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FOIA Number: 2007-0143-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Legislative Affairs
Series/Staff Member:
Kay Casstevens
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
23495
FolderID:
Folder Title:
Americans with Disabilities Act 2000
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26
1
4
2
ADA
I
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
Date: 7-24-00
ACTION / CONCURRENCE / COMMENT DUE BY: 7-25-00 3pm
Subject: ADA/OTH ANN. - 2 Exec. orders; 2 PDs
ACTION
FYI
ACTION
FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
LOCKHART
PODESTA
MARSHALL
ECHAVESTE
MOORE
RICCHETTI
NASH
LEW
NOLAN
BAILY
REED
BERGER
SPERLING
BLUMENTHAL
STREETT
BRAIN
TRAMONTANO
BURSON
UCELLI
CAHILL
VERVEER
EDMONDS
CC:
FRAMPTON
Brodeuch
IBARRA
Lisu
JOHNSON, B.
Kaun
JOHNSON, J.
Joanna
marty
LANE
REMARKS:
Comments to staff Secy
RESPONSE:
Office of the Staff Secretary
Ext. 62702
DRAFT
7-24-2000
Executive Order
1:15 p.m.
INCREASING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
DISABILITIES TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United
States of America. and in order to promote an increase in the opportunities for individuals with
disabilities to be employed at all levels and occupations of the Federal Government. and to
support the goals articulated in $ 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. -01 et seq.). it
is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Increasing the Federal Employment Opportunities for Individuals with
Disabilities. (a) Recent evidence demonstrates that. throughout the United States. qualified
persons with disabilities have been refused employment despite their availability and
qualifications. and many qualified persons with disabilities are never made aware of available
employment opportunities. Evidence also suggests that increased efforts at outreach. and
increased understanding of the reasonable accommodations available for persons with
disabilities. will permit persons with disabilities to compete for employment on a more level
playing field.
(b) Based on current hiring patterns and anticipated increases from expanded outreach
efforts and appropriate accommodations, the Federal Government. over the next five years. will
be able to hire 100,000 qualified individuals with disabilities. In furtherance of such efforts.
Federal agencies shall:
(1) Use available hiring authorities, consistent with statutes. regulations, and prior
Executive orders and Presidential Memoranda;
(2) Expand their outreach efforts, using both traditional and non-traditional
methods; and
(3) Increase their efforts to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
(c) As a model employer, the Federal Government will take the lead in educating the
public about employment opportunities available for individuals with disabilities.
(d) This order does not require agencies to create new positions or to change existing
qualification standards for any position.
Sec. : = Implementation. Each Federal agency shall prepare a plan is increase the
opportunities for individuals with disabilities to be employ ed in the agency. Each agency shall
submit that plan to the Office of Personnel Management within no days from the date of this
order.
Sec. 3. Authority to Develop Guidance The Office of Personnel Management shall be
authorized to develop guidance on the provisions of this order to increase the opportunities for
individuals with disabilities employed in the Federal emment.
Sec. 4. Judicial Review This order is intended only to improve the internal management
of the executive branch and is not intended to. nor does It create any right or benefit. substantive
or procedural. enforceable at law or equity by a party against the United States. its agencies. its
officers, its employees, or any person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
2
DRAFT
7-24-2000
Executive Order
1:15 1:15 p.m.
REQUIRING FEDERAL AGENCIES TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES
TO FACILITATE THE PROVISION OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United
States of America. and in order to promote a model Federal workplace that provides reasonable
accommodation for (1) individuals with disabilities in the application process for Federal
employment: (2) Federal employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of J
position; and (3) Federal employees with disabilities to enjoy benefits and privileges of
employment equal to those enjoyed by employees without disabilities. as required by the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.). as amended. it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Establishment of Effective Written Procedures to Facilitate the Provision of
Reasonable Accommodation. (a) Each Federal agency shall establish effective written
procedures for processing requests for reasonable accommodation by employees and applicants
with disabilities. Different components of an agency may tailor their procedures as necessary to
ensure the expeditious processing of requests.
