REPORT O '* Reproducibilittare.Often Encountered and This Afoctg

DOCUMENT EESUNE t

. ED 143 182. EC 101 864.

TITLE , Programs for the Handicapped. ' -, INSTITUTION Office of Human Development (DHEWWWashingtona, D.C../

Office fox HandicapFed Individuals. , REPORT O DHEW-OHD-77-22000' . 4 PUB DATE 20 Jul 77 ' . , . NOTE 25p. k, .. 4 . .. 0. ; , -.. ' EDRS PRICE MM -$O.83 HC- $1.6.7 Plus Postage. DESCRI.PTORS- *ConferenceReports;j!Handicapped; *Handi.Capped Childrenl'Housing Needs; *Public Policy;

Transportation . > IDENTIFIERS_ *White House Conference 'on Handicapped InWiduals

..2 ABSTRACT The booklet presents an account of the-White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals and includes statements and remarks by president Carter and cabinet officials. Topics covered include the implications of 504 of the .Rehabilitation Act of 1973, housinglpolicies and transportation. Highlights': from conference workshops on such tdpics as barriers, economic issues, rbcreation, and special concerns are .repotted. (CL) 1

if . 1 . 21.*********ic****4*****************************1********************* * 'DOcusents4Cquired by 'ERIC include many-informal Unpublished. ,* : * mattrials not available from other-soli-met; ERIC` sakei e-Very'effort'*''. *:to obtain the best copy-avaiNable. Nevertheless, /tens of marginal *, '* reproducibilittare.often encountered and this afOctg the guality,,*_!,, * of the vicreficfie-ntrdCOpy'rerroductions ERIC. makes available * * via the ERIC Document Reproduction ServiCe;(EDRS)- EDRS is not '* responsible for the quality of the original dccument, Reproductions * .* supplied by EDRS. are the best that can be madelici the original. * *i********************0*******************44***************i**********

,41r, *1 r RECEIWD

Office for AUG .1977 i7ams. ti HANDICAPPECEC RIC rthe INDIVIDUALS

U S M I A T I C * N E A T EDUCATION & WELFAR NATIONAL iNSIITUTE OF . r EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS aEEN REPRO DUCED EXACTLY A$ RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN. ATING IT POINTS OF VIEW OR ORIN1ONS STATED DO NOT p.tietssRILy REPRE, SENT OF FiCiAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION Oft POLICY

TABLE OF CONTENTS , 40 ,-- ...,- _ - It Happened in Washington, D.c, 2 Remarks'of Cie President to the White HOLise Conference on,Handicappeel Individuals -. . , .37 Rehiarks _of HEW Secretary Joseph_ A. Cal ifao, Jr r' . `. Remarks by HUD Secretary Patricia Roberts Harris...... , 11 Statement of .U.S, Secretary of TransportMion Brod( Adams . 13' Statement by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr 15 , . 'Hi ghl ights from the Workshops- . - . 16 Remarks by Jack Smith'''..:, '. 20 Harris Announces' Irriti4.tives for the Handicapped , 21 "ACCESS AMERICA" National Public Awareness Campaign hr.22 Acces*t to Pablic.Buildngs and Transportation for Handicapped` 22 New Rad ica dons: - . /. Access Ameri a:The Architectural Barriers Act and 'you + 2'3. Summary of se ectedLegislationRelating to the -.

Handicappe. -1975-76 . % 23

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4. C) DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE . )' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Human Development ' 1$ Officaor HANDICARPED INDIVIDUALS Washington, D.C. 20201 2 t.I !THAPPENEDIN WASHINGTON, D.C.

History was made byit4e White Houe Conferenceon Handicapped Individuals -in Was-hington, D.C. The recent genertng Of 3,200 participants was planned, coordinated and succesSfull aged by and for handicapped people. Delegates from every State iYelessly to make the conference an event to remember.

3 , . , , . . The real stars oLi4e-canferdnce were the handicapped peopleAmselves, who pattitipated in workshops and panelt, staffed booths, and hammeredout recom-

, mendations on key issues. .

Tlie delegateswere welcomed.to.Washington by President Carter, Members of the /Cabinet, and Congressional, leaders.

.... - s News conferences were covered by A:P.,-U.P.I., metropolitan dailies, and television cameras from NBC, CBS, ABC and'PBS. Radio correspondents provided added special event coverage and interviews with conference participants. r Delegates met with" their legislators and established a dialogue with government professionals. Pros and cons on major issues concerning the handicapped were 'reviewed and redommendations prepared for study by the Council Task Force.

. , ,Nevet befdre in theih3sfory.of the Nation's Capital had there beena conference of haildicapPed people.from every State--assembled toachieve the right of every citizen to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happinesst ,

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Delegates from every corner of the United Stout convening in Wathihgton't SheratonPark Hotel

sh REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT,TO THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUA May 23, 1977

Do you think we are making some progress now?Do you think we have a-long,way to go? Do you think we are going to get there? Right on.

I am very proud to be here tonight in what I thinkis,an,historjc occasion that will perhaps go.down in the history of our country as a turning point in the minds and hearts of the American'people in their long overdue concern about a large group of Americans, about 36 million, who in the past have too often been ignored.

This is tile first White House Conferenceon Handicapped Ildividuals1- Iknow that this is a tremendous assembly of leaders who have fought a long and some- times discouraging battle to arrive here in Wathington tonight, But this is not the first meeting. ) There have been dozens of meetings' attended by thou.- sands of people in the 50 States of our Country, and you have already brought to the consciousness of Total and State officials an wareness of potential change for the better and many improvements that havefalready been made.

Labor and industry can work together with.government to-make sUre that jointly our efforts are successful. There is hardly a national leader on earth in'all the 150 nations that span. the globe who-are not now thinking about two words: "Human Rights." And now we in our own country are applying those two Wards to ,_J the handicapped people of our country.

It is long overdue. For too long handicapped people have been deprived of a right-to an education;rfor too long handicapped people have been excluded from-- the possibility of jobs and employment where they could f.upport themselves; for too long handicapped people have been kept,out of buildings, have been kept off of streets and slifewalks, have been excluded from private and public transportation and have been deprived of a simple right in many instances\ just to communicate with one another.

When I was inaugurated Governor of Georgia in January of 1171,I made\a speech, and I said in that Southern State the timejor acial discrimination i\s over, and 1 say to you tonight thei time for discOimination against thehandfCapped in the United ;States is over.'

It would be a mistake for the rest of America to thinkthat the benefits,are only going to the handicapped because when you get freedom, weshare that freedom, and when the handicapped get benefits of eduCation and a'joband a purposeful life. we all share in the benefits,of that education, that joband a purposeful life.

