    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [August 27, 2002]
    [Page 1496]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1496]]

    Memorandum on Development of an Interagency Disability Web Site
    August 27, 2002

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Directive to Develop Interagency Disability Web Site

        Twelve years ago, the Congress passed and President George H.W. Bush
    signed one of the most significant civil rights laws since the Civil
    Rights Act of 1964--the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In
    doing so, America opened its door to a new age for people with
    disabilities.
        Through the New Freedom Initiative, my plan to reduce barriers to
    people with disabilities, my Administration is committed to ensuring
    that all Americans have the opportunity to learn and to develop skills,
    to engage in productive work, to choose where to live, and to
    participate in community life. This effort will allow America to draw on
    the talents and creativity of all its citizens.
        In an effort to remove barriers for people with disabilities, I am
    instructing Federal agencies to work together to develop a comprehensive
    Federal web site that serves people with disabilities. This site will
    provide individuals with access to a single point to go online for
    Government information and resources related to disabilities and to the
    New Freedom Initiative.
        The development of this web site shall be coordinated by the
    Department of Labor. Information and services for the new web site shall
    be shared by all Federal agencies. Therefore, I direct executive
    departments and agencies (agencies) to work together in developing and
    launching this new citizen-centered and useful web site. I further
    direct agencies, within 60 days of the date of this memorandum and on an
    ongoing basis thereafter, to work together to provide information about
    their programs and access to their services to the Department of Labor.
    The information and services should be relevant to people with
    disabilities and should include the programs in the New Freedom
    Initiative. Agencies shall also work with State and local governments,
    as appropriate, in collecting information about the State and local
    government programs and access to services for people with disabilities
    to be included in the web site.

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on August 28.