(b) As set forth in Re-charting the Course: The First Report of the Presidential Task
Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities (1998), effective written procedures for
processing requests for reasonable accommodation should include the following:
(1) Explain that an employee or job applicant may initiate a request for
reasonable accommodation, orally or in writing. If the agency requires an
applicant or employee to complete a reasonable accommodation request form for
record keeping purposes, the form must be provided as an attachment to the
agency's written procedures;
(2) Explain how the agency will process a request for reasonable accommodation.
and from whom the individual will receive a final decision;
(3) Designate a time period during which reasonable accommodation requests
will be granted or denied, absent extenuating circumstances. Time limits for
decisionmaking should be as short as reasonably possible;
(4) Explain the responsibility of the employee or applicant to provide appropriate
medical information related to the functional impairment at issue and the
requested accommodation where the disability and or need for accommodation
not obvious:
(5) Explain the agency right request rever ant supplemental medical
information if the information submitted does not clearly explain the nature of the
disability. or the need for the reasonable accommodation. or does not otherw :se
clarify how the requested accommodation will assist the employee to perform the
essential functions of the job or to enjoy the benefits and privileges of the
workplace:
(6) Explain the agency's right to have medical information reviewed by a medical
expert of the agency's choosing at the agency's expense:
(7) Provide that reassignment.will be considered as a reasonable accommodation
if the agency determines that no other reasonable accommodation will permit the
employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of his or her current
position;
(8) Provide that reasonable accommodation denials be in writing and specify the
reasons for denial:
(9) Ensure that agencies' systems of record keeping track the processing of
requests for reasonable accommodation and maintain the confidentiality of
medical information received in accordance with applicable law and regulation:
and
(10) Encourage the use of informal dispute resolution processes to allow
individuals with disabilities to obtain prompt reconsideration of denials of
reasonable accommodation. Agencies must also inform individuals with
disabilities that they have the right to file complaints in the EEO Equal
Employment Opportunity and other statutory processes if their requests for
reasonable accommodation, are denied.
Sec. 2. Submission of Agency Reasonable Accommodation Procedures to the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Within one year from the date of this order.
each agency shall submit its procedures to the EEOC. Each agency shall also submit to the
2
EEOC any modifications 10 its reasonable accommodation procedures it the time that those
modifications are adopted
Sec. 3. Collective Bargaining Obligations In adopting their reasonable accommodation
procedures. agencies must honor their obligations to notify their collective bargaining
representative and bargain over such procedures to the extent required by law.
Sec. 4. Implementation. The EEOC shall issue guidance for the implementation of this
order within 90 days from the date of this order.
Sec. 5. Construction and Judicial Review. (a) Nothing in this order limits the rights that
individuals with disabilities may have under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
(b) This order is intended only to improve the internal management of the executive branch and
is not intended to, and does not create any right or benefit. substantive or procedural. enforceable
at law or equity by a party against the United States. its agencies. its officers. its employees. or
any person.
THE WHITE HOUSE.
3
DRAFT
7-24-2000
1:15p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF ALL EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND
AGENCIES
SUBJECT:
Employing People with Significant Disabilities to Fill Federal Agency Jobs That
Can Be Performed at Alternate Work Sites. Including the Home
Cutting edge telecommunications technology has recently made it possible for customer
service "call/contact" centers to transmit voice and data to employees who are located at work
sites other than the call/contact centers, employers' headquarters, or other centralized locations.
Individuals employed as customer service representatives can work from their homes or any
other accessible off-site location just as if they were working in the call /contact centers
themselves. Technology also enables other types of work activities, such as the processing of
insurance claims and financial transactions, to be carried out from such alternate work stations.
The unemployment rate of individuals with significant disabilities is among the highest of
disadvantaged groups in the nation. These individuals are an important untapped resource of
talent and skills, and a key element in the capacity to sustain our historic economic growth. The
increasing use of off-site work stations to carry out significant and competitive work activities
provides a critical new source of employment opportunities for individuals with significant
disabilities.