The Bill of Rights for Handicapped rndividAlt-wassPiTledout in Title V of the Rehabilitatidn Act of 1973, and we are go-ing to enforce the regulattons., that are specified in that, bill. We-are going to'enforce the regulationsthat ( tear down.the barriers of architecture and we are goingto ehforcetheregula- tions that tear down the barriers of transportation.

4 I know you have heard the announcementmade by Secret'ryof ransportatiOn BrocklAdams about the Trans-Bus, We have spent mill' nS of llars--the Federal Government has. spent millions of dollars--vesting in the kind of public transportationthat wouldserve your needs. And I am going to really enjoy in theiluture-pas soon as these buses can come off theassembly line,, and all of the newones are going to be these kinds of buses--when they can - come up to you on the sidewalk and kheeldown to let you get in N As you know, Section-504, of which I am sure you have allheard and-of whic4N- I am sure now that J6e Califano has also heard, has provideda framework for ----- the regulations that have now been adopted, and Joe Califanoassures me and he assures yop that these regulationsare going-to be.epfosced.

They require that when programs are made available to the publicthat those programs are made available to the handicapped public; theemployers millgive a handicapped perso,a fair chance tocorrect the hanifica nd to become qualifiefi frer-In available job.

They-require the tearing down"-of the barriers that I havalreadydescribed to , you. When Federal funds come to the Health, Education, and WelfareDepartment, and.4ater on without delay they willapply to all programs ofa similar natures they 014,provide that a handicapped child, for the fifst timrirf the200 year existence wrour country, has the rightto go to free publicchools, and that 'that *child has a right to go to-free public schoolpsin a regular classroomwith other students. ,*

It is almost inconceivable, and its a reflection on all ofus inleadership. positiOns, that these'basic rights have been delayed so long. These are times for thanksgiving, but for a sustained demand and a time-toassess other opportunities in the future.

The civil. rights of handicapped persons are not theonlhelementsof the laws that have been,put into effect. We hive wire than.100 differeRt programs in . the Federal Government already forthe handicapped. They are administered by many different agencies. There are a lot of different kinds ofdefinitions. for the handicap of the same person, that that means that many ofyou who have sought for a long time to take advantage of these programs which theCongress and hy,predecessors in theWhite House h ,passed have often Oad togo to four or five or six different agencies o g \the simple treatment or opportunities which you deserve under the law. I \

. . iv , .It is time for us to change that, . and one of the very good benefits ofthe reorganization authority that Congress hasnow given me is to bring all of those programs for'the handicappedtogether into one agency- soyou can under,, stand them,and takeadvantage of them. 4;9

AsI look, ut across tics tremendousauditorium, with many different kinds of handicapstrepresented hereI know thatmany of them .could have\been-prevented in your early life. And we are not just concerned aboutthe correction of an ekisting handicap pr an opportunity for those whoare handicapped. we want to preielit the handicaps that might IC occur in the future. .

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We have alreadyproposedto the Congress-a-program reithe reeni ,the 'k ,health screening, of poor children,.a,nd within'justa Airs we will multi., r"ply thee times the number of pobr, youlicf (have a clignceto seea do'ctpr early in their life sotheirpotential* n*.cap or affliction might be evented or corrected. 1 f. / e. . .. . e now have 3,5 percent of the young children inthivoUhry who are noteven immunized or inoculated,against preventable,diseaes.. When I was a.child many years ago almost 100,percent of all 'America'nhildren :Were imunized. We have started a new 'program now unifier Joe Califano' ,leadership and have asked, the- .. CongreIs for authority to increase greatly this innuni,zatibn program so' that within just a short time we intend)o approach the 100 percent level' again. . p 4 There is a hope that there willntverbe any lack of memory for the struggle thert has been effective in making this night.ricl this,cotiferencessible. We 1 want to be sure that we "don't forgethe .handicapped among_us yi cannot hold job, who cannot respond to a full hducation, but we want tomikesure that even when they are dependent for co stant..,help that they haveevery chance to grow and'to learn and to take advantage of whatever great-or smdlr talent or ability God might have given them.We cannot forget them. I .. ' IIC %..if' . 1 ... In closing,I Want tb ask your-to do one e thing,' and that is that since you have bound yourselves together in ,a, commonurpose, untibrstanding,,one anbther and. ostekoming thee differencethat .exts.among-yoti, that now yciu try to wig:lei.- $tkand the. special needs, of the nonpandipped, to understand-the 'needs of other \ hOdicapped people. . , ,. I . _. -It is nottatimgifor hatredor lashing out or recrimination or condemnation of the-conhandicapped for the long delays in meeting your needs, because many people who are not handicapped cannot understand those special nets.So it , is a time of education both ways, arid for areitaation,that,ovly lotien wework together- -the harldicappO\ who are leaders,he haridicapped who wiyi always be - ependent), the potentielU handicapped child who wants to We that prevented

*and -the rfont%ndic.POped. adult leader-7whdn we work together we can continue to.? mice even greater progresi.-. , , I know that in my own' 1 ife r have been ins'frired by thecourage that exists among many of you. Ngne of my mostproud moments was when rte. administeredthe oath of offiCe to !fax Clgand, a yaun9 map who now heads up a tremendous Federal agency, the Veterans' Administration;When,he was .,a tiny chit he used to'aThways ask God somed to let 'him-work for his country and serve o her; people.He went t6 Vi etiiam gas a volunteer after he was qualified, hay ng finished collegefor his own professional career.He stepped out of a hell- - coptert one day and saw a hand grenade on the ground, and trying to protect his fellow servicemen, he lost two legs and one arm.He stays in, a wheelchair. But I have never been around Max Cleland when 'Ireal. ized.or thought that he -had handicap. thatconstrained 'thefull realization of .hit-eortly prayer$, . S /any/any he serves in .government and fie ,serves fellow hurhalt' beiOs.He is an inspiration to me, and his is an exhibition constant -Courage;,which many ., . . of you also exhibit so well...... , e i ' 4 When-Itrademyinaugurationrspeech just a few months ago,4I quoted a school- \ . r--... 5 -' iii..., 'N ...... , 9 , ik a ,.. 6, ..A. , ) -1 v t .) 'T 6 r- 0 J .. . A .( teacher of mtne, Miss Jul ia Coleman.She was a principal in a tiny' school where attended when 'I was, a 'country boy.; She taughtme above _andbeyondthe classroom howl to write themes and how to debate and howto apprkciate rkp of ant and how tb understand goodmusic sandhow to. read books' that I:mould otherwise never have known to exist.

rt She was crippled; and she couldn'tsee thee children in her classroom.f think she would have been agoOd teacher had she not teen hand' apped,but ythink that...knowing abdut her own shortcominbs ina .Physical gaveanextra dimension and deptto her caring about other people. :

Your conference is irvorlant.You are intelligent, courageous leaders, but `. becausd you have expel-iencedsufferingandbecause: youhave'overcome it,I think the reeothmendations that will be coming frbmyou that..will affect the )ives'ofmany mill -cons of people npw and in the future will have thatsame

extra dimension. 7 ' . 4 Ourcounty' needsyou aid I knOw that you will never dtsapperint those-who look to you for leadership,Thank you vier4.much.

