TALKING POINTS
PRESIDENT'S COMMITIEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
SEPTEMBER 26, 1988

o I THANK THE PRESIDENT'S COMMITIEE FOR THIS HONOR, AND I ALSO THANK THE MANY FRIENDS I SEE HERE FOR COMING.

o INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAS BEEN ONE OF MY MAIN GOALS IN POLITICAL LIFE, SO IT MEANS A LOT TO ME TO KNOW MY EFFORTS IN THIS AREA HAVE YOUR SUPPORT.

o EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM -- TWO-THIRDS OF ALL WORKING-AGED PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE NOT EMPLOYED, ALTHOUGH A LARGE MAJORITY OF THEM WANT TO WORK.

o I BELIEVE WE CAN CHANGE THIS STATISTIC. REMOVING WORK DISINCENTIVES FROM SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMS WILL HELP. THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY BILL CONGRESS PASSED THIS SUMMER WILL ALSO HELP.

o TOMORROW'S HEARING ON THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND THE OBSERVANCE OF THE FIRST NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH THIS OCTOBER WILL HELP FOCUS ATIENTION ON THE ISSUE.

o I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS A TOP PRIORITY OF THE 101st CONGRESS.