It is in the interest of the Federal Government to utilize the skills of people with
significant disabilities by recruiting them for appropriate off-site, home-based employment
opportunities with Federal agencies, including employment as home-based customer service
representatives linked to Federal customer service call /contact centers.
To harness the power of new technologies to promote Federal sector employment of
people with significant disabilities, as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701
et seq.), and to improve Federal customer service representation. I direct executive departments
and agencies as follows:
(a) Each head of an executive department or agency operating customer service call
/contact centers shall identify positions that can be relocated to home-based or other off-
site facilities, and can be filled by individuals with significant disabilities.
(b) Each head of an executive department or agency shall identify the appropriateness of
using home-based and other off-site positions to carry out other specific work activities,
such as the processing of insurance claims and financial transactions, that could be
accomplished by individuals with significant disabilities.
(c) If the head of a department or agency determines it is feasible and appropriate to
establish home-based positions pursuant to its actions under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
memorandum. such head shall develop a Plan of Action that encourages (e) the
recruitment and employment of individuals with significant disabilities for such positions
(d) The Plan of Action established pursuant to paragraph (c) of this memorandum shall
be submitted to the President's National Task Force on Employment of Adults with
Disabilities ("Task Force") (created by Executive Order 13078) within 120 days from the
date of this memorandum.
(e) The Task Force. in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management. shall be
authorized to review and approve agency Plans of Action and shall be responsible for
implementing the plans and the provisions of this memorandum.
(f) In implementing this memorandum, agencies must honor their obligations to notify
their collective bargaining representatives and bargain over such procedures to the extent
permitted by law.
(g) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with merit system principles
under law.
(h) This memorandum does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law by a party against the United States, its officers, its employees. or any
other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
2
DRAFT
7-24-2000
1:15 1:15 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF ALL EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND
AGENCIES
SUBJECT:
Renewing the Commitment to Ensure that Federal Programs are Free from
Disability-Based Discrimination.
As we draw near the tenth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we
have much to celebrate. This landmark civil rights law has increased opportunities for
employment, education. and leisure for millions of Americans. Our country is stronger as a
result.
As we celebrate the ADA, we cannot forget that it was built on the solid foundation of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("Act"), (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.), as amended. which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of disability in Federal programs and activities. One important goal
of the Act for the Federal Government is to set an example for the rest of the country by being a
model employer and providing exemplary service to its customers with disabilities. While this
goal remains constant, the nature and structure of government have changed in the decades since
the inception of the Act. New agencies have been formed, while others no longer exist.
Government is more efficient and doing more with less.
The time has come to reaffirm the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring that
agencies' programs are free from discrimination. The means we use to accomplish our goals
should be tailored to the changing nature of government.
I call upon the Department of Justice, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
("EEOC"), the Interagency Disability Coordinating Council (IDCC), and the President's National
Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities to provide leadership to Federal agencies
in meeting their common goal: to ensure that today's Federal programs - - including programs of
employment continue to be readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.
To meet this goal, I hereby direct the Department of Justice and the EEOC, in close
consultation with the IDCC and the Presidents National Task Force on Employment of Adults
with Disabilities, to develop priorities under which agencies will focus on specific programs or
types of programs to ensure that they are readily accessible to persons with disabilities in
accordance with the requirements of sections 501, 504, and 508 of the Act. As the initial steps,
agencies are directed to do the following:
(a)
Make all programs offered on their Internet and Intranet sites accessible to people
with disabilities by July 27, 2001, consistent with the requirements of the Act and
subject to the availability of appropriations and technology; and
(b)
Publish by various means, including by incorporation on all agency Internet home
pages, the name and contact information for the office(s) responsible for
coordinating the agency's compliance with sections 501 and 504 of the Act.
I direct the IDCC to coordinate executive agencies' efforts to make the Federal
Government's electronic and information technology accessible to persons with disabilities.