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I Dr. Henry Viscardt, Jr., Orafrman of the White HoUse Conference on Handicapped Individuals and Secretary Joseph A. Califano of HEW discuss conference .

- 6 4 ( p 'V `REIVIARSS OFHEW SECRETARY JOSEPH A. CALIFANO, JR. AftHE VolITE4-10USE CONFERENCEON HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS May 2, 1977

Goocevening, and a verywarm welcome to the White .House Conference on Handl- . capped'Ihdivi,dual:s.

tt White Route 'Conference isa catalytic event--one that .focuses concerns and develops an agenda,for action on matters of thegreatest national importance.

id-night you embark on this Conference'With tOfee vitalgoals:

- First, to'providp.anatjpnalassessment of the probltmsand thepo- , tentialt of individuals with mentalor physical; handicaps; .

Second, to,gwhate a national awareness ofthese' problems_Aicli have Ns. - meant that handicapped individuals -have ig theloast be'nan oppres'sed minority, subject V unconscionable discrimination,bepet by demoral- detoure4 out of the mainstream. of Merican life and unable to secure their rightful placeas full and independent citizens; and

- TOrd,-X0 make.recommendations.to the President and tolthe Congress --which-,if, implemehttd, will enable individuals withhandicaps tolead

. I proud and productive lives, despite their disabilities: (1*

Too often, h6Wever, the promise of a White HouseConference has not \been realized. after thebotels have. emptied and themedia have carried away their tameras and ,typewriters:

But I knowthatthis,Conference willbe different.

. I know it will be different, in part, because of thefine leadership pvided ,to. you by Henry Viscardi, Jr., Chairman of the White HouseConference,and by JacI F. Smith, Executive Director of the Conference. They, and their many co- , workers, have bten sensitiye to the strong demands fromall of you here to- .1,ight--antl from the millions of handicappedcitizens 11110111 you represent-- that the Conference emphasize practical, substantiveissues-that directly affeCt the ltves of Americans with disabilitig.

But the pfomie of this Conference will be realizedfor another, more profound reason. .1.1e are now enteringa new era of civil 'rights for the handicapped individuals of America. And we will Obt turn back. .

Fqr too long, America's handicapped individualshave been victimized b de- meaning praqices and injustim. But now there is r ognition that u st obstacles to selfdetermination and fair treatmentmusfall before thbrce of Jaw = -an understanding that the Nationas a whole mus end the shani neglecof handtdappdd citizens and help translatemany of their legitimate .needs into legal rights and meaningful programs. I Last month I signed a; reOl'ation implementing_Section-504 of-the Rehabifitta-,'- , --. don Act of 1973. "As you knowwell, Section 504 prohibits-diScriminatIOn-- . solely on the basis of handicap against otherwise -41Ttfied harldicOVed in-

dividuals, in programs receiving federal financial/assistance. --... v ., .. ..k , The 504 regulaflon is-a ladmark-in the questof handicapped citizens forlequal treatment, and it will be a,fundamental guidepost to the new era of civil rights for the handicapped. It calls for the fdllowing dramatic changes in the actions and attitudes pf.institutidns and individuals who are recipients. of funds from the:Department of Health, Education, and Welfare: . ' , - - All newflcilties must be barrier-free, t.e.., readily accessible i to and,e9able'by handicapped irdi4Oduals..

- Programsor activities in existing fac'ilitiet must, be made accessible to ale- handicapped wittin 60 days, and, if no other alternatives-- .soh as 1-eassignment of classes or h5life,visits--will achieve program accessibility, structural changes in the facilities mot be made. 1. within three years. No exceptions to the-program accessibility re-

, quirement will be.a)lowed. .

..._. . I loyers, may not refuse to hire handicappedpersons, if reasonable accommodations can be made by.theffito an individual's handicap and

.. if the handicgp does not -impair the ability of the applftant or .- .

employer to.do the specific jot,' , ..k

. . ( . . - Employers may notrequire pre-employment physical examinations -and may_ not make a pre-employment inquiry about whether a person is handicapped, or the hature or severity of a handicap, although 4. -employers may make a pre - employment inquiry into an-applicant10 ability toperform job-related functions...... -. I 1111r ( - Every handicapped childwill be entitled to free public education appropriate to his or her individual needs, regardless of the nature or severity of the handicap. 4 In those unusual caseswhet-6 plac4ment in a special residential setting is necessary, public 0 authdrities will be financially' responsible for tuitiorf, roomand board:

Handicapped children must nOt be segregated in the public schools,. No cldisrooms ' Kit must be educated with.the non-handicapped in regular to the maximum extent. possible.

-Educational,ins.titUtions and other social service programs must provide auxiliary aids, such as readers -tn schoorlitraries or inter- .. prgters for the deaf, to ensure full participation of handicapped

persons. .

All recipients of HEW funds, must complete within one year a self- evaluation process, invconsultation with handicapped individuals and organizations, to determine which of their policies and pnac- tices need to be changed to assure equal opportunity for handicapped, Americans.

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. Section 504 and the'564 Re.platiop constitute a striking recognition of.,the civil' rights of America's' Haridicapped citizens', just as Title V.1 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964..and Tit/0 IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, /and their companion regulations, are criticalelemerA in the structure' of law prOtecting the civil' rights of racial, minorities Ad'w6Men. Bqt we must now . begin the process ofmaking the new regulatisn a reality for handicapped American5.-

I pledge that this process will be mohitored'for efully, fairly and expedi: iously by HEW. There are firm timetables ip th regulation: -We should sticks ' to them. - me,briefly share with you' some of ,the Iteps we have of It4iT1 take to asassurecompliancewiththe 504. Reguldtion. We have an outs ding.new team of 8 leadV1-s"in-HEWls Office for Civil RightA, headed by David, atel, a distinguished attorney with broad civil rights experiesCe.' We: hate begun work with the'o6er Federal agencies and departments which mil Ibe issuing rehlatjons similar t9 the -504 regulation" and-that' wtll Apply to allrecipient`-of fedeeal funds. We have already begun lasti week to'mail tut 36,000 assurance of compliance forms to HEW recipients.. I'llese are due back on July 5th.'And,- if we do not get a timely and,adequatg-Nesponse., we will move immediately to enforce this ,requirement.,..Wfwil 1bel'e0y begin ,processing complaints brought under

Section 504 by'UDne 1st. , Over 200 complaints have been filed with the Depart- ment. -

We have-prepared, and begun to distri'bute, braille 'ind recorded copies of the .504- Regulati.on, so that handicapped citizens can learn firsthand, of their right.

We have planned--and will soon begin--a Major public awareness campaign that will inform handicapped individuals of their rights, recipient, of their obli, gations, and the American people,fintluding business and labor, about the` striking new change in law, Schools should undeptand mainstreawing; colleges should learn about the program accesiibiTitA requirements; otker'retiptents should understand how to restructure jobs; and myths "about handicapped and .

disabled people must be dispelled. A manual explaining 504 will soon be , ready for wide slistributi n

We will develop a technid 1 assistance unit to assist recipients in complying wjth important requirementlike mainstr4aming and program accessibility.

We have established a new p9sition in the Office for 'Civil Rights--the Deputy for Program Relliew--who work d*bcfly with.the other divisions of HEW so that -prograrb officers include civil rightscompliance requirements in their basic operations. Through these and other measures, the Section 504 Regula-. tion can work.

r , But voluntary co mpliane, aided by deep involvement of handicapped citizens and groups, will make the regulation Work far more quick4. If handicapped individuals, recipientsleaders in public and private life, and the Rbderal Government, can be guided by sensitivity, fairnees and common sense, then

the regulation can inimediatOy become a charter of equal opportunity, not an . invitation to '1 itigation.

- 9 _,- , .., 1 . - But ending discrimination is only the first step inassu rirfg, thathandicapped -citizens can assume their rightful roleas participan 4. ts,'to the fullest extent - possjble, ,in,Amer/tan societ. As the next three days will deTonstrate,,the. a task of guaraiteeing thit .handicapEed individuals have equal opportunities ' ih fact, and not Just under the-law, will require initiatiyes in many facets ofour social and economic life.

. . For example the Disability Insurance prggrae, part of HEW's SocialSecurity . ' Administr,atio, faces serious finaqial problems. The program provideMonthly cash payments to severely disabled adultswho have workVexperidnce covered by Social 5ecurity. Four million disabled jndividttajs:andtheir families. receiVe, benefits fromthe Disability Insuranceprogram. More than $7 Wilion is paid .. out annually to these'beneficiaries. . .

Ashyou know; President Carter E'es recently-s ent Congressa proposal for restoring the sound financial status of the Social ,Seguritysystem, and the most urgent, priority in that package is, restoring the fiscal integrity'o!the Djs- ' ability Insurance program.; 'Without the legislation which weare sending to Congress, the Disability Insuranc Truit Fundwould be in. defaul t. in,197a kbankrupting the Disability Insurance program." '

.President Carter plans to correet the 'deficit inthe Disability Trust, Fund, not by. adding to the tax burdens of. the 1'6w-income werker, but , by raising the 'wage base for employers and 111(5re:equitably spreading thecost's. .., it , B

With your support; Preiident Carter's propogalrcan ensure that di-sal2led ' individuals covered by Social Security contiQueto receive cash benefits. Millions of handicapped 'Americans 4eserVe to have their confidencein 'the Social Security systefft restored. .. - - ( . , ...:.? ,' . .- 'DuringT the next. few ddys, you will.Aitscuss and debate many issuesi that, like the health of the Disability Insuranceprogram,are of great significance to handicapped AmeriCan< ' , . . , . On Thursday,I hope to' return to you and discuss the work of the Confetence--- and where we go from here. .

: . . . But )for ' now I just,want to stress the:warmth ofmy wel corde to you, to, echo - Prelident Carter's strong words of suppIrt, and to thankyou--for die" wisdbm you will share-wi:h,ut and for tha courage you have shown us? and a_l the

- Ametitan'peol5le. . . . ,1".. . . ' Aft

ti- :'RtMARK&BY, HUD.SECRETARYPATOICIA ROB-EATS HARRIS.,S . i, . °' .AT THE.WHITE HOUtE,CONrERENCE, ,- ', 1 . . ; :- I' PORii7PICAPPE6IN D41/10 U,A LS , . ,,, . , / May 25, 19/7 . I / / . - , - * fi.A pertin Whoofi" severely impaired," Helen 'Keller, noted, "never knowtyis ,

hidden SouvtWof strength until he isstreated 'like a normal human being ant,... .4' .° encouraged to shape, his own 1i fe." , .- _---7, ,,.. , ,:. ..* rshare w91.1 the eight htindred legateso this. conference, p eclahv iction . , that it it time to ask every r.of govelmment toe-examicie its 'programs.and ,, ',policy to deterwine whether they encourage the handicapped tO shape their own--'-: i ,t. 1 ive'land to. liVe-indeper,idently. , , ." , '.r4 s - k , --"rie )--- Dr.Henry VisCarsif, Chair of the COnference; has stated the case siitclictly, "The message from handldappeditridividuals and their families is very clear. They want action'.They want folloW-through,.They want 'commitment../...V il :Ai the Secretary', of the tepartanent of Wising and Urban Developient,I' am .here today to,tell you- thlt,Americans with disabilitieSNAill get action and follow.: through from HUD: ...... - 4. ; s i' . Fo4r months ago- HUD began 'the prloceis Of reviewing Trent rograms and expl or- ing neqousing aptiorir-for people.withdisabilities..A group of consumers Met with me an ,started to meet, on an. infonsal sis, with HUD p&sonnel whoa !. share theitc.cournitment to the handicapped. . .._ili ) ,, k :1;hat.,grotifS of consumer iiclude4 Dr.. frank*Bowevand Jar' aCobi of the Americ,an:--, I Coalition of Citizens v4lEh-DiSabilities; Ms. Eunice Fiorito from the Mayor's ..Office for the Handicappel iil.New-York; Clar.ke Ross from the United Cerebr861 Palsy, Association; Sitsan",Weisqlanes of the katiorralAssociationforRetarded CherylDavis from the4ssatlTsettl State -Department of Cdnimunity Affairs.; and Robert Colikl to Of the Mationg 1 Association of the. Phyfical ly I .... , ki P . H a n d i d a p ped. t ., 4 s . 1

- recommendations wIicti'resulted from this interplay of s are'. The preliminary - .4 being reviewed by theDepartment.Today,I_ would like to announce some immediate deci 'ns, which *ere a product oftthis dialogue, teat have . .. i 4 -to demonstrate. UD's cormiitment to AmeriCans with disabilities. . . . . , .:. . , Firttjeffective Juhe-eth, 1977,, a Aew-giffice of Independent Living for ,the . Disabled will be establ ished in, the' Office "of Housing." This office will be, headed by David.Wil,liamson,-a career einployee' of the Department, and will"; report 'directly to Assistant.Sedretary Simons.This will be the fTrst time that ,-the concerrifor the disabled will betreatorseparately from those of the elderly.ThPis will 'be the first ,time that the housing concerns of the disalgetj N5 -* will have dtrect'atntion to MOD's principal production diiision.' , .-.* . ,, - : I know Dave Will`iam?on acid Larry Simons will produce more housing bp4ions fort Americans-with disabilities.The new Office of Independent Living will work to

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'make HUD more sensitive to the needs of the disabled both at the Central Office and in the Field Offices;.Itwillalso be responsib,le-for the activities of a departMeMtal work group that will draft HUB's regulatory; response to the

'Rehabilitation Act of.1973.The CarterAdminiitration,considers these flew . 504 Regulation's toile ther"C,ivil Rights Act" for, Arrterica's disabled . . #: Second, HUD 1%establis'hing-agoal thilt- 5T of,all zeir family housing unit constructed, under the Section 8 end publichousing programs will be designed 1, for use by the disabled.The Department currently assists, in pike product:" of specially designed hits for the elderly' disabled under the gection'n2; Section 221 -(d)-4 and public housing programs as wellas other prograirw. / will be ow first major dorinitment to the nonuelderlYAisabled:( . This new hobsing goal 'will mark the first pf a series of steps'y.HUD to plikide.,"":'1 -prbperly designed, accessible houSing for the rkri-elderny. handicapped:The.' .Department -will soon; pllbl -lit) an argendrient to the current Section 8 program. mal-J,,group hOmes. and community residenCes, 'with- shared kitchen and- bathroom facilities, will be an eligible and viable 'housing option under 014. amendjnerit. Additionally, I am working with the Counsel to the-Secretary tot.... develop otherinnovative approaches to the Section 8.*existing "gram which ' will promote the deinstitutional tzation. of the mental ly ,handicapped.

4- would also, like to note that we are well awarehat- het;sing..without services is not 'adecitlIfte housing for people with diSabilies. CI ill work with the Secretaries of Health, Education,.a.nd Welfare La or, and Tra4portation to _develop comprehensive service programs for our housing programs. third, the Department-will begin immedia te)a major effort to encourage lovl cibmmunities to spend a greater. share of tir-Community Dev.eloprrient Block Grant Funds tot theelimination of architec barriers,and the construction ofi rehaplitition facilities for the hand' pped. It is the Department's belieflo as recently outlined by Assistant Sedretary Embry, that the, hqndicappedrepre- sent a significant portion of the, population for which-the Community Development' Program was intended.We believe that locaT 4e xpendi tures for the handicapped- 'constitute an expenditure that is beneficial to low and mdderate income 4100 p6ple. HUD is committed to an active leadership role. to raise the current level of local *experiditaresito a level consistent with aemonstated need. , Fourth, 'I will continue the infle;:dlalogUe that now exists between the consumer advocates the theDepa . I will also explore the possibility -of establishing 0,.Consumer -Advisory COmittee on In4epehdent Living to help us make better use of our existing programs and to develop new programs so that there wikbe continued progress in this areal. . . . Finally,I wantallof you to know"that I am comitted, and the Departrnt is Committed, tO doing 411 that is in our power to eliminate the barr which prevent Americans with disabilities from enjoy ,thefullest poss ble darticipationinprograms,andin the activities of our society. .

/. . Conclusion:I have outlined today some 'immediate steps %ilia the Department 'd, dousing and Urban Development has taken orr behalf ofpersons with dis- -4X-abilitig. ').4It- , ,,--..?,' . - 12 - la

41 . . . '"-i. , . , Wean. recogni7:.e that- these steps are-just the beginning of a much longer Y journey that will lead to.the final elimination of the barrier. `that impritgn

OPIR-Or.giour population, this lost minority of Americans. ,

. . ' -' . . It-Ys' up to all of us` to wolrk to c n g e- this societydesignedlby the 'able-

. bodied, pr:imarily for the ablebodiVd--into.a society that encourages and supports satisfying life style for people e ith di t4r1 ides, Thank' yOu.

. . % J

4 4

HUD Secretary Patrick Roberts-Harris meets the'Press with Assistant Secretary Larry. Simoni (left) and David WAliFifsop, Office of hidepertetent = Living

.0 . to . 1 ..: .STATEMENT OF .U.S.ISECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION BROCK ADAMS AT PRESS CONFERENCE ON TRANSBUS May 19, 1977

I 'am announcing today my decision to require all new publq buses piirch*ased-,, with Department of1TransPartationgrants..to be designed for easy access by elderly and handicapped pertons

I am directingthe use of a new but specif cation, requiring all buses offered for bid after. September 30, 1179, to have floor hei.ht of not more than 22 e inches capAlb of kneeling to 18 inches a ve the 'fund. a be equipped with a ramp for boarding._

-,13- ,

I. - - This de;ision is bised on 'a public hearing held by this depirtment_On March 15- and my review-of theinformation aid views submitted by busmanufacturers, r groups reppesenting the elderly and handicapped, the American Public Transit

, Associat'o, and others. . ...: _ , A review of the history of the Transbus prograq.convincesme that simply-en- buragingJransbus.may not resq4t in its introductionnow or in the future. Even after this department invested abOUt $27 million in the Transbusprogram; all serious effortstaward producing.Transbusstopped when the Urban Mass Transportation Administration arinolinted in July 1976 that it wouldnot be man- dated. ,( . ..

, . . . As most of you are aware, the Transgus 0Ogiiin enlisted.theaid of the'three Mich' domestic los manufacturers lb produce prototype buses that wouldattract greater rieership,...te accessible.to all"passengers, including the elderly and physically handicapped..

- . , ":f Amaware that many mho -are opposed to mandating'Trans Us argue that it is. 4 not now withinour ability. to -prodUip a low-floor, ram bus which can N 4 operate Safely and effic' , in day-to-day transit se vice. These tions - are discussed in de in the decision document and ark, in my j4dgmen , satisfactorily-refuted,

.... ,-\ , . , Transbus mandate does not, in spy judgment,-interfere with the , reSponsibilitiof local officials to Owl for and implementmass transportatioq projects. TransOgs, in fact, will permit faster and more efficient bus 'service by minimizing the:time required to fakeon and discharge allpassengers,

including those who_areelderly or, handicapped. -

NIP 1:pelieve'it is my responsibility to'insu.re-tothe-extent feasible thatno segment of out Population is needlessly denied access to public transpottation. It is now"within our techndlobal capability,t6insure that elderly and handidipped persons are accordedaccess to *ban mass transit buses.'This access is 'Fundamental to the ability of such persons to lead independent and productive We cannpt deny them rights that so many others enjoy, when it is. within Our ability tb accord,them such(rights.. 4 , A review of the record convinces me that, ata minimum, the three major domestic bus manufacturers could begin Transbus deliveries within three and one-half years. This date allows almost two and one-half yeltrs fot development before bidding would begin, and approximately months thereafter before the buses are actual !'y delivered. . % 4Isaid in my opening-rema rks at x4e Transbus b 'hearing, we leave avetY com-

petent bus manufacturing capability in this country as well as abroad, and I believe competition, as -well as incovation, must be encouraged. I am certain that these manufacturers can meet the challenge at producing Trahsbus. Additionally, Ibelieve the pressure ofeffective competition among the manufacturers will result- prompt introduction orthis needed improvement. If one manufacturer substAntially beats the effective date of the mandate, we will consider sole source procurements to get Transbusion the streets.as soon as it is available.

