[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 145 (Friday, July 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39171-39172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18854]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals With Disabilities

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Under Executive Order 13217, the Departments of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), Labor, Education, Justice, Housing and Urban 
Development and the Social Security Administration are undertaking an 
evaluation of each agency's policies, programs, statues and regulations 
to determine whether any should be revised or modified to improve the 
availability of community-based services for qualified individuals with 
disabilities. As the designated lead agency, HHS seeks public comments 
to inform each agency's evaluation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kari Benson, New Freedom Initiative 
Group, 202-205-0624.

DATES: All comments must be received on or before the close of business 
on August 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to the New Freedom 
Initiative Group, Department of Health and Human Services, P.O. Box 
23271, Washington, D.C. 20036-3271. If possible, please send an 
electronic version of the comments on a 3\1/2\ inch DOS format floppy 
disk in a format that is accessible to everyone, including persons with 
disabilities, such as HTML, ASCII text, or popular word processor 
format (Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect). Comments may also be sent 
electronically via email to: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 18, 2001, President Bush signed 
Executive Order No. 13217 on Community-based Alternatives for 
Individuals with Disabilities. The Order commits the United States to 
community-based alternatives for individuals with disabilities and 
recognizes that such services advance the best interests of the United 
States. The Order calls upon the federal government to assist states 
and localities to swiftly implement the decision of the United States 
Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C. and directs specific federal agencies 
to review their policies, programs, statutes and regulations to 
determine whether any should be revised or modified to improve the 
availability of community-based services for individuals with 
disabilities. The review must focus on identifying affected 
populations, improving the flow of information about supports in the 
community, and removing barriers that impede opportunities for 
community placement. The review must also ensure the involvement of 
consumers, advocacy organizations, providers, and relevant agency 
representatives. The results of the evaluation must be reported, 
through the Department of Health and Human Services, to the President 
by October 16, 2001.
    The specific agencies charged with undertaking this review are: the 
Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS), the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of 
Labor (DOL), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Social 
Security Administration (SSA).
    The agency self-evaluations focus upon identifying the appropriate 
role of the federal government to promote the ability of people with 
disabilities to live more independently in the community (close to 
families and friends), to engage

[[Page 39172]]

in productive employment, and participate in community life.
    To assist federal agencies in their review and self-evaluation, we 
invite the public to submit to us your specific written comments on 
issues such as barriers in federal law, policy and programs that limit 
the ability of people of any age who have a disability to achieve the 
above goals; actions that each of the designated agencies can take to 
address those barriers, improve the flow of information about community 
supports or aid in fulfillment of the ADA; and how federal programs can 
work together in support of enabling an individual with a disability to 
participate fully in the social end economic life of the community 
(e.g. health coverage, mental health services, social services, 
affordable and accessible housing, employment, caregiver support, and 
other services).
    All comments should be submitted to the Department of Health and 
Human Services at the address noted above. As the coordinating federal 
agency, the Department will ensure that comments relating to programs 
administered by any of the other designated federal agencies will be 
submitted to those agencies for review in conjunction with that 
agency's review and self-evaluation.

    Dated: July 25, 2001.
Tommy G. Thompson,
Secretary, Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 01-18854 Filed 7-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4153-01-M