I designate the Administrator of the General Services Administration and the Secretary of
Defense to participate in the IDCC. in addition to those members set out by statute (29 U.S.C.
§ 794c).
These steps will enable Federal agencies to work together as they renew their ongoing
commitment to ensure that Federal programs do not discriminate against people on the basis of
disability.
Nothing in this memorandum is intended in any way to limit the effect or mandate of
Executive Order 12250 of November 2, 1980, which conveys certain authorities upon the
Attorney General, or Executive Order 12067 of June 30, 1978, which conveys certain authorities
upon the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
This memorandum is for the internal management of the executive branch and does not
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable by a party against the United
States, its agencies or instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
2
PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE FIRST LADY COMMEMORATE THE 10TH
ANIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Announce New Action to Expand Employment Opportunities and Ensure Equality for
Individuals With Disabilities
Today, in an event at the FDR Memorial, President Clinton with the First Lady and leaders of the
disability community will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and take new action to further the goals of the ADA by: increasing Federal employment
opportunities for people with disabilities; ensuring that Federal agencies establish effective
procedures for addressing reasonable accommodation requests and that federal programs are free
from disability-based discrimination; and reducing the barriers that Social Security beneficiaries
face when they return to work. The President will also announce his intention to work with the
Congress in the context of an overall budget framework to enact legislation that builds on the
success of the Work Incentives Improvement Act by allowing children with disabilities to continue
their Medicaid coverage even if their parents have returned to work. Finally, the President will
unveil the Access America for People with Disabilities website created to provide quick access to
services and other resources for people with disabilities and their families. Today the First Lady
will announce a series of initiatives to improve and increase opportunities for young people with
disabilities to successfully transition to work and achieve independence. Yesterday, Vice President
Gore announced a number of initiatives to provide home and community based options for people
with disabilities who frequently have no choice but institutionalization. These announcements build
on the Clinton/Gore Administration's commitment to advancing the rights of people with
disabilities as full participants in all of society and preserving the spirit and intent of the ADA.
ASSISTING DISABLED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES WHO ARE WORKING
OR WANT TO GO TO WORK. These proposals to be announced by the President reflect the
ADA's focus on helping individuals with disabilities to fully participate in the workforce by
reducing the barriers that Social Security beneficiaries face when they return to work.
Automatically adjusting the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level for individuals with
disabilities. The Administration proposes to encourage additional disabled individuals to
return to work with enhanced security by increasing the SGA levels to reflect the annual
increases in the national average wage index. Since the beginning of the Social Security
disability program in 1956, there have been no regularly scheduled increases in SGA. Last
year, the Administration increased the amount that Social Security disability beneficiaries can
earn - from $500 to $700 per month - and continue to receive their benefits. Each year,
approximately 400,000 disability beneficiaries participate in the workforce. Many hesitate to
work because they cannot afford to give up critical benefits.
Increase the amount of monthly earning that count during a trial work period for Social
Security beneficiaries who go to work. This increase will encourage beneficiaries with
disabilities to contribute their talent and energy to the workforce and test their ability to
maintain a level of work activity without affecting their disability benefits by increasing from
$200 to $530 the minimum amount of monthly earnings that count toward a monthly work
period. The President is also proposing to automatically adjust the amount thereafter based
on any annual increases in the national average wage index.
INCREASING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO BE
EMPLOYED IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. The President will issue an Executive
Order calling on Federal agencies to hire 100,000 people with disabilities over a five-year period.
This ambitious commitment exceeds current hiring trends by 60 percent, reflecting this
Administration's strong commitment to making the Federal government a model employer by
recruiting a diverse and well-qualified workforce. The President believes that the Federal
government is ready to meet this challenge. This Executive Order calls on agencies to recruit
individuals with disabilities for the full range of levels and occupations in the Federal government.