- 14 - 1 £5 r Further, I have decided to leave inn effect tide interim policy on accessibilipy forthe elderly and handicapped.That is, manufacturers must continue to offer optional wheelchair lifts_and local transit authoritiei must eitbet. purchase,buges with lifts on provide special services for eld4rly and handi e. capped-passengers. '4- N ; I . . A 4. / * r * * -* * * * * * * = . . \ 2 Fon further information, contact:-- ,U.S. Qepdrtment of TransportationTransportation Office of Public AffaIrs Washington, D.C. 20590

STATEMENT cot DR. 'HENRY VIStARDI, JR. CHNIRMAN, WHITE HVIIUSE CON.IFERENC,E ON HANDICAPPED. INDIVIDUALS -, . P tr . Disability is.-nothing.new to 'was bornrwith it.- hived as'a child and young maig, :Born without limbs, I came to know all the pity; pain, .frustration, and disillusionment that is the life of the disabled. To me and millions of disabled .Americans like me, freedom is thi opportunity to seek the challenges of llfe and, not the stale calm of some subsidized utopia.. The White-House Conference on Handicapped Individuals represents the culmination, of my work in the fields of education, rehabilitation, and advocacy for physically and mentally handicapped childrenand adults.

While it has been a Very gratifying experience, it is more impdrtantly a proltgue for the future. As we move into our' third century_as efree nation of diverse people, it vital.that handicappedIndividuals express their needs and potentials to elected officials and fellow citizens.

The White House Conference olt Handicapped Individuhls is a- product of tens-of . thousands of-man hours of effort. State and regional conferences throughout the'hation have led us to this moment., We stand poised on the threshold of -a new era for America's dtsabled. By working- together, I am confident that we will achieve our ultiMa& goal of dignjty, independence, and freedom of participation in all of life's activities. ''

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15 - 16 ;

s HIGHtIGHTS.FRbM THE li,VORASHOPS 4

Workshop on Barriers a

We must put aside -personarneeds anddeal with 611 needs and this should be- unapimous, agreed delegates at .tjiis workshop. Mark Frawis, Oregon delegate, Said action should be "all for one andone for all," rather than ''just me

first." "We're all here-to deal withthe problems of all the handicapped, 1. not just specific groups," Francis continued.The blind (Francis ls blind) are extremely t4ell-organizedand have a strong lobby, he said. They'll ,let, more some with other disabilities. According to the delegate,, in every Statethe blind have a separate agency looking after their Weds, "while all other disabled people have only a single) agency to look 'after . their needs." Francisb ljeves, that the White House Conference has beeha success. He feels that4nimp Want result of the Conferepce is a gPeafer public awareness of justho the handicappet people ans .'

JoeBroWn, Chief' of thetalifornia State Department' of Transportation,commented: "X think there is-Ahcreasing polarization among the delegates because they are frustrated with trying to cmertoo Brown, 4aid Congress,and -the California State Legislature must have specific legislative propisals, not general recommendations. r A4 Delegate'Carlyn Landsberg from DAtwareexpressedopposition tp the Adhin- istration's plans to tak larger "gasguzzling"automobiles. Sinee-host ndi- cappeersonsO must use larger cars ln order to-have adeqpate space, there 'should be arc exception made for them, she pointed, out.

Dennis Cannon, delegate from California, said, the White House Conferenceon ihoRapdicapped Individuals,disapproves theAmeran.PublicTransit Association's (APTA) assertion that hedicapped persOns are divided on whether they want special transportation-or transportation ac ible to everyone. Cannon, who is Chairman of the insumer Advisory Subcommite to the Mobility for derly and Handic pped Comm teeof APTA, and a cdnsultant to the Southern Ca1ifornia Rapid Tra it.Disttict, refeqed to APTA's publicly abriaunced opposition to full acre in pgblic-transit.ln .favor 'of "full mobility,", ich.is separate services. The transportation workshop passe a ;resolution lling for the elderly and handicapped to have theAthe ri s as other,pe to use public transportation facilities and serviceij%. ing for a longterm objective of requiringa41 systems to be fully accessible, th resolution requires all

transit vehicles purchased pith UMTA funds after ebruary 15, 1977, " . . to be accessible to the maximum extent technologically easitile."

. Workshop on Economic Issues

The tlgo major topics in the EConomic Workshop were economic opportunity and econoN0c security.

Under econtc opporiUnity, the delegates called,for a re- evaluation of screening 'requirements for employment in the Armed Forces to assure

. A

- e' against discrimination. Strong emphasis was also placed on establishing requirements to get employees and'organizations-thmlveLearixjn.the vocational rehabilitation process.

On the topic of economic security, Susan Spealberg, a Virginia delegate, pushed for a revision of existing service eligibility laws to prevent families of 'unemployable handicapped individuals from being forced to lower their living standard by using their income and savings to ensure'economic security for

disabled family members: a

A delegate from Hawaii,Ann " . . moreinterest should be taken in unemploy4ble handicapped people." She urged an exploration of situations where unen41oyables may be able to assist other handicapped people,'and support of. special radio and television programming to provide maximum opportunities -for individual growth and development of unemployables.

Mack Freeman, Florida delegate, commented on modifying )1negatilte attitudes"- toward handicapped persons. Freeman.stated lack f exposure'was-a big problem and attacked the business community, calling for a resolution beamed at "Madison Avenue" which would mandate tile use of handicapped pedpie in adliertNise- ments. "After aT1," he explained, "if handicapped pebpte can eat'Kelloggit 1_,,,/" Cornflakes; wash their clothes with Tide, and use other.advertised products, they should be included in the advertiOments of these products." 1

, Lou Stark, a delegate from Wionsin,4rgedstrong supOrt for arecommendation requiritig, all .collegesc and trade school4with an_ architectural curriculum to require 4 segment of instructidh pertaihing,to accessibility. _

Workshop on Health

Dr. J'. konald Millar, pahel Member in the Workskgp on Prevent-tohcsaidhe was inspir4d to have'a dialogue with the receivers of services to the handl- capped."killar is Director of the Bureau of State Services 'of the. Center fori Communicable Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia.

"$uccess comes in degrees," said New Jersey delegate Dianelitcher, "Nandi- capped people are.how ready to fight for equal rights." , .

