We are currently remodeling

Skip Navigation

Main Navigation Bar (Deactivated)

Public Policy

The goal of the Disability Policy Collaboration is to impact national public policy for people with developmental disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability, and their friends, families and loved ones.

Go back to top

Technology

Bush Announces Two Disability Initiatives

In a press conference on June 19, President Bush announced two disability initiatives. First, he issued an Executive Order requiring federal agencies to coordinate efforts to implement the Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead decree on community services for people with disabilities. The federal agencies involved in coordinating will be the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Justice, and the Social Security Administration.

Second, Bush announced that June 25 is the effective date for federal implementation of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. This rule requires federal agencies to make their Internet sites accessible to people with disabilities. Bush also pledged to continue working for other provisions of his New Freedom initiative, including expediting the development of assistive technologies.

Section 508's author, Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-VT), attended the Bush announcement. Also attending the announcement were Reps. Mark Green (R-WI), who is sponsoring legislation to expand the use of Section 8 low-income housing subsidies for people with disabilities, and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), who uses a wheelchair.

See the transcript of President Bush's announcement.