2002.07.26:Statement by hHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson On the Anniversary of the "Americans With Disabilities Act"

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 26, 2002

Contact:

HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

STATEMENT BY
HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE "AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT"

As we celebrate the 12th anniversary of the "Americans With Disabilities Act," we can take pride in the distance we have traveled toward equal opportunity for Americans with disabilities and their families. The ADA -- long with other advances in law, health care, education and technology -- is making it possible for more and more people to take their place as active participants in community life. But there is still so much to be done.

With his New Freedom Initiative, President Bush has placed a special priority on removing the barriers that face people with disabilities. Long-term commitment to this goal is essential, because the barriers that stand in the way of equal access are deep-rooted. They can be found throughout our health care, transportation, housing and education systems and elsewhere.

At HHS, we have a special responsibility to help remove barriers to community integration. Too often, people with disabilities have been forced to live in institutions, many times because the services that would enable them to live in their communities are not available. We need to help provide for those services, and at the same time we need to support the many informal caregivers, the family and friends of people with disabilities, who dedicate themselves to providing the informal help with routine daily life in the community.

Our home and community-based waivers have enabled many states to expand support outside of institutional settings. And in the past two years, some $120 million in System Change Grants have been helping states design and put in place innovative and lasting community-based approaches. Likewise, we've developed new opportunities for Medicaid programs to provide people with disabilities direct funding and control over the health services that best meet their needs. This puts decisions about health services into the hands of the people who receive those services.

Under the Ticket to Work program, we are expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to retain their health insurance when they get employment. And last year, we launched the National Family Caregiver Support Program, to help families care for a loved one at home or in the community. This year the program was funded at $141.5 million.

There are literally scores of other avenues for further action, which we outlined in our report to the President on next steps for the New Freedom Initiative. With the President, HHS stands committed to pursuing the changes, the innovations, the research and the resources that will help millions of Americans play their full part in our society.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.

STATEMENT BY HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE "AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT"

STATEMENT BY
HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE "AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT"