(Handicapped)
REMARKS OF HONORABLE BOB DOLE BEFORE THE SENATE
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1970

MR. DOLE: MR. PRESIDENT, APRIL 14 MARKS TWO ANNIVERSARIES IN MY LIFE. ONE YEAR AGO I MADE MY MAIDEN SPEECH TO THIS BODY. OF COURSE, THAT WAS A MEMORABLE OCCASION FOR A FRESHMAN SENATOR; HOWEVER, THE DATE FOR THOSE REMARKS WAS ITSELF CHOSEN TO MARK ANOTHER EVENT. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO ON AN APRIL 14 IN WORLD WAR II, I BECAME A MEMBER OF AN OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD, FREQUENTLY UNDERESTIMATED, AND WHOLLY INVOLUNTARY MINORITY GROUP: THE HANDICAPPED.

TASK FORCES
MEMBERSHIP IN THIS MINORITY HAS MEANT MANY THINGS TO ME. HOWEVER, ONE POINT OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE TO ME HAS BEEN AN APPRECIATION OF THE IMMENSE POTENTIAL FOR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR SOCIETY WHICH THE HANDICAPPED POSSESS. ALONG WITH THIS GREAT POTENTIAL THERE IS ALSO A GREAT NEED, A NEED FOR UNDERSTANDING --- OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH THE HANDICAPPED FACE --- OF THE ASSISTANCE THEY REQUIRE TO FULFILL THEIR POTENTIAL --- AND OF PRIORITIES FOR THE LIMITED RESOURCES...

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... AVAILABLE TO ATTAIN THIS GOAL. AS A STEP TOWARD ACHIEVING THIS UNDERSTANDING, IN MY REMARKS LAST YEAR I PROPOSED THE CREATION OF A PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON THE HANDICAPPED. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT SUCH A BODY REVIEW EFFORTS IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS ON A BROAD BASIS AND FURNISH SUGGESTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE MOST CRITICAL AREAS OF CONCERN TO THE HANDICAPPED.

I WAS HIGHLY GRATIFIED WHEN THE PRESIDENT APPOINTED TWO TASK FORCES TO STUDY THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. THE TASK FORCE ON THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, COMPOSED OF 13 HIGHLY DEDICATED AND WIDELY EXPERIENCED INDIVIDUALS FROM STATE GOVERNMENTS, INDUSTRY AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS, WAS APPOINTED IN OCTOBER AND MET DURING THE FALL AND EARLY WINTER. THE TASK FORCE ON THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WAS APPOINTED IN DECEMBER, AND ITS DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS COMPLETED THEIR MEETINGS ONLY LAST WEEK.

THE REPORTS OF THESE TASK FORCES SHOULD BE UNIQUELY VALUABLE TO BOTH THE ADMINISTRATION AND TO CONGRESS IN THE FORMULATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF FUTURE PROGRAMS TO AID THE HANDICAPPED. THE FOCUS OF THE...

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... TASK FORCES' EFFORTS WITHIN THE AREAS OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISABILITIES WILL AFFORD A PERSPECTIVE WHICH TO DATE HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE TO CONCERNED AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.

THE NEXT STEP
I WOULD HOPE, HOWEVER THAT STUDY OF THE HANDICAPPED WILL BE CARRIED ONE STEP FURTHER. TO OBTAIN THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE VIEWPOINT OF THE ENTIRE AREA, IT SEEMS APPROPRIATE THAT AN EFFORT BE MADE TO SYNTHESIZE AND COMBINE THE WORK OF THE TWO TASK FORCES AND THE PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON MENTAL RETARDATION. EACH OF THESE THREE GROUPS HAS CONCENTRATED ITS EFFORTS ON MAJOR, BROAD SEGMENTS OF A GENERAL FIELD. WE NOW NEED TO DRAW TOGETHER ALL THE ELEMENTS AND COMPONENTS OF THE PROBLEM OF THE DISABLED AND HANDICAPPED.

OUR CURRENT STATUS REMINDS ME OF THE FABLE OF THE THREE BLIND MEN WHO DISCOVERED AN ELEPHANT. ONE ENCOUNTERED THE TRUNK; ANOTHER, THE TAIL; AND THE OTHER, AN EAR. ALTHOUGH THESE THREE GROUPS ARE NOT BY ANY MEASURE BLIND, WE NOW STAND AS DID EACH BLIND MAN, WITH AN ACCURATE, BUT INCOMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENTIRE ANIMAL. WE MUST NOW COMBINE THE...

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... THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING WHICH EACH TASK FORCE AND THE COMMITTEE HAS ACCUMULATED. WE NEED TO PUT THE EAR AND THE TAIL AND THE TRUNK TOGETHER AND CONSTRUCT THE WHOLE ELEPHANT.