. Deaf delegates to the workshop demanded that mace doctors, nurses and teachers learn sign language for communicating with deafplaeople. Jacquelthe Shield, from Maryland and the parent of a deaf daughter; said'that 'training professionals and greaterwal-eness in hgspitals and scho about disability will make screening, d ection, identification and t atm t more possible.",.

During the workshop Health andSocial Issues, the delegates `demanded an ',open world" for the handicapped. Instead of being "tax=eaters," they he'll become taxpayers, delegates said, There is confidence in the future and it- will producemore g therings suchas this Conference, according to thp. delegate's present.

. Delegate Lyn Meeks fro _Gea-rgia also stressed_the need for diagnosis And pcg- vention. New legislation should preventdiscriminationto any handicapped f / - 17- i*. \-----'

18 . -

t(-) individual and bring more awareness to the non-handicapped people, she said.

Health Workshop sfsSions expressed interest in a proposal tb male health services to deaf persons linguistically accessible tvall.

Workshop on Educational Concerns . Virgin IslandS delegate William Lomax summarized the three-day workshop 'as Yen.lightening," and stated that it was an "incentive to demand more from our government for ditabled'people." He said he found that problems which he thought' peculiar to the Virgin Islands were, in reality, "similar to Stateside problems." Lomax also praised the Conference in general for its "openness" and for the encouragement it offered to every delegate to speak out even when . the delegate was "hard tounderstand."( 4i

The delegates to the Education Workshop felt that teachers were presently ex- cluding disabled children from the classroom. They urged that "mainstreaming" techniques be used on teachers. They also suggested that more disabled teachers would also result in more distbled students in. the regular clatsrboms.

Workshop on Aging

Senior citizens who also are disabled should have the right to work with an income means test, according to delegates to the Aging Workshop. An Alaskan delegate was cheered by the other delegates when he rtcOunted the case of an Anchorage bus driver who, at the age of 79, "can work, wants to work, and is working ."

Delegates to this workshop also stressed the importance'of positive media presentation of disabled people. The need to combat stereotypes about older people was stressed.

Workshop on Research

Deploring a downward trend in federal spending for research since 1971, Dr. F. Ray Finley,' Associate Director of the Krusen Center for Research and

. Engineering, Temple University, Moss Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, called for expanding programs in basic research.. Both professionals and the handicapped themselves should cooperate--as they are at the Whitellbuse Conference-gin pushing for additional research'funds. \s-aid that "it is very important for handicapped people to meet' here_ficd identify their concerns in an atmosphere of mutual cooperation -wit health professiona4s."

Workshop on' Housing

"Incentives should be provided t8 integrate feature desgnetThr the handl,

capped, along with _those for regular improvements in, all ,buildings and _ , remodel ing," stated frirrST-SP-arks,alii--architect and -delegate from Kentucky, at the Housing Workshop. He added that a large part of the architectural barriers problem for the disabled is the lack of awareness of these berries- among architects. Other del egates tofileHousing Workshop called on the

- 18 - I 1 4. if

$. government to provide financial incentives tolyilders to meet 'handicapped people's needs, NI

Workshop on Recreation

. A delegate in the Re6reation Workshop brought down the house wpen she sa4d, ."Prljudice As being down on things you're not'up

2.The Recreation Workstoptdelegates demanded an end to prejudice and discrimination against- handicapped people in buildings, ticansportittion, parks and all recreationa facilities. "Total accessibilityvwas their expressed goal. ir A Workshop on Social Concerns \ire,

'. Delegatisatt6ndiI.ng the Workshop on Social Concerns magntained that handicapped %

peoplaThave a basic right to attend concerts, movies, ert exhibits and other- cultural eventi, and these events must be made attessibl to them. Educators

have the resp6Asibility to proMote events, not asherapi,y but at "an enjOyable I experience." . -

19 -. 20 ro

Workshop onjspecial Concerns Native Am rican,Q3lack, Hispanic background, and Oriental delegates spoke_out for

!cultural awareness training for service providers-, multilingualstaffing, and . role - model, publicity for-successful- handicapped minority individuals-in.-the Work- shop *on Special Concerni.SeveNaT,delegates, while recognizing the special in- terests of minorities, were concerned that specialization not workto the detri- " ment &f all di,sabled persons.Delegate Ray Fitzpatrick of Connecticut said, ."Despite the special concerns thtt ail ofus have-, it is important that we do not.lose sight of why we are here.My partiCular interest is rdental retardation --but we are hereor all the handicapped."

*laveKelley of Utahsurrinarized:4 Wearell'hiere for acommoncause, i.e., to promotethe needs and problems bf handicapped people and to promote appropriate legislation at State and Fell levels.We must oppose efforts to splinter us.s.I white, in a1,1heelchitr all mlife, and a collegestudent.Any of these cha acteristics could be reason to be ina faction, but I don't give a hill of bans about trris.I'm here for-all 'handicapped people." A 0 session- focussed on_the probjems ,i(f disabled veterans.The group had a rong feeling that the Veterans Administration should develop job placement activities- by el iminating time 1 imitations for training, by mandatingcounsel-) ing.of all disabled veterans at discharge, and by extending training in semi- skilled and technical areas. , A - NV Said delegate John Dean of\ New York:"I wasn't touns,eleiii3vNen I was discharged took me over ayearto find out about vocational reha ilitation in the , Veterans AdMinistrattion."The group expressed;a-high interest in the develop- ?tient of miasures to retainpersons who acquire disabilities in military service. Delegate Dave Kelley of Utah ttrted cordideration of .disabled civilians being permitted to join the military."I'M 4-F and I.don't like,.it.d =have !somethin4

to contribute too."This drew spontaneous applause from the group,:many of-. JW-Nom were disabled veterans.

REMARKS BY JACKSMITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON HANISICA'PPED INDIVIDUALS 0 'We have listened to the voice of handicapped people through state confeces, and in planning the national conference.Now, the achlinistrators and the _. Congress are ready to receive and: act_on your final recommendationsrecom- mendations that will chart a new course.

I believe this White House Conleren'ce will be remembered inverypositiveways, . Health, social; economic, education and' civil rights components affecting' handicapped Americans will at last receive their propli;locus in this country.I 1 Phrases like "separate but equal"can andmustbe eliminated from our vocabulary. ,Human rights for persons with\physical or mental disabilities mustmean independence, dignity aiicNull participation in every corner of this nation' and in ever/ activity.

r _ \-4,-, . ,. - - 20 -. hi A. f

The conference's National Planning and Ad,visory Council is ready to help you make thi? the molst productive White House Conference ever held.The achieve -mentl of this conference can light the way for future generations..

