|
|
|
This was off the campaign website for GW Bush about disabilities. As
educators we may be interested in this as education is discussed. France
Disabilities
Governor Bush believes that all Americans should have the opportunity to
learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, choose where to live,
and participate in community life. Although progress has been made over the
last two decades -most prominently with the passage of the Americans with
Disabilities Act in 1990 - Governor Bush believes that much more needs to be
done. Governor Bush has proposed a "New Freedom Initiative," $1.025 billion
over 5 years to expand access to assistive technology, to further integrate
Americans with disabilities into the workforce, and to remove barriers to
full participation in community life for all Americans.
Governor Bush's Approach
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Independent Living: Assistive and universally designed technology can
significantly enhance the independence and quality of life for people with
disabilities. Governor Bush will remove the federal barriers to assistive
technology by increasing funding for research, improving federal
coordination, and improving access to assistive technology. Education and
homeownership are other keys to independent living, and Governor Bush will
expand access to quality education and homeownership.
Expand Work Opportunity: As President, Governor Bush will work to ensure
that Americans with disabilities can claim their rightful place in the
workforce. Under the ADA, workplaces are less forbidding that they once
were. But many still find it difficult or impossible to get to the
workplace. Therefore, Governor Bush will pass measures to make
transportation more accessible and affordable and to aggressively promote
telework. In addition, Governor Bush will ensure that Americans with
disabilities do not lose their disabilities benefits once they take a job.
Access to Community Life: Governor Bush believes that we should work
together to eliminate barriers to full participation in civic life.
Americans with disabilities should have full access to community-based care,
quality mental health services, access to the political process, and access
to ADA-exempt organizations such as religious organizations and clubs.
Governor Bush's "New Freedom Initiative"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Governor Bush has proposed a comprehensive "New Freedom Initiative" to help
ensure that all Americans with disabilities have every chance to use their
own skills and make more of their own choices to pursue the American dream.
To increase access to technology for Americans with disabilities and expand
opportunities to function, learn, and live independently, as President,
Governor Bush will:
Triple the Rehabilitative Engineering Research Centers' budget for assistive
technologies.
Create a new fund to help bring assistive technologies to market.
Increase tenfold the funding for low-interest loan programs to purchase
assistive technologies.
In addition, Governor Bush will:
Work with Congress to increase funding for special education with the goal
of meeting the federal obligation under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act.
Focus Title I funds on earlier grades to identify children with
disabilities, and invest $5 billion over five years to establish the
"Reading First" program.
Reform HUD's Section 8 rental voucher program for people with disabilities
to permit recipients to use up to a year's worth of vouchers to finance the
down payment on a home.
To further integrate Americans with disabilities into the workforce,
Governor Bush will:
Provide $20 million in federal matching funds to states to guarantee
low-interest loans for individuals with disabilities to purchase computers
and other equipment necessary to telework from home.
Support legislation to make a company's contribution of computer and
Internet access for home use by employees with disabilities a tax-free
benefit.
Promote innovative transportation solutions for people with disabilities by
providing $45 million in funding for 10 pilot programs run by state or local
governments in regional, urban, and rural areas.
Establish a competitive, $100 million matching grant program to promote
access to community-based alternative methods of transportation.
Sign an Executive Order to support effective and swift implementation of the
"Ticket-to-Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act" that gives Americans
with disabilities the ability to choose their own support services and
maintain their health benefits when they return to work.
Support full enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and provide
$25 million in technical assistance to help small businesses comply with the
Act.
To increase access for Americans with disabilities into community life,
Governor Bush will:
Sign an Executive Order supporting the most integrated community-based
setting for individuals with disabilities, pursuant to the Supreme Court
decision in Olmstead.
Create a National Commission to recommend reforms of the mental health
service delivery system and support improving access to the polls and ballot
secrecy for people with disabilities.
Provide $10 million in matching funds annually to increase the accessibility
of organizations that are currently exempt from Title III of the ADA, such
as churches, mosques, synagogues, and civic organizations.
Governor Bush's Record
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
As Governor of Texas, Governor Bush has increased opportunities for
individuals with disabilities, ranging from committing additional resources
for community-based services and encouraging employment, to increasing
access to public facilities and making appointments to state boards,
commissions, and the Texas Supreme Court. Specifically, Governor Bush has:
Increased Access to Services
Worked with the Legislature to increase funding for community-based services
by more than $1.7 billion, a 72 percent increase since taking office.
In September 1999, Directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
(HHSC) to conduct a comprehensive review of all services and support systems
available to people with disabilities in Texas and make recommendations on
how Texas can improve its programs for people with disabilities.
