Bush Unveils $1B Plan to Help Disabled

As expected, President Bush yesterday unveiled his $1 billion, five-year New Freedom Initiative, which would help individuals with disabilities to purchase homes and work at "challenging jobs," the Washington Post reports. The plan calls for a tenfold increase in federal funding for low-interest loans that help people with disabilities purchase technology to help them at work (Allen, Washington Post, 2/2). Such technologies include text telephones, infrared computer pointers for individuals unable to use their hands and lighter-weight artificial limbs and wheelchairs. Bush said he also intends to ask Congress to create a fund to help people purchase telecommuting equipment, to provide tax incentives to encourage businesses to offer such equipment and to provide federal funds for research on such "assistive technologies." In addition, the initiative would make federal funds available to churches, synagogues and mosques to meet requirements of the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act. Previously, such entities had been exempt from the requirements. Bush also signed an executive order creating a National Commission on Mental Illness Treatment Services, whose goal would be "improving the availability and delivery of services" (Chen, Los Angeles Times, 2/2).

Showing Respect
In a "show of respect" for those in wheelchairs who joined him at the White House ceremony, Bush sat behind a 37-inch-high podium as he introduced the initiative (McQuillan, USA Today, 2/2). Bush said, "I've often talked about the goal of a welcoming society, a nation where no one is dismissed or forgotten. Our progress toward that goal is really the great American story. It is a story of inclusion and protection, extending across our history to more and more Americans" (Washington Post, 2/2). He added, "We must speed up the day when the last barrier has been removed to full and independent lives for every American with or without disability" (USA Today, 2/2).

Plan 'Warmly Hailed'
Advocates for people with disabilities "warmly hailed" Bush's plan, the Los Angeles Times reports. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said, "This is great stuff. I'm very impressed." Alan Reich, president of the National Organization on Disability, added, "Having the president address our concerns in such a comprehensive way early in his administration augurs well for the one-fifth of the population who live with disabilities" (Los Angeles Times, 2/2). Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), the first quadriplegic elected to the House, said that he also was "pleasantly surprised" that Bush chose to address the issue so early. He added, "I still want to look at the details. But I'm encouraged" (Greene, Baltimore Sun, 2/2).

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