THE URGENCY OF THIS NEED WOULD NOT BE SO GREAT IF HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS NEATLY FELL INTO ONE CATEGORY OR ANOTHER AND IF THE RAMIFICATIONS OF DEVELOPMENTS IN ONE FIELD DID NOT EXTEND TO OTHER AREAS. BUT INDIVIDUALS FREQUENTLY SUFFER COMBINATION OR MULTIPLE HANDICAPS. THEY ARE ALSO AFFECTED EMOTIONALLY BY PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND HAVE PHYSICAL REACTIONS TO EMOTIONAL HANDICAPS. WE CANNOT ACHIEVE OPTIMUM RESULTS IN ONE AREA IF WE DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE FIELD.

I SINCERELY HOPE THE PRESIDENT WILL TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN FULFILLING THE COMMITMENT DEMONSTRATED BY THE CREATION OF THE TASK FORCES AND THE COMMITTEE. A GENERAL COMMITTEE OR TASK FORCE ON THE HANDICAPPED WOULD CEMENT THE NEW FOUNDATION THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS LAID FOR PROGRESS AND GREATER UNDERSTANDING IN THIS FIELD.

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DIFFICULT AND UNIQUE PROBLEMS
IN MY REMARKS LAST YEAR, I CALLED ATTENTION TO SEVERAL ASPECTS OF LIFE IN WHICH THE HANDICAPPED ENCOUNTER PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT AND FREQUENTLY UNIQUE PROBLEMS.

OF COURSE, EMPLOYMENT IS ALMOST UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED AS AN AREA IN WHICH THE HANDICAPPED ARE UNDER-UTILIZED AND OFTEN UNJUSTIFIABLY RESTRICTED. NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS HAVE SOUGHT TO STIMULATE EMPLOYMENT OF HANDICAPPED WORKERS AND TO OPEN GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM IN THE MAINSTREAM OF LIFE.

THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS WHICH A HANDICAP OFTEN GENERATES ARE TO A CERTAIN DEGREE UNDERSTOOD BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC, BUT THE IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF THE AFFLICTED AND THEIR FAMILIES IS FREQUENTLY UNAPPRECIATED. SOME RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE BOTH THROUGH GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE CHANNELS, BUT OFTEN THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN OR OF ONLY TOKEN SIGNIFICANCE.

THE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS OF NEEDED HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL LOOMS LARGE IN THE LIVES OF THE HANDICAPPED. THIS IS A MATTER WHICH USUALLY RECEIVES SCANT ATTENTION FROM THE GREAT MASS OF PEOPLE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO COMPARABLE NEEDS IN THEIR LIVES.

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IN A SIMILAR SENSE, REHABILITATION SERVICES CAN BE TREMENDOUSLY SIGNIFICANT TO THE HANDICAPPED AND DISABLED, BUT THE PUBLIC IS LARGELY UNAWARE OF THE CRITICAL NATURE OF THIS NEED.

ALSO, IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION THE HANDICAPPED POSE SPECIAL DIFFICULTIES IN REQUIREMENTS OF METHODOLOGY, FACILITIES AND CURRICULA. SLIGHT ATTENTION AND PUBLICITY HAVE BEEN GIVEN THESE MATTERS OUTSIDE FAIRLY NARROW CORRIDORS OF CONCERN AND INVOLVEMENT.

A COMMON PROBLEM - INFORMATION
COMMON TO EACH OF THESE AREAS OF DIFFICULTY IS THE PROBLEM OF INFORMATION. IT APPEARS THAT THE GREATER THE AVAILABILITY AND COORDINATION OF KNOWLEDGE, THE MORE PROGRESS THE HANDICAPPED HAVE MADE TOWARD ACHIEVING MEANINGFUL SOLUTIONS AND PROGRESS.

AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE GENERAL PROBLEM WHICH AFFECTS THE ENTIRE AREA, TAKE THE MATTER OF ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS TO THE HANDICAPPED.

ILLUSTRATION--ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS
DURING THE PAST DECADE, THE PRESSURES TO CREATE A MORE LIVEABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR DISABLED PEOPLE HAVE MOUNTED. NOT ONLY THE HANDICAPPED, BUT ALL AMERICANS ARE DEMANDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT --- A RESPITE...

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... FROM FOUL AIR, SPOILED RIVERS, DYING LAKES AND SQUALID SLUMS.

A VITAL PART OF THE IMPROVEMENT THAT IS REQUIRED MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ELDERLY IN OUR POPULATION.