Signed legislation creating a pilot voucher program for personal assistance
services.
Promoted and signed legislation that created the Children's Health Insurance
Program providing access to health care for every child up to 200% of the
poverty level, including children with disabilities.
Signed legislation that requires that at least one member of the board of
the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation be a consumer
of MHMR services, or a family member of a consumer of those services.
Increased Access to Employment
Released first-ever Texas data about state employees showing that
professional level employment of persons with disabilities in state
government is increasing.
Encouraged state agency directors to increase employment of persons with
disabilities and to use the Job Accommodation Network to make reasonable
accommodations.
Employed college students with disabilities in the "Governor's Fellowship
Program."
Signed legislation that strengthened non-discrimination based on genetic
testing.
Increased Access through Appointments
Appointed an accomplished attorney with a disability to the Texas Supreme
Court.
Appointed many Texans with disabilities to serve on state boards and
commissions such as the Science and Technology Council, the Board of
Architectural Examiners, the Board for Nursing Facility Administrators, and
many disability-related boards.
Increased Education Access
Promoted and signed legislation that provided for increased local control of
education, including increased district and campus accountability for
performance of students with disabilities.
Signed revisions to the Texas Education Code allowing assistive technology
devices to follow students to new school districts or to adult service
providers.
Required the Texas Education Agency to provide parents of special education
students a comprehensive, easily understood document setting forth their
legal rights and responsibilities.
Signed legislation that increased the use of Spanish in the development of
individualized special education plans as necessary.
Increased Technology Access
Created a Governor's Office website that includes disability information.
Signed legislation that requires state agency websites to be accessible to
persons with disabilities.
Signed legislation that ensured accessible telecommunications services to
Texans with disabilities.
Signed legislation creating and expanding a specialized telecommunications
device assistance program for people with disabilities.
Increased Access to Communities, Public Facilities and Homes
Signed legislation that improved accessible parking for persons with
disabilities, including increased fines for violators.
Signed legislation that strengthened the state architectural barriers act
which includes a system of building plan reviews and inspections.
Promoted and signed legislation creating funding for preservation of
historic Texas county courthouses, that can include ADA renovations.
One of fewer than five states, whose accessibility standards have been
certified by the U.S. Department of Justice as equivalent to the ADA
accessibility guidelines.
Signed legislation that requires "visitability," basic access, in publicly
funded, single family homes.
Signed legislation that defined assistance dogs to include guide and support
dogs and increased penalties for non-admittance to public facilities by
persons using such dogs.
Signed legislation that requires reasonable accommodations for jurors who
are deaf or hard of hearing.
Provided training for Governor's Office employees on the requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
Completed renovation of the Governor's Mansion and office building to
increase accessibility for people with disabilities.
In addition, Governor Bush's Presidential Campaign Is Accessible to People
with Disabilities:
Campaign office is accessible to individuals using wheelchairs.
Campaign events are translated into sign language.
Campaign phones are accessible to hearing impaired individuals through a
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD).
Campaign Website accessible to individuals with disabilities and Bobby
compliant.
Campaign materials are accessible for individuals with visual impairments
and are available in Braille and large print from the campaign.
Position Proposals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Fact Sheet: New Freedom Initiative
Fact Sheet: Work Opportunities For Every American
[Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view this file. To download Acrobat
Reader please visit the Other Tools portion of the Toolbox section (link in
left navigation bar). In the Other Tools section you will also find a link
to Adobe's Accessibility Reader. This version of Adobe's Reader helps make
Adobe PDF files accessible to users with visual disabilities.]
