On Thursday, President George W. Bush announced his Freedom Initiative
that among other things commits hundreds of millions of dollars of new
funding to assistive technology. Below is the text of his proposal as
handed to disability leaders in the East Room of the White House.
kelly
Foreword by President George W. Bush
My Administration is committed to tearing down the barriers to
equality that face many of the 54 million Americans with disabilities.
Eleven years ago the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) made it a
violation of federal law to discriminate against a person with a
disability.
But there is much more to do. Though progress has been made in the
last decade, too many Americans with disabilities remain trapped in
bureaucracies of dependence, denied the tools they need to fully
access their communities.
The unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities hovers at 70
percent. Home ownership rates are in the single digits. And Internet
access for Americans with disabilities is half that of people without
disabilities.
I am committed to tearing down the remaining barriers to equality that
face Americans with disabilities today. My New Freedom Initiative will
help Americans with disabilities by increasing access to assistive
technologies, expanding educational opportunities, increasing the
ability of Americans with disabilities to integrate into the
workforce, and promoting increased access into daily community life.
I look forward to working with Congress to see these proposals become
law.
Table of Contents
Foreword by President George W. Bush
Executive Summary
1
Increasing Access to Assistive and Universally Designed Technologies
6
Expanding Educational Opportunities
9
Promoting Homeownership
11
Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce
12
Expanding Transportation Options 18
Promoting Full Access to Community Life
20
Executive Summary
Fulfilling America's Promise to Americans with Disabilities
Disability is not the experience of a minority of Americans. Rather,
it is an experience that will touch most Americans at some point
during their lives.
Today, there are over 54 million Americans with disabilities, a full
20 percent of the U.S. population. Almost half of these individuals
have a severe disability, affecting their ability to see, hear, walk,
or perform other basic functions of life. In addition, there are over
25 million family caregivers and millions more who provide aid and
assistance to people with disabilities.
Eleven years ago, Congress passed and President George Bush signed one
of the most significant civil rights laws since the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 - the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In doing so,
America opened its door to a new age for people with disabilities. Two
and a half years ago, amendments to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 were enacted ensuring that the Federal Government would
purchase electronic and information technology which is open and
accessible for people with disabilities.
Although progress has been made over the years to improve access to
employment, public accommodations, commercial facilities, information
technology, telecommunications services, housing, schools, and polling
places, significant challenges remain for Americans with disabilities
in realizing the dream of equal access to full participation in
American society. Indeed, the Harris surveys by the National
Organization on Disability and numerous other studies have highlighted
these persistent obstacles.
Americans with disabilities have a lower level of educational
attainment than those without disabilities:
* One out of five adults with disabilities has not graduated from
high school, compared to less than one of ten adults without
disabilities.
* National graduation rates for students who receive special
education and related services have stagnated at 27 percent for
the past three years, while rates are 75 percent for students who
do not rely on special education.
Americans with disabilities are poorer and more likely to be
unemployed than those without disabilities:
* In 1997, over 33% of adults with disabilities lived in a household
with an annual income of less than $15,000, compared to only 12
percent of those without disabilities.
* Unemployment rates for working-age adults with disabilities have
hovered at the 70 percent level for at least the past 12 years,
while rates are significantly lower for working-age adults without
disabilities.
Too many Americans with disabilities remain outside the economic and
social mainstream of American life:
* 71% of people without disabilities own homes, but fewer than 10%
of those with disabilities do.
* Computer usage and Internet access for people with disabilities is
half that of people without disabilities.
* People with disabilities vote at a rate that is 20 percent below
voters without disabilities. In local areas, disability issues
seldom surface in election campaigns, and inaccessible polling
places often discourage citizens with disabilities from voting.
People with disabilities want to be employed, educated, and
participating, citizens living in the community. In today's global new
economy, America must be able to draw on the talents and creativity of
all its citizens.
The Administration will work to ensure that all Americans have the
opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work,
choose where to live and participate in community life. The
President's "New Freedom Initiative" represents an important step in
achieving these goals. It will expand research in and access to
assistive and universally designed technologies, further integrate
Americans with disabilities into the workforce and help remove
barriers to participation in community life.