The President will also direct Federal agencies to establish effective procedures for processing
requests for reasonable accommodation by employees and job applicants with disabilities. A
reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way a job is performed
that enables a person with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities. Although many
individuals with disabilities can apply for and perform jobs without any reasonable
accommodations, workplace barriers - whether physical or procedural - may keep others from
performing jobs that they could do with some form of accommodation. Finally, to harness the
power of new technologies to promote employment of people with significant disabilities, the
President will call on Federal agencies that already operate customer service centers to identify
positions that could be relocated to home-based or off-site facilities. If the agencies determine that it
is feasible and appropriate to establish home-based positions, they are then required to develop a
plan and guidelines that encourages the recruitment and employment of individuals with disabilities
for such positions.
-
RENEWING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT
FEDERAL PROGRAMS ARE FREE FROM DISABILITY-BASED DISCRIMINATION.
The President will direct all Federal agencies to engage in a plan to ensure that today's Federal
programs are free from disability-based discrimination, using specific steps designed by the
Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to reach this
important goal. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the ADA, we should renew our
commitment to ensure that people with disabilities have equal employment opportunities within the
Federal government and are fully able to participate in all Federal government programs.
ACCESS AMERICA FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WEBSITE. In keeping with
President Clinton and Vice President Gore's vision of using information technology to increase and
improve customer service, the President announced a new website, Access America for People with
Disabilities - www.disAbility.gov. - that will serve as a "one-stop" electronic link to an enormous
range of useful information to people with disabilities and their families. The website contains
information relating to children and youth; employment, self employment, and entrepreneurship;
transportation; health care and long term services and supports; choice and self-determination;
recreation and travel; civil rights and protections; college, adult and vocational education; housing;
technology; income supports; tax credits and deductions; disability statistics; and emergency
preparedness.
ANNOUNCING SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MEDICAID
FOR WORKING FAMILIES WITH DISABLED CHILDREN. Today, the President will
applaud the efforts of bipartisan members of Congress to pass the Grassley- Kennedy-
Sessions-Waxman Family Opportunity Act of 2000 (S. 2274 and HR 4825), sponsored by
a bipartisan majority in the Senate and a growing coalition in the House. This bill, which is
the next logical step beyond the Jeffords-Kennedy Work Incentives Improvement Act,
creates a new Medicaid buy-in option for thousands of children with disabilities who lose
their Medicaid coverage because of increased family income due to employment and a
time-limited demonstration that extends Medicaid coverage to children who have a
disabling condition that, without health care coverage, would cause them to become so
severely disabled as to be eligible for SSI. The President announced that he will work
with the Congress to enact legislation that achieves these goals in the context of a fiscally
responsible budget framework.
ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. The
First Lady will announce a series of steps to help young people successfully transition from
education to employment including:
Helping to bridge the transition from education to employment for students with
disabilities. Young people with disabilities face enormous challenges when transitioning from
education to employment in the workplace. The First Lady announced the Administration's
commitment to increase the amount that students who receive SSI can earn while continuing to
receive the important protection SSI provides. The Administration will increase the maximum
monthly earned income exclusion for students who receive Supplemental Security Income from
$400 to $1,290 and the yearly exclusion from $1,620 to $5,200. The Administration is
proposing to automatically adjust these amounts thereafter based on any annual increases in the
cost-of-living index.
Working with youth to reach adult employment: the youth to work initiative. Recognizing
that starting early is key to helping adults with disabilities gain employment skills and thrive in
the workplace, the First Lady announced a new interagency Youth to Work Initiative. This
Initiative would be created by amending the Executive Order that established the Presidential
Taskforce on Employment of Adults with Disabilities to focus the mission on the important
issue of helping young people make the transition from school to work. Youth with disabilities
who want to enter the workforce face many barriers to employment, including low educational
attainment, as well as low educational and employment expectations. Under the structure of the
Taskforce, the Youth to Work Initiative will strengthen interagency research, demonstration
projects, and education and training activities for youth to work activities. It will create a public
awareness campaign to focus on youth with disabilities and reduce the stigma of their entering
the workforce. To ensure fairness, this Initiative will ensure that youth with disabilities are
included in all youth programs in federal agencies. To help ease the transition to work, it will
explore how to increase access to health care and postsecondary education and training for
youth going to work.