|
|
|
Archives |
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011, Week 3
January 2011, Week 2
January 2011, Week 1
January 2011
December 2010, Week 5
December 2010, Week 4
December 2010, Week 3
December 2010, Week 2
December 2010, Week 1
November 2010, Week 5
November 2010, Week 4
November 2010, Week 3
November 2010, Week 2
November 2010, Week 1
October 2010, Week 5
October 2010, Week 4
October 2010, Week 3
October 2010, Week 2
October 2010, Week 1
September 2010, Week 5
September 2010, Week 4
September 2010, Week 3
September 2010, Week 2
September 2010, Week 1
August 2010, Week 5
August 2010, Week 4
August 2010, Week 3
August 2010, Week 2
August 2010, Week 1
July 2010, Week 5
July 2010, Week 4
July 2010, Week 3
July 2010, Week 2
July 2010, Week 1
June 2010, Week 5
June 2010, Week 4
June 2010, Week 3
June 2010, Week 2
June 2010, Week 1
May 2010, Week 4
May 2010, Week 3
May 2010, Week 2
May 2010, Week 1
April 2010, Week 5
April 2010, Week 4
April 2010, Week 3
April 2010, Week 2
April 2010, Week 1
March 2010, Week 5
March 2010, Week 4
March 2010, Week 3
March 2010, Week 2
March 2010, Week 1
February 2010, Week 4
February 2010, Week 3
February 2010, Week 2
February 2010, Week 1
January 2010, Week 5
January 2010, Week 4
January 2010, Week 3
January 2010, Week 2
January 2010, Week 1
December 2009, Week 5
December 2009, Week 4
December 2009, Week 3
December 2009, Week 2
December 2009, Week 1
November 2009, Week 5
November 2009, Week 4
November 2009, Week 3
November 2009, Week 2
November 2009, Week 1
October 2009, Week 5
October 2009, Week 4
October 2009, Week 3
October 2009, Week 2
October 2009, Week 1
September 2009, Week 5
September 2009, Week 4
September 2009, Week 3
September 2009, Week 2
September 2009, Week 1
August 2009, Week 5
August 2009, Week 4
August 2009, Week 3
August 2009, Week 2
August 2009, Week 1
July 2009, Week 5
July 2009, Week 4
July 2009, Week 3
July 2009, Week 2
July 2009, Week 1
June 2009, Week 5
June 2009, Week 4
June 2009, Week 3
June 2009, Week 2
June 2009, Week 1
May 2009, Week 5
May 2009, Week 4
May 2009, Week 3
May 2009, Week 2
May 2009, Week 1
April 2009, Week 5
April 2009, Week 4
April 2009, Week 3
April 2009, Week 2
April 2009, Week 1
March 2009, Week 5
March 2009, Week 4
March 2009, Week 3
March 2009, Week 2
March 2009, Week 1
February 2009, Week 4
February 2009, Week 3
February 2009, Week 2
February 2009, Week 1
January 2009, Week 5
January 2009, Week 4
January 2009, Week 3
January 2009, Week 2
January 2009, Week 1
December 2008, Week 5
December 2008, Week 4
December 2008, Week 3
December 2008, Week 2
December 2008, Week 1
November 2008, Week 5
November 2008, Week 4
November 2008, Week 3
November 2008, Week 2
November 2008, Week 1
October 2008, Week 5
October 2008, Week 4
October 2008, Week 3
October 2008, Week 2
October 2008, Week 1
September 2008, Week 5
September 2008, Week 4
September 2008, Week 3
September 2008, Week 2
September 2008, Week 1
August 2008, Week 5
August 2008, Week 4
August 2008, Week 3
August 2008, Week 2
August 2008, Week 1
July 2008, Week 5
July 2008, Week 4
July 2008, Week 3
July 2008, Week 2
July 2008, Week 1
June 2008, Week 5
June 2008, Week 4
June 2008, Week 3
June 2008, Week 2
June 2008, Week 1
May 2008, Week 5
May 2008, Week 4
May 2008, Week 3
May 2008, Week 2
May 2008, Week 1
April 2008, Week 5
April 2008, Week 4
April 2008, Week 3
April 2008, Week 2
April 2008, Week 1
March 2008, Week 5
March 2008, Week 4
March 2008, Week 3
March 2008, Week 2
March 2008, Week 1
February 2008, Week 5
February 2008, Week 4
February 2008, Week 3
February 2008, Week 2
February 2008, Week 1
January 2008, Week 5
January 2008, Week 4
January 2008, Week 3
January 2008, Week 2
January 2008, Week 1
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
July 2002
June 2002
May 2002
April 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
December 2001
November 2001
October 2001
September 2001
August 2001
July 2001
June 2001
May 2001
April 2001
March 2001
February 2001
January 2001
December 2000
November 2000
October 2000
September 2000
August 2000
July 2000
June 2000
May 2000
April 2000
March 2000
February 2000
January 2000
December 1999
November 1999
October 1999
September 1999
August 1999
July 1999
June 1999
May 1999
April 1999
March 1999
February 1999
January 1999
December 1998
November 1998
October 1998
September 1998
August 1998
July 1998
June 1998
May 1998
April 1998
March 1998
February 1998
January 1998
December 1997
November 1997
October 1997
September 1997
August 1997
July 1997
June 1997
May 1997
April 1997
March 1997
February 1997
January 1997
December 1996
November 1996
October 1996
September 1996
August 1996
July 1996
June 1996
May 1996
April 1996
March 1996
February 1996
January 1996
December 1995
November 1995
October 1995
September 1995
August 1995
July 1995
June 1995
May 1995
April 1995
March 1995
February 1995
January 1995
|
|