The Policy
The "New Freedom Initiative" is composed of the following key
components:
Increasing Access to Assistive and Universally Designed Technologies:
* Federal Investment in Assistive Technology Research and
Development. The Administration will provide a major increase in
the Rehabilitative Engineering Research Centers' budget for
assistive technologies, create a new fund to help bring assistive
technologies to market, and better coordinate the Federal effort
in prioritizing immediate assistive and universally designed
technology needs in the disability community.
* Access to Assistive Technology. Assistive technology is often
prohibitively expensive. In order to increase access, funding for
low-interest loan programs to purchase assistive technologies will
increase significantly.
Expanding Educational Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities:
* Increase Funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA). In return for participating in a new system of
flexibility and accountability in the use of Federal education
funds, states will receive an increase in IDEA funds for education
at the local level and help in meeting the special needs of
students with disabilities.
* Focus on Reading in Early Grades. States that establish a
comprehensive reading program for students, including those with
disabilities, from preschool through second grade will be eligible
for grants under President Bush's Reading First and Early Reading
First Initiatives.
* Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce:
* Expanding Telecommuting. The Administration will provide Federal
matching funds to states to guarantee low-interest loans for
individuals with disabilities to purchase computers and other
equipment necessary to telework from home. In addition,
legislation will be proposed to make a company's contribution of
computer and Internet access for home use by employees with
disabilities a tax-free benefit.
* Swift Implementation of "Ticket to Work." President Bush has
committed to sign an order that directs the federal agency to
swiftly implement the law giving Americans with disabilities the
ability to choose their own support services and maintain their
health benefits when they return to work.
* Full Enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Technical assistance will be provided to promote ADA compliance
and to help small businesses hire more people with disabilities.
The Administration will also promote the Disabled Access Credit,
an incentive program created in 1990 to assist small businesses
comply with the Act.
* Innovative Transportation Solutions. Accessible transportation can
be a particularly difficult barrier for Americans with
disabilities entering the workforce. Funding will be provided for
10 pilot programs that use innovative approaches to developing
transportation plans that serve people with disabilities. The
Administration will also establish a competitive matching grant
program to promote access to alternative methods of transportation
through community-based and other providers.
Promoting Full Access to Community Life:
* Promote Homeownership for People with Disabilities. Congress
recently passed the "American Homeownership and Economic
Opportunity Act of 2000," which will permit recipients with
disabilities to use up to a year's worth of vouchers to finance
the down payment on a home. The Administration will work to
swiftly implement the recently enacted law.
* Swift Implementation of the Olmstead Decision. President Bush has
committed to sign an order supporting the most integrated
community-based settings for individuals with disabilities, in
accordance with the Olmstead decision.
* National Commission on Mental Health. President Bush has committed
to create a National Commission on Mental Health, which will study
and make recommendations for improving America's mental health
service delivery system, including making recommendations on the
availability and delivery of new treatments and technologies for
individuals with severe mental illness.
* Improving Access. Federal matching funds will be provided annually
to increase the accessibility of organizations that are currently
exempt from Title III of the ADA, such as churches, mosques,
synagogues, and civic organizations. The Administration also
supports improving access to polling places and ballot secrecy for
people with disabilities.
Increasing Access to Assistive and Universally Designed Technologies
(Title I)
Overview
The Administration's commitment to increase access to assistive and
universally designed technologies is based upon the principle that
every American must have the opportunity to participate fully in
society. In the global new economy, America must draw on the talents
and creativity of all its citizens.
Assistive and universally designed technologies can be a powerful tool
for millions of Americans with disabilities, dramatically improving
one's quality of life and ability to engage in productive work. New
technologies are opening opportunities for even those with the most
severe disabilities. For example, some individuals with quadriplegia
can now operate computers by the glance of an eye. As the National
Council on Disability (NCD) has stated, "for Americans without
disabilities, technology makes things easier. For Americans with
disabilities, technology makes things possible."
Unfortunately, assistive and universally designed technologies are
often prohibitively expensive. In addition, innovation is being
hampered by insufficient Federal funding for and coordination of
assistive technology research and development programs.
