Memorandum for Governor Sununu from Roger B. Porter and David Q. Bates Regarding Development of Administration Disability Policy

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 21, 1989 MEMORANDUM FOR GOVERNOR SUNUNU FROM: ROGER B. PORTER DAVID Q. BATES Fids RBP SUBJECT: Development of Administration Disability Policy The President has long favored improving opportunities for disabled Americans. Last year, he said, "I share your goal of integrating disabled Americans fully and equally into the mainstream of American life We are working to increase the economic and personal independence of disabled Americans." This memorandum is to bring you up to date on the work underway to respond to the President's interest in this issue. Since this issue has such widespread impacts in both the public and private sectors, it is extraordinarily important that Administration policy be developed carefully, but expeditiously. Many members of Congress are also intensely interested, and we need to insure that we have their thinking and views as we develop policy on this issue. In order better to coordinate the development of Administration disability policy, Attorney General Thornburgh has established a Domestic Policy Council Working Group on Disability Policy. It has representatives from many departments and agencies, including Evan Kemp, from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The working group is presently preparing a detailed work plan including Administration disability policy principles to guide the refining of specific policy initiatives. It is vital that thorough analysis and coordination with affected groups be undertaken as part of this process. The following assignments have been made: The Office of Management and Budget is coordinating agency and departmental evaluations of proposed changes involving activities that relate to their departments. These evaluations include the Departments of Commerce, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal Communications Commission. The Council of Economic Advisers will perform analyses of the economic impacts of potential policy and program changes on the public and private sectors.