TWO FACTS UNDERSCORE THE NEED:
* THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS SAYS THAT MORE BUILDINGS WILL BE BUILT IN THE U.S. BETWEEN NOW AND THE YEAR 2000 THAN WERE BUILT HERE IN THE NEARLY FIVE CENTURIES SINCE COLUMBUS DISCOVERED AMERICA.
* DUE TO MEDICAL AND REHABILITATION ADVANCES, THE NUMBER OF CRIPPLED CHILDREN, DISABLED ADULTS AND OLD PEOPLE IN THE ACTIVE POPULATION IS STEADILY INCREASING AND FEWER OF THEM ARE HOUSEBOUND.

INEVITABLY, THERE WILL BE MORE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, AND THEY WILL NEED MORE BUILDINGS AND PARKS AND TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES TO USE IN COMMON WITH EVERYONE ELSE. THEREFORE, IT IS NOW TIME TO PLAN FOR, TO DESIGN, AND TO CONTROL THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS, RECREATIONAL AREAS, AND EQUIPMENT THAT WILL BE USED IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

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WITH SO MANY CUSTOMERS FOR BARRIER-FREE ENVIRONMENT, ONE MIGHT THINK THAT ALL ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, PLANNERS AND FINANCIERS OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY MAKE IT EASY FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED TO UTILIZE THEM. BUT SUCH IS NOT THE CASE. A CONTINUING EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO EDUCATE NEW ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS TO DESIGN WITH THE NEEDS OF ALL AMERICANS IN MIND --- THE DISABLED AS WELL AS THE ABLE BODIED. WE CAN, AND WE ARE, ORIENTING THE ARCHITECTS IN GENERAL PRACTICE TO THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED AND SOME OF THE DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS OF MAKING BUILDINGS MORE EASILY ENTERED BY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE. SIMPLE THINGS WHICH ARE BUILT INTO THE DESIGN OF A STRUCTURE CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS. EXAMPLES ARE: ONE GROUND-LEVEL ENTRANCE TO EACH BUILDING; ELEVATORS IN ADDITION TO STAIRS; AMPLE DOOR WIDTHS TO PERMIT ENTRY OF WHEELCHAIRS AND PEOPLE ON CRUTCHES; TOILETS THAT CAN BE USED WITH PRIVACY; SOME OF THE WATER FOUNTAINS AND PHONES LOWERED, SO THEY CAN BE REACHED BY CHILDREN AND PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS.

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MUCH HAS BEEN DONE THROUGH THE GREAT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES OF THE COUNTRY TO SENSITIZE THE PUBLIC TO THE ARCHITECTURAL NEEDS OF THE HANDICAPPED. IN COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES, THEY HAVE MADE GREAT INROADS INTO THIS PROBLEM. MOST STATE LEGISLATURES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE PASSED LAWS OR MODIFIED CODES TO TAKE THE ARCHITECTURAL NEEDS OF THE HANDICAPPED INTO ACCOUNT. THE EXAMPLES OF GOOD WORK AND MEASURABLE ACHIEVEMENT ARE MANY. BUT, THE JOB IS LARGER THAN CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE PRESENT UNCOORDINATED AND FRAGMENTED ATTACK ON THE PROBLEM.

NO CENTRAL SOURCE
THIS LACK OF COORDINATION AND CENTRALLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION IS NOT RESTRICTED TO THE SUBJECT OF ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS.

NO ONE SOURCE EXISTS WHERE THE HANDICAPPED CAN TURN FOR INFORMATION ON COLLEGES WITH SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES FOR THEM. THE MATERIALS THAT ARE AVAILABLE ARE OFTEN INCOMPLETE AND OUT-OF-DATE WHEN PUBLISHED.

DATA ON REHABILITATION FACILITIES AND SERVICES, EVEN ON A REGIONAL BASIS, IS WOEFULLY INCOMPLETE, AND THAT WHICH IS COMPILED OFTEN CAN BE FOUND ONLY THROUGH PROFESSIONAL CHANNELS.

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MUCH THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND ECONOMIC AID PROGRAMS.

THERE IS A GREAT VOID IN THE EFFORTS NOW UNDER WAY. THERE IS NO CENTRAL PLACE, IN OR OUT OF GOVERNMENT, WHERE THE HANDICAPPED OR THEIR FAMILIES OR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK ON THESE AND OTHER PROBLEMS CAN GET THE INFORMATION THEY NEED: --THE EXAMPLES OF WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INSTITUTIONS HAVE DONE; --COPIES OF LAWS, STANDARDS AND PLANS;--AND AVAILABLE FUNDS AND OPPORTUNITIES. MANY PEOPLE NOW TRY TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH WHAT IS GOING ON BY WRITING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE FOR INFORMATION IN CONNECTION WITH SCHOOLS, OR REHABILITATION CENTERS OR AID PROGRAMS. THEY CONTACT THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION CONCERNING DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR POST OFFICES AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. THEY CALL ON THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT WHEN THEY NEED ASSISTANCE IN BUILDING HOUSING FOR THE HANDICAPPED, OR IDEAS ON HOW TO CHANGE LOCAL AND STATE BUILDING CODES TO GET A BETTER SYSTEM OF PRIVATE FACILITIES DEVELOPED. THEY ALSO SPEND CONSIDERABLE EFFORT IN TRACKING DOWN OFTEN GROUNDLESS REPORTS OF NEW FUNDS, PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES FOR THEMSELVES AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES.