The New Freedom Initiative will help ensure that Americans with
disabilities can access the best technologies of today and that even
better technologies will be available in the future. At the core of
this effort are proposals that reinvigorate the Federal investment in
assistive technologies; improve Federal collaboration and promote
private-public partnerships; and increase access to this technology
for people with disabilities.
Summary of Proposals
Increases Federal Investment in Assistive Technology Research and
Development:
Rehabilitative Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) are recognized as
conducting some of the most innovative and high impact assistive
technology research in the Federal Government. The 15 RERCs are housed
in universities and other non-profit institutions around the country
and focus on a specific area of research - for example, information
technology access, prosthetics and orthotics, and technology for
children with orthopedic disabilities. To advance research
specifically targeted to the disabilities community, the
Administration will significantly increase funding for the RERCs.
Improves Coordination of the Federal Assistive Technology Research and
Development Program:
There is no effective coordinating body for assistive technology
research and development within the Federal Government. While the
Interagency Committee on Disabilities Research (ICDR) was designed to
coordinate the Federal effort, it has no real authority and has no
budget. The Administration will provide new funding to the ICDR so
that it can prioritize the immediate assistive and universally
designed technology needs in the disability community, as well as
foster collaborative projects between the Federal laboratories and the
private sector.
Promotes Private-Public Partnerships:
There are nearly 2,500 companies working to bring new assistive
technologies to market. Many small businesses, however, cannot make
the necessary capital investments until they have information
concerning the market for a particular assistive technology. To help
these businesses bring assistive technologies to market, the
Administration will establish an "Assistive Technology Development
Fund." Housed under the ICDR, the fund will help underwrite technology
demonstration, testing, validation and market assessment to meet
specific needs of small businesses so that they can better serve the
needs of people with disabilities.
Increases Access to Assistive Technology:
Assistive technology is often prohibitively expensive. For example,
personal computers configured with assistive technology can cost
anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000. The Administration will significantly
increase Federal funding for low-interest loans to purchase assistive
technology. These grants will go to a state agency in collaboration
with banks or non-profit groups to guarantee loans and lower interest
rates.
Expanding Educational Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities
(Title II)
Overview
Education is the key to independent living and a high quality of life.
Unfortunately, one in five adults with disabilities has not graduated
from high school, compared to less than one of ten adults without
disabilities. The Administration will expand access to quality
education for Americans with disabilities.
Originally passed by Congress in 1975, the Individuals with
Disabilities Act, or IDEA, ensures that children with disabilities
would have a free public education that would meet their unique needs.
The Administration will increase educational opportunity for children
with disabilities by working with Congress to give states increased
IDEA funds. This will help meet the needs of students with
disabilities and free up additional resources for education at the
local level.
Summary of Proposals
Increases Funding for Special Education. In return for participating
in a new system of flexibility and accountability in the use of
Federal education funds, states will receive an increase in IDEA funds
for education at the local level and help in meeting the special needs
of students with disabilities.
Establishes the "Reading First" Program. President Bush will increase
Federal funding to students, including those with disabilities, by
creating an incentive fund for states to teach every child to read by
third grade. States that choose to draw from this fund will be
required to initiate, among other requirements: a reading diagnostic
test for students in K-2 to determine where students need help; a
research-based reading curriculum; training for K-2 teachers in
reading preparation; and intervention for students who are not reading
at grade level in K-2.
Supplements Reading First with an Early Childhood Reading Initiative.
States participating in the Reading First program will have the option
to receive "Early Reading First" funding to implement research-based
reading programs in existing pre-school programs and Head Start
programs that feed into participating elementary schools. The purpose
of this program is to illustrate on a larger scale recent research
findings that children taught pre-reading and math skills in
pre-school enter school ready to learn reading and mathematics.
Promoting Homeownership for Americans with Disabilities
(Title III)
Overview
Homeownership has always been at the heart of the "American dream."
This past year, Congress passed the "American Homeownership and
Economic Opportunity Act of 2000," which reforms Federal rental
assistance to give individuals who qualify the opportunity to purchase
a home.
Rental assistance for low-income Americans, including those with
disabilities, is provided by a program known as Section 8 of the
Housing Act of 1937, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD). Residents are provided Section 8 vouchers
so that they can afford rental payments for public housing. And many
of those Section 8 vouchers go to individuals with disabilities.
