[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
[July 28, 2001]
[Page 923]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 923]]


The President's Radio Address
July 28, 2001

    Good morning. This past week our country marked the 11th anniversary 
of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I'm proud that it was my father 
who signed that landmark legislation into law. And all Americans can 
take pride in the changes the ADA has brought into the lives of millions 
of citizens with disabilities.
    Because of that law, Americans with disabilities have gained greater 
access to public places. They have more options in choosing their homes, 
using public transportation, traveling, and staying in hotels. Many have 
joined the workforce, thanks to reasonable accommodations made by their 
employers. This has made our country a fairer society, more considerate 
and welcoming to all our citizens.
    As people with disabilities find more opportunities to use their 
gifts and talents, we also become a stronger, more productive nation. 
Some barriers remain, however, and as long as they stand, our work is 
unfinished. In February I announced a plan called the New Freedom 
Initiative to expand even further the opportunities available to people 
with disabilities.
    This initiative will help more Americans with disabilities enter the 
workforce by improving transportation or making it easier to work from 
home. It will encourage private companies to develop new assistive 
technologies, like computer monitors for people with visual impairments, 
infrared pointers for people who cannot use their hands to operate a 
keyboard, and lighter wheelchairs to increase mobility.
    And my New Freedom Initiative will help community groups, churches, 
synagogues, mosques, and civic organizations to improve access for 
people with disabilities. Many of these groups are trying their best to 
meet the requirements of ADA, and we will help them.
    We must also work to ensure that people with disabilities are not 
arbitrarily isolated or kept apart. I recently signed an Executive order 
requiring Federal agencies to work with State and local authorities to 
allow people with disabilities to move out of institutions and into 
community settings. I've also instructed the Attorney General and the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services to fully enforce title II of the 
Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring that no one is unjustifiably 
institutionalized.
    My administration is also committed to requiring all Federal 
agencies to make sure that their Internet sites are more accessible for 
people with disabilities, both inside and outside the Government.
    We have made significant progress in advancing the New Freedom 
Initiative. But some of these reforms will require the Congress to 
provide the resources we need to fully implement the New Freedom 
Initiative and fulfill the promise of ADA.
    All of these efforts will build on the progress we have made as a 
society since the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. During the 
last 11 years, we have opened the doors of opportunity to millions of 
people with disabilities, and together, we can ensure that everyone with 
a disability enjoys the respect that all citizens deserve.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 10:13 a.m. on July 27 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 28. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
July 27 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of 
the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this 
address.