TALKING POINTS
N.O.D.LUNCHEON
JUNE 25, 1992

I SUPPORT THE OUTSTANDING EFFORTS OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY AND TODAY'S UNVEILING OF THE PRE-STAMPED ENVELOPE. FOR SO MANY YEARS, ALAN REICH, GINNY THORNBURG, MARK LEWIS AND OTHERS HAVE DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO ENSURING MY PEERS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE LIVES OF DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE.

AS A NATION WE TOOK A GREAT STEP TOWARDS THAT GOAL WHEN WE PASSED THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY AND YOUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS EXHIBITED STEADFAST SUPPORT OF THE ADA THROUGHOUT CONSIDERATION WHICH WAS CRUCIAL TO THE SHAPING AND CRAFTING OF ITS SWEEPING AND HISTORIC PROVISIONS. AS WORK ON IMPLEMENTATION OF ADA BEGINS, YOU WILL BE VERY BUSY NOT ONLY IN IMPLEMENTATION BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IN THE EDUCATION OF YOUR CLIENTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE ADA, WE TOOK MANY IMPORTANT, BUT TENTATIVE AND PIECEMEAL STEPS FORWARD IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO AMERICAN LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. DISABILITY POLICY IS SO BROAD, COVERING EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS, HEALTHCARE AND PREVENTION, TAX AND BUSINESS ISSUES, TO NAME A FEW.

TODAY THE ADA, PROVIDES OUR NATION WITH A BROAD POLICY FRAMEWORK, FOCUSING ON OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS FOR ALL.