REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE
NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION DISABILITY COALITION MEETING
WASHINGTON, D.C
NOV. 13, 2002
12:45 P.M.
Good afternoon. And
welcome everyone.
Before I begin,
I would like to single out Sandra Cammaroto and her staff for the
outstanding job that they have done in putting together this important
disability coalition meeting. They
are also to be commended for all their efforts to make sure that persons with
special needs are treated with the same respect at security checkpoints as every
other American citizen.
President Bush and Vice President Cheney have stressed the
need for a transportation system that is inclusive and accessible to all people
in the United States.
Over the past decade,
we have made major strides in assuring that everyone can enjoy the
mobility that our Nation’s transportation system provides.
The President, in his New Freedom Initiative, has committed
the Administration to working for the full inclusion of people with disabilities
in all aspects of American life, to lowering barriers, and to increasing
opportunity.
As you know, I have worked for disability rights for many
years, and am proud to have sponsored the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Today, I am pleased to have the honor of addressing the
first disability coalition established by the Department of Transportation and
the Transportation Security Administration.
This is a significant milestone to have DOT, TSA, and the more than 20 organizations you represent here, united in our efforts to continue developing the policies and procedures for persons with disabilities in the security screening process.
We know the security threat to our Nation’s aviation
infrastructure and the Nation at large has not diminished.
It remains a very dangerous world, and I truly appreciate that you are
working with us to help deny our enemies the opportunity to use special needs as
a subterfuge for their nefarious and cowardly aims.
Our major goal in transportation security is simple to
state, but very challenging to accomplish.
We seek to prevent security incidents in the aviation
system and other modes of transportation, by designing a world-class
transportation system with safety for all.
With your help, we will accomplish these goals.
And while we are striving to accomplish this mission, we acknowledge that we need to consider how our customers are treated as they go through the screening process.
Unfortunately, in the past, persons with disabilities did
not experience consistent process and treatment from airport to airport, since
there were no specific or consistent procedures nationwide prior to September
11, 2001.
As you know, TSA and the rest of the Department of
Transportation have been proactive in addressing the needs of those with
disabilities.
The establishment of this coalition and the focus on
disability issues related to the security screening process are top priorities
of our Department.
Your participation in this coalition has already made an incredible impact on how persons with disabilities are being and will be screened in the future. With your help, for the first time in history, screening procedures have been developed that not only meet the security intent of the program, but also meet the needs of the disability community.
This morning you have been hearing and talking about the
accomplishments thus far –
establishment of a screener training program, specific screening
procedures aimed at sensitizing and educating screeners, and development of
assistance and communication techniques.
We realize much more work needs to be done and with your
help this program will continue to evolve and be refined.
Our theme is “Constant Improvement to Achieve World Class Customer
Service” for all customers, including those with disabilities.
I endorse this coalition’s efforts and will support you and TSA as you move forward to meet the needs of those with special needs at airport security checkpoints and gates across the United States, and in all aspects of transportation in America. I know that we speak with one voice when I say that accessibility is a civil right.
Thank you, travel safely, God bless you and God bless America.
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