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The nationwide assessment is a first step in carrying out Executive Order 13217, signed by President Bush June 18, directing federal agencies to assist states in expanding community-based services for people with disabilities. It is part of the president's broader New Freedom Initiative for Americans with Disabilities.

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, charged by President Bush with leading the effort to carry out his Executive Order, was joined today by Education Secretary Rod Paige and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao as well as representatives of three other agencies in commissioning a new Interagency Council on Community Living. The Council brings together the six cabinet agencies to coordinate federal efforts for those with disabilities. Secretary Thompson also announced steps to solicit a wide range of information and recommendations from people with disabilities as well as experts, state and local program administrators and the public. The special comment process includes:

• A national public comment meeting in Washington this summer
• A written comment process announced in the Federal Register this week
• A series of toll-free teleconference sessions to help people throughout the country to easily share their observations and ideas.

At the same time, Secretary Thompson announced $9 million in new grants to 18 states will be awarded to help carry out the Ticket to Work Act. The grants will be awarded in FY 2002.

Today's actions come as the nation prepares to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law by former President George Bush on July 26, 1990.

"The Americans with Disabilities Act declared our nation's commitment to embrace citizens with disabilities and help them participate more fully in the lives of their communities," Secretary Thompson said. "Eleven years later, we need to keep working to open the doors to independence. The President has laid out a comprehensive plan in his New Freedom Initiative. The steps we're taking today are one part of that greater plan."

President Bush announced the New Freedom Initiative Feb. 1. Its goals for people with disabilities include enhanced support for assistive technology, improvements in transportation, expanded opportunities in education and home ownership, and other initiatives in addition to greater opportunity for work and integrated community living.

The President's Executive Order 13217, issued last month, was one part of the New Freedom Initiative, aimed at assuring implementation of the June 1999 Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C. In that decision, the court found that under certain circumstances, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires states to provide community-based treatment for persons with disabilities. The Executive Order called for broad review of present federal laws, programs and policies that may interfere with community based living for those with disabilities. The Order identified the goal of community-based services as a high administration priority, and set the Oct. 16 deadline for a report to the President.

"We can make real progress only if we first listen to the people who know the barriers better than anyone else could," Secretary Thompson said. "I believe our nationwide assessment will bring an outpouring of experience and creative ideas. And the new Interagency Council on Community Living will bring high-level administration focus to these ideas."

On Secretary Thompson's behalf, HHS Deputy Secretary Claude Allen will chair the Interagency Council. In addition to HHS and the Departments of Labor and Education, other agencies on the Council include the Department of Housing and Urban Development (represented at today's event by Deputy Secretary Alphonso Jackson), the Department of Justice (represented by Acting Attorney General for Civil Rights Bill Yeomans) and the Social Security Administration (represented by Acting Commissioner Larry Massanari).

Secretary Thompson said collaborative efforts under Executive Order 13217 have already begun. Last week, HHS joined HUD in conducting a nationwide technical assistance call on HUD rental subsidy programs for accessible housing. Some 6,000 individuals on 700 phone lines took part.

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