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IN OTHER WORDS, THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT RESOURCES, RESEARCH
FINDINGS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTS, AND INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL UNITS, COMMUNITIES, BUSINESSES AND COLLEGES HAVE
DONE TO ACCOMMODATE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE IS DIFUSED AND COMPLETELY
LACKING IN CENTRALIZATION OR COORDINATION.

A NATIONAL RESOURCE AND INFORMATION CENTER
IT IS TIME THAT THE CONGRESS PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTER THAT WOULD BE A POINT OF CONTACT FOR INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS, PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS, PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, AND CITY AND STATE OFFICIALS, WHO SEEK INFORMATION OR DIRECTION. IN SUCH A CENTER, THE INFORMATION WOULD BE STORED FOR ALL TO USE. A SMALL STAFF WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO DIRECT INQUIRIES TO SPECIALIZED CONTACTS EITHER UNIVERSITIES, INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS WHICH HAVE SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE OR HAVE SUCCESSFULLY WORKED ON ASPECTS OF THESE PROBLEMS. HERE IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR INTEREST GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS TO POOL THEIR KNOWLEDGE WITH OTHERS. IN THE INTERCHANGE OF THEIR EXPERIENCES, WE WOULD SEE DEVELOP NEW WAYS TO UTILIZE OUR EXPANDING TECHNOLOGY IN PROVIDING BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS, EXPANDED PERSONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND MORE COMPLETE REALIZATION FOR THE HANDICAPPED.

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THIS INFORMATION CENTER HILL NOT BE AN END IN ITSELF. IT IS, HOWEVER, AN ANSWER TO A SPECIFIC AND WELL-DEFINED NEED, AND IT WILL MEET THIS NEED AT MODEST COST.

ANNUAL EVENT
MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS THE SECOND FLOOR SPEECH I HAVE GIVEN ON THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS OF THE HANDICAPPED. I PLAN TO MAKE IT AN ANNUAL EVENT WITH THE HOPE THAT EACH YEAR I CAN OFFER SOME SPECIFIC, POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTION. I KNOW THAT MANY OF MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES ARE WELL-KNOWN FOR THEIR LONGSTANDING CONCERN FOR THE HANDICAPPED, AND I SOLICIT THEIR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR POSSIBLE INITIATIVES. THIS FIELD TRULY KNOWS NO PARTISANSHIP OR IDEOLOGY, AND WORKING TOGETHER WE IN THE SENATE, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS, CAN DO MUCH TO SECURE MEANINGFUL AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES FOR THE HANDICAPPED.

50TH YEAR FOR REHABILITATION
THIS IS THE 50TH YEAR FOR THE STATE-FEDERAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM. IN THIS HALF-CENTURY THE PROGRAM HAS GROWN FROM ONE SERVING...

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... 523 PEOPLE ON A BUDGET OF $285,000 TO ONE SERVING MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION DISABLED AND HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS ON A BUDGET OF MORE THAN $500 MILLION. THE SERVICES PROVIDED HAVE BROADENED FROM STRICTLY PHYSICAL REHABILITATION TO ENCOMPASS PROGRAMS FOR THOSE WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS.

A MOST FITTING MARK FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S SECOND HALF-CENTURY OF ACTIVE CONCERN FOR AND SERVICE TO THE HANDICAPPED WOULD BE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS CENTER.

MR. PRESIDENT, I SHALL SOON INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL RESOURCE AND INFORMATION CENTER FOR THE HANDICAPPED. I URGE ANO SOLICIT THE COSPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES.

THE 42 MILLION AMERICANS WHO BELONG TO THE HANDICAPPED MINORITY WILL BE THE IMMEDIATE BENEFICIARIES OF THE CENTER'S SERVICES. AMERICA AND THE 160 MILLION MAJORITY WILL BE THE ULTIMATE BENEFICIARIES, THROUGH THE INCREASED CONTRIBUTION, WELL-BEING AND PERSONAL FULFILLMENT OF THE HANDICAPPED.