Able to work consortium to help youth with disabilities access job opportunities. The
Presidential Taskforce on the Employment of Adults with Disabilities has worked with several
major corporations to begin a public-private partnership that will help ensure that youth with
disabilities are afforded the employment opportunities needed to lead to meaningful careers.
These corporations, representing technology, pharmaceuticals, banking and investment,
manufacturing, and communications, have volunteered to lead by example in demonstrating to
other major corporations the importance and viability of hiring young people with disabilities.
These pioneering companies will actively serve as mentors to other companies hiring youth with
disabilities.
HELPING DISABLED INDIVIDUALS LIVE AND WORK IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
Yesterday, Vice President Gore announced that the Clinton-Gore Administration will launch a series of
major new initiatives designed to promote the delivery of home- and community-based care for people
with disabilities of all ages. These initiatives include a new $50 million investment in FY 2001 to help
states more easily offer services to people with disabilities of all ages in the setting most appropriate to
their needs; new guidance to state Medicaid directors to help them comply with the recent Olmstead
Supreme Court ruling requiring Medicaid coverage for home and community based services; and a new
public-private partnership between the Administration and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to
help individuals with disabilities in institutional settings transition into community-based care. In
addition, the Vice President will announce new action to increase home ownership; expand incentives
for employment for individuals with disabilities to a broader range of housing assistance programs; and
promote the development of new assistive technology for people with disabilities.
WORKING TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THE ADA. Throughout this Administration,
President Clinton and Vice President Gore have worked hard to achieve the ADA's core goals -
equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. This
Administration has vigorously defended the ADA in court cases across the Nation; collaborated
with State Medicaid directors to implement the Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead decision, which
prohibits unjustified isolation of institutionalized persons with disabilities; helped ensure that 80
percent of America's public transit buses are now accessible; implemented the Ticket to Work and
Work Incentives Improvement Act, which the President signed into law last December; and
developed far-reaching policies for a comprehensive, coordinated employment agenda through the
Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities
PRESIDENT URGES THE CONGRESS TO ACT NOW ON NATIONAL PRIORITIES
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. The President will urge the Congress to act now on
national priorities that will address the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and are fully
funded in his budget, including:
A new $1,000 tax credit to offset the formal and informal employment related
costs incurred by working people with disabilities. This tax credit would provide a
new incentive for approximately 200,000-300,000 people with disabilities to begin
working, and help those people with jobs maintain them. It would complement the
Work Incentives Improvement Act and would be available to all people with
disabilities, irrespective of their state Medicaid eligibility options. For participants in
the Work Incentives Improvement Act Medicaid buy-in, this tax credit could pay for
services not covered (e.g., assistive technology, transportation).
A new $3,000 long-term care tax credit. This initiative acknowledges and supports
almost 2 million Americans with long-term care needs and the family members who
care for them through a $3,000 tax credit, an investment of $27 billion over 10
years. This new tax credit supports the diverse needs of families by compensating a
wide range of formal or informal long-term care for people of all ages with three or
more limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) or a comparable cognitive
impairment.
Providing an affordable, accessible Medicare prescription drug benefit option for
all beneficiaries. The President has proposed a voluntary, affordable Medicare
prescription drug benefit for all beneficiaries, including up to 5 million people with
disabilities. Beginning in 2002, it would provide prescription drug coverage that
would have a zero deductible and cover half of all prescription drug costs up to
$5,000 when fully phased in. It will also limit all out-of-pocket medication costs to
$4,000. This optional benefit would also provide negotiated discounts that would
ensure that Medicare beneficiaries no longer pay the highest prices in the
marketplace. The President's proposal is part of a broader set of reforms that would
take the Medicare Trust Fund off budget, extend its life to at least 2030, make the
program more efficient and competitive, and dedicate $40 billion over 10 years to
improve health care provider payment rates.
