U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today made the 13th stop on his tour across America, continuing his efforts to build awareness of the historic No Child Left Behind Act and rally Americans to help implement this new law. Paige addressed the national meeting of the National Federation of the Blind in Louisville, Ky.

"Our president believes there are no limits to what can be achieved when all Americans have the opportunity to learn, live independently, and pursue their dreams," Paige said. "During his first month in office, the president unveiled his New Freedom Initiative to improve access for children and adults with disabilities -- including the blind -- to education and work and the means of achieving their greatest potential. And the Department of Education has a role to play."

Paige noted that the Department of Education not only helps to ensure that disabled children receive a free appropriate public education, but also helps to remove barriers to employment and improve opportunities for adults with disabilities.

"The Department of Education is aggressively leading the effort to remove barriers preventing people with disabilities from finding meaningful work," Paige said. "The barriers could be anything from getting into the building to having the proper equipment and support to do their jobs. Our job is to tear them down."

To help achieve the administration's goals, the president is seeking $30 million in 2003 to award incentive grants to improve performance under the $2.5 billion Vocational Rehabilitation program. These grants will help more individuals with disabilities find good jobs.

In addition, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) is distributing $20 million in matching grants to states so people with disabilities can "telework" with the help of technology. RSA is empowering states to help individuals with physical, mental or sensory disabilities get the training, counseling, medical services or other assistance they need to land a job and live independently.

Secretary Paige also noted that the Bush administration is working to strengthen services to students with disabilities by providing the largest funding increase ever requested by a president for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) -- an additional $1 billion for grants to states to serve children with disabilities. He also said that the administration will work with congress to ensure the reauthorization of IDEA insists on high standards and results. And, Paige said, the Department of Education will work with colleges and universities to ensure that special education teachers who work with blind and other special-needs children are highly qualified and well-trained.

"As we work to ensure the president's goal of greater access and opportunity for all, we are ever mindful that, for many blind Americans, the stumbling blocks begin early, when they first enter school," Paige said. "President Bush has said he wants no child left behind -- and that includes blind children and other students with disabilities. Fortunately, we have a great tool -- the new bipartisan education reforms in the No Child Left Behind law.

Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which President Bush signed in January, states and school districts will develop strong systems of accountability based upon student performance. The new law also gives states and school districts increased local control and flexibility, removing federal red tape and bureaucracy and putting decision making in the hands of those at the local and state levels. Parents of children from disadvantaged backgrounds will have options under the new law to participate in public school choice programs or obtain supplemental services such as tutoring. And, teachers around the country will be encouraged to use teaching methods based upon scientific research that show they have been proven to work.

Paige kicked off his tour in Albuquerque, N.M., in April 2002 to educate parents, educators, community and business leaders, and other stakeholders about the most sweeping change in education policy in three decades -- and to ask for their help in strengthening our schools and leaving no child behind. Paige will make stops in Florida and Colorado later this week.

For more information about the new law, please visit www.nochildleftbehind.gov.

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