    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 26, 2003]
    [Pages 935-936]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    July 26, 2003

        Good morning. This weekend marks the 13th anniversary of the
    Americans With Disability Act, one of the great compassionate acts of
    American Government. Since becoming law, the ADA has helped to improve
    the quality of life for more than 50 million Americans with physical and
    mental disabilities. As a result, it is easier today for people with
    disabilities to find a job, to enter public buildings, and to live more
    independently in their communities. These are all welcome changes in
    American life.
        Many citizens have dedicated themselves to serving the interests of
    persons with disabilities, and some of them are here with me at the
    White House. I am joined by members of the President's Committee on
    Mental Retardation. The men and women on this committee include people
    with disabilities as well as parents, teachers, health care workers, and
    advocates. They recently voted to change the committee's name to the
    President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, and I
    was pleased to sign an Executive order instituting that change.
        There is much more we can do to assure that Americans with
    disabilities are treated with dignity and respect. In 2001, I announced
    the New Freedom Initiative to further promote the full participation of
    people with disabilities in all areas of society. As part of the New
    Freedom Initiative, we're giving States funding to help people with
    disabilities commute to work or purchase equipment that allows them to
    work

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    from home. We are promoting homeownership for people with disabilities
    and educating builders about the need for more accessible rental
    housing.
        We are working with Congress to provide record levels of funding for
    special education programs and to make sure the money is used to provide
    the most help to the most children. And we are making Government web
    sites more accessible to people with disabilities so that they can more
    easily find information about services and programs of the Federal
    Government. We're also focused on providing better care to people with
    mental illness. I'm committed to making sure people get the treatment
    and support they need and don't fall through the cracks.
        My administration continues to work with States to ensure full
    implementation of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. That decision
    rightly mandates that individuals with disabilities who can receive
    support and treatment in a community setting should be given an
    opportunity to live close to their families and friends whenever
    possible.
        People with disabilities now have more freedom to do productive work
    and live independent lives. We're making good progress toward ensuring
    that persons with disabilities know the American Dream is meant for
    them. With changes in old ways of thinking, the development of new
    technologies, and the Federal Government's firm commitment to equality,
    more and more people with disabilities continue to become full
    participants in the American life.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 2 p.m. on July 25 in the Cabinet Room
    at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 26. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    July 25 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.