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PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE:
A Record of Working on Behalf of Americans with Disabilities
January 10, 2001
President Clinton and Vice President Gore have worked hard to empower
all Americans and to achieve equal opportunity, full participation,
independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with
disabilities. Key accomplishments include:
Signing into law and implementing the Ticket to Work and Work
Incentives Improvement Act which enhances employment-related services
for individuals with disabilities and enables Americans with
disabilities to retain their Medicare or Medicaid coverage when they go
to work.
Creating the Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities
to develop a comprehensive, coordinated employment agenda for Americans
with disabilities.
Vigorously defending the Americans with Disabilities Act in court
cases across the nation.
Working to implement the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, which
prohibits unjustified institutionalization of persons with disabilities
who, with proper support, can live in the community.
Ensuring a quality education for children with disabilities by
enacting a stronger, improved Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act.
Helping ensure that 80% of America's public transit buses are now
accessible.
Launching a new website, www.disAbility.gov, which serves as a
"one-stop" electronic link to an enormous range of useful information
available throughout the Federal government for people with disabilities
and their families.
Working with the First Lady to create a new interagency Youth to
Work Initiative to help young people with disabilities successfully make
the transition from school to work.
Increasing the amount that students who receive SSI can earn while
continuing to receive benefits.
Increasing and indexing the Substantial Gainful Activity level to
enable more individuals with disabilities to return to work without fear
of losing critical Social Security Disability benefits.
Mobilizing public and private efforts to create digital opportunity
for people with disabilities and increase their ability to participate
in the workforce. Initiatives include a national investment in the
development and transfer of assistive technology and universal design.
Making the federal government a model employer by directing
agencies to increase efforts to recruit and hire people with
disabilities, by expanding hiring opportunities for people with
psychiatric disabilities, and calling for mental health parity for
federal employees.