In addition to increasing independence, homeownership also promotes
savings. Mortgage payments, unlike rental payments, help build net
worth because a portion of the payment goes toward building equity. In
turn, as one's home equity increases, it becomes easier to finance
other purchases such as a computer or further education.
Summary of Action
Implementation of the Section 8 Program to Allow Recipients to Apply
Their Rental Vouchers to Homeownership:
The Administration will implement Public Law 106-569, which allows
local Public Housing Authorities to provide recipients of Section 8
vouchers who have disabilities with up to a year's worth of vouchers
in a lump-sum payment to finance the down payment on a home.
Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce
Title IV
(Part A: Promoting Telework)
Overview
Americans with disabilities should have every freedom to pursue
careers, integrate into the workforce, and participate as full members
in the economic marketplace.
The New Freedom Initiative will help tear down barriers to the
workplace, and help promote full access and integration.
Computer technology and the Internet have tremendous potential to
broaden the lives and increase the independence of people with
disabilities. Nearly half of people with disabilities say the Internet
has significantly improved their quality of life, compared to 27
percent of people without disabilities.
The computer and Internet revolution has not reached as many people
with disabilities as the population without disabilities. Only 25% of
people with disabilities own a computer, compared with 66% of U.S.
adults. And only 20% of people with disabilities have access to the
Internet, compared to over 40% of U.S. adults.
The primary barrier to wider access is cost. Computers with adaptive
technology can cost as much as $20,000, which is prohibitively
expensive for many individuals. And the median income of Americans
with disabilities is far below the national average.
The New Freedom Initiative will expand the avenue of teleworking, so
that individuals with mobility impairments can work from their homes
if they choose.
Summary of Proposals
Creates the "Access to Telework" Fund. Federal matching funds will be
provided annually to states to guarantee low-income loans for people
with disabilities to purchase equipment to telecommute from home.
Makes a Company's Contribution of Computer and Internet Access for
Home Use by Employees with Disabilities a Tax-Free Benefit. The
Administration will encourage businesses to give computers and
Internet access to employees with disabilities by making it explicit
that this provision is a tax-free benefit. By making this benefit tax
free to employees, the proposal will encourage more employers to
provide computer equipment and Internet access, and employees will
have greater options to take advantage of this flexibility for
teleworking. For individuals with disabilities, this flexibility will
expand the universe of potential and accessible employment.
Prohibits OSHA from Regulating "Home Office" Standards. In November
1999, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) issued an 8-page response to an employer inquiry
asserting that it had the power to regulate home office standards and
hold employers responsible if those standards were not met. This
proposal would have had a chilling effect on teleworking, as employers
would seek to avoid potential liabilities. Although OSHA has since
withdrawn the response, it has not yet foreclosed future action. The
proposal will amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to
prohibit OSHA from being applied to the home worksites of employees
who work at home through the use of "telephone, computer or electronic
device."
Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce
(Part B: Ticket-to-Work)
Overview
In 1999, Congress passed the "Ticket-to-Work and Work Incentives
Improvement Act," which will give Americans with disabilities both the
incentive and the means to seek employment.
As part of the New Freedom Initiative, the Administration will ensure
the Act's swift implementation.
Today, there are more than 7.5 million Americans with disabilities
receiving benefits under Federal disability programs. According to a
recent Harris Survey, conducted by the National Organization of
Disability, 72 percent of the Americans with disabilities want to
work. However, in part because of disincentives in Federal law, less
than 1 percent of those receiving disability benefits fully enter the
workforce.
Prior to the "Ticket to Work" law, in order to continue to receive
disability payments and health coverage, recipients could not engage
in any substantial work. The Ticket to Work law, however, provides
incentives for people with disabilities to return to work by:
* Providing Americans with disabilities with a voucher-like "ticket"
that allows them to choose their own support services, including
vocational education programs and rehabilitation services.
* Extending Medicare coverage for SSDI beneficiaries so they can
return to work without the fear of losing health benefits.
* Expanding Medicaid eligibility categories for certain working
people with severe disabilities so that they can continue to
receive benefits after their income or condition improves.