A strong, enforceable Patients' Bill of Rights. This legislation endorsed by over 200
health care provider and consumer advocacy groups, is the only bipartisan proposal
currently being considered that includes: protections for all Americans in all health
plans; protections for patients accessing emergency room care from financial
sanctions; requirements that all health plans ensure continuity of care for patients in
the middle of a course of treatment; guarantees that assure access to necessary
and accessible health care specialists; meaningful enforcement mechanisms that
ensure recourse for patients who have been harmed as a result of a health plan's
actions.
Establishing an Office of Disability Policy. The Clinton-Gore Administration supports
establishing an Office of Disability Policy within the Department of Labor, and improving
access for adults with disabilities to employment services offered through one-stop career
center systems. The President's FY 2001 budget includes $21 million for the Office of
Disability Policy, which was recommended by the Presidential Task Force on Employment
of Adults with Disabilities.
Deliverables for the ADA Events July 25 & 26
President
Theme: Employment Opportunities and Equality
SUBJECT
DESCRIPTION
FORMAT
STATUS
ANNOUNCE
Increase the number of
The Federal Government shall hire 100,000
Executive Order
DPC
July 26, 2000
individuals with disabilities
qualified individuals with disabilities over 5 years
employed in the federal
into all levels and occupations of the Government, to
government.
the maximum extent feasible.
Requiring Federal agencies to
Federal agencies shall establish effective written
Executive Order
DPC
July 26, 2000
establish effective written
procedures for processing requests for reasonable
procedures for processing
accommodations for people with disabilities.
requests for reasonable
accommodation.
Section 504 Enforcement
Federal agencies will work with the Department of
Executive Memo
DPC
July 26, 2000
Justice and EEOC to develop plans to evaluate
agency programs, activities and facilities for
compliance with sections 501 and 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination
on the basis of disability in federal programs and
activities.
Encourage Federal Agencies
Agencies operating customer service centers shall
Executive Memo
DPC
July 26, 2000
with Customer Service Call
examine the feasibility and appropriateness of using
Centers to Explore Ways to
home-based employees as customer service
Hire People with Disabilities
representatives. If it is appropriate to establish
(TF '99)
home-based positions, agencies shall implement
procedures that encourage the recruitment and
employment of people with significant disabilities
for such positions.
Adjust the Substantial Gainful
SSA is proposing significant changes to the amounts
Regulatory
OMB
July 26, 2000
Activity Levels to Encourage
that disabled adults can earn and be eligible for DI
Change
Work Efforts
or SSI benefits. Under these proposals, the amounts
would be adjusted annually based on the national
(Note: These proposals do not
average wage index.
address the "SSI Earned
965-3988
Income Exclusion." One of
Indexing the Substantial Gainful Activity Level.
the proposals on the First
Annually adjust per the average wage index, the
Lady's list deals with the
earnings level used to determine whether work
student version. We are not
done by persons with impairments other than
27/30/2003 10/year
addressing the adult recipients
blindness is substantial gainful activity.
at this time.)
Currently, the SGA level is changed on an ad
hoc basis through regulation. (SSI and DI)
Increase (from $200 to $530) the Monthly Trial
Work Period (TWP) Service Level. During the
TWP DI beneficiaries can test their ability to
work without fear of losing benefits. Any
month's earnings that exceed the TWP service
amount counts as a TWP month. In addition, the
TWP service amount would be annually adjusted
based on the national average wage. (DI Only)
Create "Access America for
Provide information and services offered by
Announcement
Done
July 26, 2000
People with Disabilities" Web
virtually every major federal government agency, by
of Website
Site - SSA/DOL (TF'99)
linking to an abundance of helpful Federal agency
sites, programs and services.
Strong, Enforceable Patient's
Legislation
In Congress
Pending
Bill of Rights (TF '99)
Tax Credit to Assist Adults
Provide flexible ways to assist people with
Budget Proposal
In Congress
Pending
with Disabilities with
disabilities in defraying the costs of personal
Expenses Related to Work
attendant services, technologies and other services
(TF '99)
required for employment.
2