[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book II)]
[July 26, 2000]
[Pages 1467-1468]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum on Renewing the Commitment To Ensure That Federal Programs 
Are Free From Disability-Based Discrimination
July 26, 2000

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject: Renewing the Commitment to Ensure that Federal Programs are 
Free from Disability-Based Discrimination

    On the 10th 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

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should be tailored to the changing nature of government.
    I call upon the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Equal Employment 
Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Interagency Disability Coordinating 
Council (IDCC), and the National Task Force on Employment of Adults with 
Disabilities (Task Force) 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 DOJ and the EEOC, in close 
consultation with the IDCC and the Task Force, 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 (29 U.S.C. 791, 794, 794d). 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 (29 U.S.C. 
            791, 794).
    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 General Services 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 EEOC.
    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.

                                                      William J. Clinton