President's New Freedom Initiative
Fulfilling America's Promise to Americans with Disabilities

The New Freedom Initiative is a comprehensive plan that
represents an important step in working to ensure that all
Americans have the opportunity to learn and develop skills,
engage in productive work, make choices about their daily lives
and participate fully in community life. The Initiative's goals are to:

• Increase access to assistive and universally designed technologies;
• Expand educational opportunities;
• Promote home ownership;
• Integrate Americans with disabilities into the workforce;
• Expand transportation options; and
• Promote full access to community life

http://www.hhs.gov/newfreedom


DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE - REPORT OF FEDERAL AGENCIES' ACTIONS TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

http://www.hhs.gov/newfreedom/final/

In March 2002 HHS sent a report titled Delivering on the Promise: HHS Self-Evaluation to Promote Community Living for People with Disabilities to President Bush to respond to how the goals set forth in the New Freedom initiative would be accomplished. The report is based upon an exhaustive agency self-assessment and review and analysis of comments from more than 800 individuals and organizations representing diverse interests and disabilities. The process led HHS to identify critical barriers to community-based alternatives for people with disabilities and commit to take concrete action to reduce and eliminate those barriers.

To address these barriers, HHS has developed a comprehensive policy framework featuring seven basic types of action. The infrastructure within the Department to promote community alternatives for people with disabilities is through the establishment of the Office on Disability and Community Integration and other management initiatives. This office is working closely with the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

The Secretary of Health and Human Services created the Office on Disability (OD) in October 2002. The Director of the Office reports to the Secretary and serves as an advisor on HHS activities relating to disabilities. The Office on Disability oversees the implementation and coordination of disability programs, policies and special initiatives for 54 million persons with disabilities.

Excerpts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) New Freedom Initiative Web site