HARRIS ANNOUNCES'iNITIATIVES ',FOR THE HANDICAPPED

Patricia Roberts Harris, Secretary ofitti and Urban,DeveTdplent, announced that a new Office of Independent Living f the Disabled willikbe established in HUD. This new office will report' directly 0 theAssistant Secretary for Housing, and will work to make HUD more aware of thehousing and environmental' needs of

11 Americans with disabilities. I . At the same time, the Secretary announced several other actions that will bs taken to provide more aiccess to Federal housing programs for pebple with dis.- abilities., .0 i Included in these ini1iatives Secretary Harris's decision-. to-ilt.t the goal c "that five percent of &11 new f riily units constricted under the Section 8 and public housing programs be designed for use by the handipped. . ... Uhisnewhousing goal," she said, "will mark the first of a series Of steps HOD to provide prone ly designed, accessible, housing for the non-elderly handicapped."Other ste swill be taken to remoye.Oarriers that preVent the disabled from--pWrticipa ing more fully in normalctivities. Theyare; A t . ..; : - Local communities will 'beurged to spend al.arger share of their , .. community development block grant funds toeliminate architectural barriers and to build rehabilitation facilities. 4, .400, - HUD will explore innovative approaches to developing alternative r housing environments for the ni,ally disabled. --Through the new Office of Independent Living' for the Disabled, HUD, sill make a greater effort to sensitize the Departmert to the needs ..' of the disabled. .' . ..$ --Under-the leadership of the Office of Independent Living atwork giou,P 11 will be set up to drift,. in cooperation with consumer and advocac groups, HUD regulations spelling out civil rights, for .peoae with

P disabilities. . ,., r ) L - The Secretarywill continue workinrwith the Ad Hoc Conintttee on t , IridepeDdent Living that was established three months ago, to work I.with consumers. * 21 - . ,-42 d - -She ,will also expl ore the Oofsilglity of establ ishing.aconsumer advisorycommitteeonindependentliving to make better use of

'-irex-isting programs and to developnew programs.tp ensure cant-hoed . progress in'tbis area. . ... r

. c 0 Secretary Harris also noted _HUD's past accomplishments in providing housing, for people with disabilities under theSection 202program. . The Secretary pledged that action will be taken tokonvert_HUD's commitments to persons with disabilities into realities.

"ACCESS AMERICA"-NATIONAL ,., .. ,PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED . "ACCESS AMERICA" is thenew trademarked slogan to bp used b,the,federal:Archi-' tectural and Trhnsportation Barriers 'Compliance Board (A&TBCB) ipa national public awareQesi campaign to promote access to anduse of all biTildings' and facilities iv all Amerlay. 1 %. .

: . 11 To be Taunched`within a year, the national campairAll crateawareness of architectural,transportation,andattitudinal' barers affecting 'mill ions of C, - people and promote barrier-free design in theman-ma environment. ' -,-,-The A &TBCB was created by Congress- in 1 ifl3 primarily topsure Compliance with 'standards prescribed under federal laws which require that all buildingsand facilities owned, occupied, or financed by the United States Governmentbe accessible to and usable by.physically' handisapped persons. ,

The major governmental 'force providing national'leadership- to make the . made environment functional- for an_people,A&TBCBthe iscomposed. ofnine 4 federal agencieg:Health, EducatiOn, and Welfare; Transp*tation; Housing'and Urban Develoment; Labor; Ynterior' Defense;GeneralServices Administration; Postal ServickandVeterans Administratign.For further Information, contact. theArchitectuyal and Transportation Barribrs Conipliance Board, Room 1014 MES Building, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201. rt

%ACCESS TO PUBLIC BUILDIN.06 AND % TRANSPORTATION FOR tIANDICAPPED 1 r 40# ' Enforcementof federal law requVin9 independentaccess -topublic buildings . grid transportition for handicappitthepersons 'wasl he` major issue ofa public. awareness conference receritly kc9nducted by the National Advisory Committeeon an Accessible Environment att?University otZalirnia.in Berkeley. The meeting was sponsored by- the University ofCaliforniaA Disabled Students Union. .., . .. Enforcement and compliance processes ud by the federal goArnment's Archi- tectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (A&TBC134) .._ were exined.

4 - z3

49' 1,

The A&TBCB ensures compliance with standards prescribed under federal laws which

requirethat all buildings and fattitiv$ owned by the United States Government .

be.accessible to and usable by physically handicapped persons. ,

...... The National Advisory Committee on an Accessible Environmenewas established to provide guddaixe, Advice, and recommendations to the A&TBCB. / It meets qUarterly-in different locations in the nation.The"16' members of the committee, which represents handicapped citizens, come from across thnation.

The majority of hemare handicipped. '

. .

The conference in Berkeley was ate first of a series of such public awareness

-conferences to be had in Various regions of the country,' .

iJEW PAMPHLET TFLLS +IOW TO MAKE COMPLAINT ABOUT BUILDINGS INACCESSIBtE TO HANDICAPPED

kw pamphletekplai.ning how to make a complaint about an,inaccessitle . lederally'financed building has been published by the Architectural and Trans- portation BarrierscCompliance Board (A&TBCB). 4 . / Access America: The Architectural Barriers Act and Youis a guide to the complaint process and enforcement,rules u ed by the A&1BCB to ensure compliance witthe Architectural Barriers Actfo 1968.

Ni..., .. The pamphlet,explAns that X y pers --including those who, Irehandicapped--

, has thetrigft of independent access to buildings and facilities constructed, leased., or altered for the'federal government or with the use of federal funds. How to a written complai a d what happens twit is 8- ailed. The pamphlet puts'in everyday languag thA &ThCB's "Practice and srtl''edures for Com- pliance Hearings"cpublthe in e F deraT Register on December 20., 1976.

1,'1

4. SUIMIVIARY. SELECTED LEGISLATION. RELATIN 1Q THE HANDICAPPED 0 -

The booklet, A Ulmer of sated Le islation Relatin to the Handica cl 1975-1976 corita ns brtef s nopseS of legitlation enact y the t Congress whi a fects phWeally ti'd ment011y handicapped persons. ,NIt is designed-to hel prcer am planners,'s dents,anCi interesteckcitizens gain insight into laws whichafthoriie 'program with varied objectives benefiting handicapped persons.

.Single copies ire avai able from: Office for gadicapped Individuals

' / Department of.Health, Education, and W are

. / / i Room 3380Plouth Poolial Building' --

Washington', D.C. 26201 ,

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Nod Rumen,Seto( .Betty M. Schmidt. Assistant editor Editor Note: Publication of articles in Programs for the liandiapped Adds s' editorial Inquiries to: does not constitute an endorse- men: of the services, devices, aids and opinions described by the authors therein. TheEditor( . = Propanesforthe Handicapped ' Room 3350 South PortalRidg. 350 ledependeoce Ammo, RIC 2 5 %shingles. DX- 20201 DREW Publication No. (OHD)-77-2200: