The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
New Freedom Initiative
On February 1, 2001, President George W. Bush announced his New Freedom Initiative to promote the full integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of American life. The goals of this comprehensive plan include expanding educational and employment opportunities; increasing access to assistive technologies and public accommodations; and providing accessible transportation and housing options for individuals with
disabilities.
The New Freedom Initiative builds upon the progress made by the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (ADA) in protecting the civil rights of approximately 54 million Americans with
disabilities. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has taken a lead role in
implementing the employment goals of the Initiative.
EEOC has implemented a number of activities as part of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, including the following:
- Free workshops
EEOC may be able to provide free ADA workshops in our area for small businesses and individuals with disabilities. These workshops, which include information on tax incentives, community resources, and the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, are aimed at encouraging businesses with 15 to 100 employees to hire individuals with disabilities and assisting individuals who are entering the workforce to understand the ADA.
- Outreach speakers
In addition to ongoing ADA outreach activities, EEOC also offers free outreach speakers for various types of events for individuals with disablilites and employers. If you are conducting a conference or activity for individuals with disabilities, EEOC will work with you to provide a speaker at your event.
- Corporate Leadership Conferences
We will work with you to hold a corporate leadership conference to advance the hiring of people with disabilities in your region.
- States' Best Practices Project
EEOC initiated a partnership with several states to promote the hiring of people with disabilities in state government jobs. In addition to reviewing each state's practices with respect to hiring, retention, advancement, and reasonable accommodation, the Commission has and will provide consultation, outreach and technical assistance to the participating states. EEOC issued a final report highlighting best practices and outlining barriers uncovered. The four states covered in the interim report—Florida, Maryland, Vermont, Washington—were joined by Kansas, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Utah in the October 2005 final report.
In addition, we have developed the following:
and Questions and Answers About:
EEOC's New Freedom Initiative Outreach:
To learn more about the New Freedom Initiative, see:
This page was last modified on November 9, 2007.
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