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Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
National
Disability Mentoring Day
October 24, 2001
Thank you, Jennifer, for that introduction. I am glad to serve as the
host of this "kick off" for the National Disability Mentoring Day. In 30 states
across America, hundreds of businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government
institutions are giving youth a firsthand look at the possibilities of a bright
future.
It's great to be joined by Michael Takemura, Director of the
Accessibility Program Office for the Compaq Computer Corporation, Gregg Howard
of Independence Technology, Robert Rice from Booz-Allen Hamilton, and Susan
Palmer from Cingular Wireless. They represent a few of the 13 corporate
sponsors making Disability Mentoring Day possible.
I also want to welcome the Department of Labor employees and senior
staff who are with us. Thank you for being a part of this special program.
Over 200 youth in 25 different federal agencies are participating in the
National Disability Mentoring Day. 40 local high school and college students
will work side-by-side with their mentors today at the Department of Labor. We
are glad you are here.
On the first day of his Presidency, George W. Bush issued a challenge to
America. He said, "Our public interest depends on private character, on civic
duty and family bonds and basic fairness, on uncounted, unhonored acts of
decency which give direction to our freedom. Sometimes in life we are called to
do great things. But as a saint of our times has said, every day we are called
to do small things with great love."
I want to thank the President for recognizing October as National
Disability Employment Awareness Month. Honoring the contributions of American's
with disabilities is the mark of a good and decent nation.
The National Disability Mentoring Day is a significant step in extending
new hope to youth with disabilities. By taking the time to help these students,
mentors are leaving lasting imprints in the lives of our young people. Yet, as
we all know, the mentors often learn more than the students. They are inspired
by the student's compassion, their courage, and their ability to overcome
challenges to achieve their dreams.
This day is about building a stronger future for youths with
disabilities. But it is also about answering the President's challenge to build
a more welcoming, and compassionate nation for all our citizens. This is the
essence of the President's New Freedom Initiative.
The young people around this room will be the next generation of
high-tech specialists, civil servants, businesspeople, and teachers. America
will need their talents. In the next few decades, America will face a rapidly
shrinking labor pool - as older generations retire, new generations of skilled
workers will need to take their place.
The Information Technology industry will need 1.5 million employees over
the next five years. As part of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, over
2,500 companies are already working to provide assistive technologies to
workers with disabilities. Why? Because the President recognizes that these
young people are the future of the workforce. They have the skills, the
talents, and the determination to meet the challenges of our labor shortage.
The New Freedom Initiative will also increase access to education,
technologies, and services that help people with disabilities realize their
potential. It is a commitment by President Bush and his Administration to
welcome every individual into the full promise of American life.
This commitment is reflected in the work of the Department of Labor. The
President has doubled the budget for the Office of Disability Employment
Policy, and I am pleased that the Department has formed a Youth Advisory
Council to the Presidential Task Force on the Employment of Adults with
Disabilities.
Fifteen young Americans between the ages of 15 and 25 will advise the
Office of the 21st Century Workforce and the Office of Disability Employment
Policy on the issues of education, transition, employment, health, and
independent living. We have two of the Council members here today: Jessica
Steinbeck and Earl Mikell. Thank you both for being here.
I also want to recognize Jessica Hunt, a junior at Center College in my
home state of Kentucky. She could not be here today, but Jessica brings a
unique perspective to the Advisory Council - as a student with Cerebral Palsy
and as a sibling of a brother with autism who has conquered life with optimism,
positive energy, and resolve.
We are grateful to have these outstanding individuals helping the
Department empower the lives of every American with disabilities.
It is said that the number one indicator of success for a child is a
good relationship with a nurturing adult. The President has asked all of us, as
caring citizens, to seek a common good beyond our comfort. Mentoring is about
living by example - the examples we display will help to transform the life of
one child who, in turn, might transform the world.
I want to thank all of the mentors and students, and the corporate and
government sponsors, for making this day possible. I also want to give special
recognition to the American Association of People with Disabilities. They are
the national host of this day, and their daily work in highlighting the talents
of these youth is a great service to our country.
Thank you very much for your presence here today and your commitment to
help the President's program, the New Freedom Initiative!
It is now my pleasure to introduce Andrew Imparato, CEO of the American
Association of People with Disabilities.
Thank you.
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