history 

III.  History
 

1. New Freedom Initiative:
   
   On February 1, 2001, President George W. Bush announced the New Freedom Initiative. Founded upon the spirit of the American’s with Disabilities Act, the New Freedom Initiative represents a comprehensive set of proposals designed to ensure that Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, make choices about their daily lives, and participate fully in their communities. The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is uniquely charged with providing a national focus on enhancing the employment of people with disabilities. As such, ODEP has the key responsibility for implementing the employment-related aspects of the President’s New Freedom Initiative. To learn more about the New Freedom Initiative go to www.dol.gov/odep/newfreedom/main.htm
    

2. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
   
   The ADA was passed in 1990 and it protects the rights of people with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace and provides them with equal access in many other areas, including public services, accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. The Act requires employers who receive federal funding to provide “reasonable accommodations” to individuals with disabilities, enabling them to perform work for which they are qualified. For more information on ADA go to www.ada.gov
    

3. The History and Intent of the ADA:

   Lex Freidan served as the Chairperson of the National Council on Disability (NCD) from 2002 to 2006. He is the senior vice president at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, directs the Independent Living Research Utilization Program, and is a  professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine. Phone interview with Lex Frieden: The Intent of the ADA -  Audio  |   Text How businesses can comply with the ADA -  Audio  |  Text

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