[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
[February 12, 2003]
[Pages 162-164]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Memorandum on the Interagency Working Group on Assistive Technology
Mobility Devices
February 12, 2003
Memorandum for the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, the Secretary of Labor, the Commissioner of Social
Security
Subject: Interagency Working Group on Assistive Technology Mobility
Devices
When President George H.W. Bush signed the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, America opened its door to a
new age for people with disabilities. Although much progress has been
made since then, significant challenges remain for individuals with
disabilities who seek full participation in American society.
My Administration is committed to increasing education and
employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. My New
Freedom Initiative strives to provide people with disabilities increased
opportunities to lead more independent lives by expanding education and
job opportunities, and by ensuring that the latest technologies, which
often make education and employment possible, are readily available.
Often, individuals with disabilities require assistive technology
mobility devices--such as powered wheelchairs and scooters--in order to
access education, training, and competitive employment. While there are
several Federal programs, as well as State and local efforts, that help
individuals with disabilities obtain these and other assistive
technologies, they are not adequately coordinated. Other Federal
programs provide funding of assistive technology mobility devices for
medical purposes, but the intent of these programs has always been, and
should remain, medical rather than educational or vocational.
Consistent with my interest in improving the coordination of the
Federal programs that help provide individuals with assistive technology
mobility devices, I hereby direct the following:
Section 1. Establishment of the Interagency Working Group on
Assistive Technology Mobility Devices. (a) There is hereby established,
within the Department of Education for administrative purposes, the
``Interagency Working Group on Assistive Technology Mobility Devices''
(Working Group). The Working Group shall consist exclusively of:
(i) the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, the Secretary of Labor, and the Commissioner
of Social Security; and
(ii) such other Federal officials as the Assistant to the
President for Domestic Policy from time to time, on my
behalf, may designate.
(b) The Secretary of Education shall serve as Chairman of the
Working Group. The Chairman shall convene and preside at any meetings of
the Working Group, determine its agenda, direct its work, and, as
appropriate to particular subject matters,
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establish and direct subgroups of the Working Group, which shall consist
exclusively of Working Group members.
(c) A member of the Working Group may designate, to perform the
Working Group or Working Group subgroup functions of the member, any
person who is part of the member's agency and who is an officer
appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, or
a member of the Senior Executive Service.
Sec. 2. Functions of the Working Group. The Working Group shall: (a)
identify existing Federal Government programs and resources that are
designed to help individuals with disabilities obtain the assistive
technology mobility devices that they need for education and employment;
and (b) work with State, local, and tribal governments, as appropriate,
to identify State, local, and tribal programs that are designed to help
individuals with disabilities obtain assistive technology mobility
devices for education and employment. The Secretary of Education shall
take the lead in coordinating these efforts.
Sec. 3. Report. In performing its functions the Working Group shall
present to me, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic
Policy, a report not later than 180 days from the date of this
memorandum. The report shall include the specific steps that each of the
agencies represented on the Working Group will take to: (a) improve
coordination among their existing programs; (b) train vocational
rehabilitation counselors, other service providers, and individuals with
disabilities, as provided by law; and (c) inform individuals with
disabilities about these opportunities. The report shall also include a
description of how individuals with disabilities can pool funding from
existing resources to obtain the assistive technology mobility devices
that they need to pursue their educational and employment goals.
Sec. 4. Termination. The Working Group shall terminate 30 days after
the date of the submission of the report as described in section 3 of
this memorandum.
Sec. 5. General. (a) Agencies shall assist the Working Group and
provide information to the Working Group consistent with applicable law
as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Working Group. To
the extent permitted by law, the Department of Education shall provide
funding and administrative support for the Working Group.
(b) As used in this memorandum, the term ``agency'' means an
executive department or agency of the Federal Government.
(c) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or
otherwise affect the functions of the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, or legislative
proposals.
(d) This memorandum is intended only to improve the internal
management of the Federal Government and is not intended to, and does
not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable
at law or equity by a party against the United States, its departments,
agencies, instrumentalities or entities, its officers or employees, or
any other person.
George W. Bush
Note: The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
version of this memorandum.
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