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The 2004 Progress Report: The President's New Freedom Initiative for People with Disabilities

Executive Summary

Introduction

Announced in February 2001, the New Freedom Initiative is President George W. Bush’s bold plan to tear down the remaining barriers to full integration into American life that many of this Nation’s 54 million citizens with disabilities still face. This Progress Report highlights accomplishments under the New Freedom Initiative since the issuance of the May 2002 Progress Report.

Increasing Access Through Technology

Assistive and universally designed technology offers people with disabilities better access than ever before to education, the workplace, and community life. To promote the development and dissemination of technology for individuals with disabilities, the President has:

Inspired by the vision of the New Freedom Initiative, agencies did the following to further promote access to technology for people with disabilities:

Expanding Educational Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities

A quality education is critical to ensure that individuals with disabilities can work and fully participate in their communities. The President has done the following to ensure that no child with a disability is left behind by our Nation’s education system:

Additionally, agencies are advancing the New Freedom Initiative’s goal of ensuring a quality education for youth with disabilities.

Integrating Americans with Disabilities Into the Workforce

More than a decade after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the unemployment rate of people with severe disabilities remains stubbornly high. To bring more people with disabilities into the workplace, the President has:

Federal agencies have also undertaken the following activities to promote increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities:

Promoting Full Access to Community Life

The Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), said that, wherever possible, people with disabilities should be provided services in the community, rather than in institutions. For the promise of full integration into the community to become a reality, people with disabilities need safe and affordable housing, access to transportation, access to the political process, and the right to enjoy whatever services, programs, and activities are offered to all members of the community at both public and private facilities. The President has done the following to promote full integration of individuals with disabilities into the community:

Agencies have also done or are doing the following to advance the goal of full integration of people with disabilities into the community:

Implementation of Olmstead

Housing

Transportation

Improving Access

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