AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES: Fact Sheet - 9/17/92 September 17, 1992 PRESIDENT BUSH'S AGENDA FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES The Bush Administration is firmly committed to empowering people with disabilities in all aspects of their lives. Two years ago, President Bush kept his promise to the disability community when he supported, signed and implemented the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), the first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities by any nation. He has appointed, and will continue to appoint, people with disabilities to high-level positions in his Administration. In his next term, President Bush will expand his commitment to make every aspect of our society accessible to people with disabilities and to ensure that they have the opportunity to participate fully in the mainstream of society. Americans With Disabilities Act: o The President will continue to work with the disability community, business, and government at all levels for the full and harmonious implementation of the ADA with minimal litigation, expense, and intrusive regulation, and maximal benefit to Americans with disabilities according to the 1990 schedules and regulations. Education: o In the first term, the President signed the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1991, strengthening the law that ensures all children with disabilities a free, appropriate education designed to meet their unique needs. The President's America 2000 education strategy will create new opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to learn in the mainstream of society. Employment: o Employment of people with disabilities is among the President's highest priorities for the nation. He has recommended a $32 million increase in the budget of the EEOC to enforce the ADA, and has ordered all federal agencies to be models of employment for people with disabilities. Empowerment: o The President will continue to empower and support leaders of the disability community by appointing them to policy making positions within his Administration, and within all federal agencies. Page 2 Family Support: o The President will continue his efforts to restore and double the size of the tax credit for adoption of children with special needs. Health Care: o The President strongly supports full access to health care for all people with disabilities, with coverage for preexisting conditions and no barriers to employment or to changing employment. Personal Assistance: o The President strongly supports measures that will enable people with disabilities to move out of institutions, to live in their homes and to work. The Department of HHS has established an interagency working group on personal assistance services. Social Security Disability: o The President is committed to removing all remaining disincentives and barriers to work for people with disabilities under the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs. # # #