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WASHINGTON-U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao
marked the 11th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act today with a
special event that featured remarks from former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, and R&B
recording artist Teddy Pendergrass. They where joined at the event by Andy
Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People with
Disabilities (AAPD) and Michael R. Deland Chairman of the Board of the National
Organization on Disability (NOD).
"Patrons, once turned away, are now welcomed," Chao said.
"Barriers, once impassible, are now leveled. Discrimination, once tolerated, is
now illegal,"
"We are working to find new ways to more fully include
Americans with disabilities into the mainstream of our economic and social
life."
The celebration highlighted training programs for youth
with disabilities, which are administered by the Labor Department's Office of
Disability Employment (ODEP) and the Employment and Training Administration.
ODEP, which was created as part of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative,
distributed "Educational Kits" to attendees that contained information for
employers on how they can integrate Americans with disabilities into the
workforce.
Chao highlighted five new grant initiatives totaling over
$10 million dollars to help customize services for the persons with
disabilities at one stop career centers, as well as create model programs that
serve the needs and interests of disabled youth.
Chao also announced that the president will host a Task
Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities meeting during National
Disability Awareness Month in October, 2001. She also announced October 24,
2001 as National Disability Mentoring Day, a cooperative effort between the
Department of Labor, the Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities
and the AAPD as well as the formation of the Youth Advisory Committee to the
Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities.
The Youth Advisory Committee will advise the Secretary of
Labor on education, transition, employment, health and rehabilitation, and
independent living issues affecting young people with disabilities.
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