible,
are now leveled. Discrimination, once tolerated, is now illegal.
In the first decade of the ADA, America worked hard to meet its
requirements - building wheelchair ramps, and so forth.
But today, we have set our sights higher - to find new ways to go beyond
what is mandated by law, and do what is required by conscience.
We are working to find new ways to more fully include Americans with
disabilities into the mainstream of our economic and social life.
Standing upon the foundation laid by his father, President George W.
Bush believes our next challenge is to explore new frontiers that will bring
more Americans with disabilities into the workforce and into the mainstream of
American life.
It was an honor for me to serve the first President Bush, and it
is a constant inspiration for me to serve in the Cabinet of this
President Bush.
Like his father, President Bush has an extraordinary dedication to
extending the full promise of American life to people with disabilities. This
is truly a passion for the president.
It is one of the important, tangible expressions of his commitment to
making American life more just, and more compassionate, and more inclusive.
And his personal commitment to this issue is reflected in our work at
the Department of Labor to expand our programs for people with disabilities.
This year, we've doubled the budget for the Office of Disability
Employment Policy, and in the near future we'll be able to announce the first
presidential appointment of an Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment
Policy.
Our goal in taking these steps is to be a leader within the federal
government in the effort to implement President Bush's New Freedom Initiative
for Americans with disabilities.
This initiative will increase access to assistive technologies, expand
educational opportunities, increase the ability of Americans with disabilities
to enter the workforce, and extend their access into daily community life.
This Administration recognizes that America cannot afford to leave
anyone behind as we enter this a new century. We must give every American the
chance to reach their full potential in life, and particularly in the
workforce.
This is essential, because we know that America's demographic destiny
points to a future of worker shortages.
The baby boomers are aging, and we will soon enter a period when serious
labor shortages challenge our ability to support our retirees and keep our
economy functioning at the highest level.
What was once only a moral imperative has now become an economic
imperative as well. Our economy needs the talents and skills of people with
disabilities.
For example, in the next five years America will need over one and a
half million Internet technology professionals. Businesses are increasingly
recognizing the value of bridging the gap between workers with disabilities and
high-tech jobs.
New technologies and workplace arrangements are enabling these workers
to fill these important positions. And nearly 2,500 companies are working to
bring assistive technologies to Americans with disabilities.
On October 24th of this year, we will sponsor the National Disability
Mentoring Day. This year, participants will include Microsoft, Cingular
Wireless, AOL, and Booz-Allen-Hamilton.
This program gives students with disabilities valuable exposure to
available career opportunities. And employers have a chance to learn that
people with disabilities have truly incredible abilities - abilities that can
be invaluable to their companies.
Although our national unemployment rate is low, nearly 70 percent of
Americans with disabilities - most of whom are willing and ready to work - are
still unemployed. That number has remained steady for the past twelve years.
That's simply unacceptable. I believe we can do better.
The president's New Freedom Initiative reflects our belief that America
is a work in progress.
This initiative will help Americans with disabilities buy homes and
computers, receive special needs education, and enjoy better access to the
institutions of daily life that the rest of us take for granted.
The New Freedom Initiative also integrates Americans with disabilities
into the workforce.
The president's plans provide low-interest loans for new computers and
other equipment needed to telework from home, as well as new transportation
plans to help employees with disabilities travel to work.
And the president is committed to giving Americans with disabilities the
ability to choose their own support services and maintain their health benefits
when they return to work.
In October, during National Disability Awareness Month, the president
will host the Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities.
The meeting is the first step toward implementation of the New Freedom
Initiative, serving two primary goals:
First, we will develop a strategic plan with other departments to tear
down barriers to employment for people with disabilities.
And second, we will hold a series of information gathering discussions
on topics ranging from increasing access to assistive technologies to
integrating workers with disabilities into the workplace.
We will also be looking to address many of the concerns facing youth
with disabilities, and I am pleased to announce today the creation of the Youth
Advisory Committee.
The committee of diverse young adults will provide valuable input to the
Department on issues like health care, employment, and education.
In every possible way, we're looking to expand and improve our programs
for Americans with disabilities.
Last month, at the 21st Century Workforce Summit, I announced three new
grant initiatives totaling over $10 million in funding for these programs.
These grants will help customize services for the disabled at one stop
career centers, as well as create model programs that serve the needs and
interests of youth with disabilities.
I am especially excited about a grant that will create high tech
programs at local high schools to expand the skills and interests of teenagers
with disabilities as they begin to plan for their futures in the workforce.
I am also very pleased to announce that the Office of Disability Policy
has prepared a new Educational Kit to provide important information to state
and local governments, organizations, employers and individuals about
disability employment opportunities.
I am also excited that the Department of Labor is a leader in giving
students with disabilities the opportunity to experience public service.
We are joined today by college students who are spending their summer at
internships organized by the Workforce Recruitment Program.
This program, which is jointly sponsored by the Department of Defense
and the Department of Labor, provides paid summer internships and permanent
jobs for college and university students with disabilities.
This summer, there are more than 300 students in this program - 110 of
whom are in the Washington, DC area.
We are thankful that we have them with us today and throughout the
summer.
Thank you for being here today to commemorate the historic occasion of
the 11th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act. President George W.
Bush has challenged all of us with his New Freedom Initiative. Let's get to
work!
God bless you all. God bless America.
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