Summary of Action
President Bush Has Committed to Sign an Order to Support Effective and
Swift Implementation of "Ticket to Work". The order will direct the
federal agency to continue to swiftly implement the law giving
Americans with disabilities the ability to choose their own support
services and to maintain their health benefits when they return to
work.
Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce
(Part C: Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act)
Overview
When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on
July 26, 1990, it was the most far reaching law advancing access of
individuals with disabilities, workforce integration, and
independence. The law, signed by President George Bush, gives civil
rights protections to individuals with disabilities that are like
those provided to individuals on the basis of race, sex, national
origin, and religion.
In the eleven years since it was signed, the ADA has worked to
guarantee equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in
employment, public accommodations, transportation, State and local
government services, and telecommunications. The law has been
especially helpful in providing access to jobs, especially in the
small business sector, which has created two-thirds of all net new
jobs since the early 1970s.
To encourage small businesses to comply with the ADA, legislation was
signed into law in 1990 to provide a credit for 50 percent of eligible
expenses up to $5,000 a year. Such eligible expenses include assistive
technologies. Unfortunately, many small businesses are not aware of
this credit.
President George W. Bush believes that the Americans with Disabilities
Act has been an integral component of the movement toward full
integration of individuals with disabilities but recognizes that there
is still much more to be done. He also recognizes that to further
integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce, more needs
to be done to promote ADA compliance.
Summary of Proposals
Supports the ADA and Provides Technical Assistance to Small
Businesses. The President and the Attorney General will ensure full
enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act by the Civil Rights
Division of the Department of Justice. In addition, the New Freedom
Initiative will provide resources annually for technical assistance to
help small businesses comply with the Act, serve customers, and hire
more people with disabilities.
Promotes the Awareness and Utilization of Disabled Access Credit
(DAC). The DAC, created in 1990, is an incentive program to assist
small businesses in complying with the ADA. DAC provides a credit for
50 percent of eligible expenses up to $5,000 a year, including
expenses associated with making their facilities accessible and with
purchasing assistive technologies. Utilization of the credit has been
limited because small businesses are often not aware of it.
Expanding Transportation Options
(Title V)
Overview
Every American should have the opportunity to participate fully in
society and engage in productive work. Unfortunately, millions of
Americans with disabilities are locked out of the workplace because
they are denied the tools and access necessary for success.
Transportation can be a particularly difficult barrier to work for
Americans with disabilities. In 1997, the Director of Project Action
stated that "access to transportation is often the critical factor in
obtaining employment for the nation's 25 million transit dependent
people with disabilities." Today, the lack of adequate transportation
remains a primary barrier to work for people with disabilities:
one-third of people with disabilities report that inadequate
transportation is a significant problem.
Through formula grant programs and the enforcement of the ADA, the
Federal Government has helped make our mass transit systems more
accessible. More must be done, however, to test new transportation
ideas and to increase access to alternate means of transportation,
such as vans with specialty lifts, modified automobiles, and
ride-share programs for those who cannot get to buses or other forms
of mass transit.
On a daily basis, many non-profit groups and businesses are working
hard to help people with disabilities live and work independently.
These organizations often lack the funds to get people with
disabilities to job interviews, to job training, and to work.
The Federal Government should support the development of innovative
transportation initiatives and partner with local organizations to
promote access to alternate methods of transportation.
Summary of Proposals
Promotes innovative transportation solutions for people with
disabilities by funding pilot programs. The proposal provides funding
for 10 pilot programs run by state or local governments in regional,
urban, and rural areas. Pilot programs will be selected on the basis
of the use of innovative approaches to developing transportation plans
that serve people with disabilities. The Administration will work with
Congress to evaluate the effectiveness of these pilot programs and
encourage the expansion of successful initiatives.
Helps create a network of alternate transportation through
community-based and other providers. The proposal will establish a
competitive matching grant program to promote access to alternative
methods of transportation. This dollar-for-dollar matching program
will be open to community-based organizations that seek to integrate
Americans with disabilities into the workforce. The funds will go
toward the purchase and operation of specialty vans, assisting people
with down payments or costs associated with accessible vehicles, and
extending the use of existing transportation resources.
