[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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