Promoting Full Access to Community Life
Title VI
(Part A: Commitment to Community-Based Care)
Overview
On June 22, 1999, the Supreme Court decided Olmstead v. L.C., ruling
that, in appropriate circumstances, the ADA requires the placement of
persons with disabilities in a community-integrated setting whenever
possible. The Court concluded that "unjustified isolation," e.g.,
institutionalization when a doctor deems community treatment equally
beneficial, "is properly regarded as discrimination based on
disability."
Olmstead has yet to be fully implemented. President Bush believes that
community-based care is critically important to promoting maximum
independence and to integrating individuals with disabilities into
community life.
Summary of Action
President Bush has Committed to Sign an Order Supporting Swift
Implementation of the Olmstead Decision. The order will support the
most integrated community-based settings for individuals with
disabilities, in accordance with the Olmstead decision. The
Administration will pursue swift implementation in a manner that
respects the proper roles of the Federal Government and the several
states.
Promoting Full Access to Community Life
(Part B: Better Coordination of Federal Resources to Address
Mental Health Problems)
Overview
Currently, there are numerous Federal agencies that oversee mental
health policies, funding, laws and programs including: the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National
Institutes of Health, the Health Care Financing Administration, the
Office of Personnel Management, the Social Security Administration,
the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Education, the
Department of Justice, and the Department of Labor.
These Federal agencies are doing valuable work, but they would be much
more effective, efficient, and less duplicative if they were better
coordinated.
With coordination, the competitive advantage of each agency could be
leveraged to provide the most needed and suitable service in the
framework of federal efforts to address mental health.
Summary of Action
President Bush Has Committed to Create a National Commission on Mental
Health. The National Commission will study and make recommendations
for improving America's mental health service delivery system,
including making recommendations on the availability and delivery of
new treatments and technologies for individuals with severe mental
illness.
Promoting Full Access to Community Life
(Part C: Access to the Political Process)
Overview
There are over 35 million voting-age persons with disabilities, but
currently people with disabilities register to vote at a rate that is
16 percentage points less than the rest of the population and vote at
a rate that is 20 percent voters who have no disabilities.
According to the National Organization on Disability, low voter
turnout among people who are disabled is due to both accessibility
problems at voting locations and the lack of secrecy and independence
when voting. The most recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) report
states that at least 20,000 of the Nation's more than 120,000 polling
places are inaccessible to people with disabilities.
President Bush recognizes that full integration into society must
include access to and participation in the political process.
Summary of Proposal
Supports Improving Accessibility to Voting for Americans with
Disabilities. President Bush will support improved access to polling
places and ballot secrecy. He will work with Congress to address the
barriers to voting for Americans with disabilities and to expanding
suffrage for all Americans.
Promoting Full Access to Community Life
(Part D: Access to ADA-Exempt Organizations)
Overview
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 opened
countless businesses and public accommodations to people with
disabilities by mandating that they be made accessible. For
constitutional and other concerns, however, Title III exempts many
civic organizations (such as Rotary and Lions Clubs) and religious
organizations from its requirements of full access.
Americans with disabilities should be fully integrated into their
communities, and civic and religious organizations are vital parts of
those communities. Too many private clubs, churches, synagogues, and
mosques are inaccessible or unwelcoming to people with disabilities.
As a result, people with disabilities are often unable to participate
as fully in community or religious events.
The National Organization on Disability has led a national effort to
make places of worship accessible and welcoming to all Americans. Many
organizations and congregations want to be open to all but have
limited resources to ensure accessibility.
Every effort should be made to ensure that Americans with disabilities
have the opportunity to be integrated into their communities and
welcomed into communities of faith.
Summary of Proposal
Establishes a National Fund to Provide Matching Grants for
Accessibility Renovations for ADA-Exempt Organizations: To assist
private clubs and religious organizations in making sure that their
facilities are fully accessible and to expand access for all, the
proposal provides annual Federal matching grants to ADA-exempt
organizations making renovations or accommodations to improve
accessibility. Because all ADA-exempt organizations will be eligible
for the grants, irrespective of whether they are religious or secular,
they would comport with the Supreme Court's test for constitutional
neutrality.
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