John Edwards Unveils Disability Policy Initiative

DAVENPORT, IA: Senator John Edwards today unveiled his "Breaking Down Barriers" initiative, which will target employment help to disabled Americans across the country. Introduced on day three of his "Work Week," Edwards' plan will make it easier for Americans with disabilities to find work in our economy.

"No one should ever be denied the opportunity to work simply because they are disabled," Edwards said. "America is about giving everyone an equal opportunity, and our government has a responsibility to reach out to those in need and give them that extra assistance so they can achieve their dreams."

Edwards believes that our nation will be stronger when all Americans have an opportunity to contribute their skills and talents, and that our nation has an obligation to help people who are able and willing to work find employment.

Currently, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is more than twice that of people without disabilities. One reason for this disparity is that disabled Americans often have difficulty entering the workforce. Edwards' "Breaking Down Barriers" initiative will offer $20 million to enable high school and college students who may not be working today to get work experience.

"Too many Americans face obstacles to finding a job or developing a new skill simply because they have a disability," said Edwards. "I want them to know that they can have the same opportunities that I had. They can get a good education. They can find a job they love, and they can make a lasting contribution to this country."

Edwards' "Breaking Down Barriers" initiative will give students meaningful job experiences by helping high school and college students find internships and entry-level jobs created through partnerships between schools, state support providers, and employers.

The initiative will create positive experiences and break down stereotypes and misconceptions that prevent people with disabilities from getting work.

"I will invest $20 million to help students with disabilities get started in the job market," Edwards said. "We'll make sure internships are available, educate employers, and form strong partnerships between schools and local businesses. A great example of this working is right here in Iowa. Easter Seals has helped 125 people find a job."

To compliment the "Breaking Down Barriers" initiative, Edwards also announced that he will hold the Social Security Administration accountable for implementing its programs that help Americans with disabilities return to work, and will ensure the federal government meets its responsibilities to the disabled, including fully enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act and making the federal government a model employer of people with disabilities.

Today's announcement is one component of Edwards' plan to reverse the loss of 3.2 million private-sector jobs under George W. Bush and to create millions more in his first two years of office. For more information on proposals already unveiled as part of Edwards' "Work Week," visit www.johnedwards2004.com.

A fact sheet on Edwards' "Breaking Down Barriers" initiative is below.

Bringing Down Barriers to Work for Americans with Disabilities
Americans with disabilities are less likely to finish high school and are more likely to be unemployed than other Americans. One out of five adults with disabilities has not graduated from high school, compared to one out of 10 adults without disabilities. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities-people able and wanting to work-is more than twice that of people without disabilities. John Edwards believes that our nation will be stronger when all Americans have an opportunity to contribute their skills and talents. [Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics]

John Edwards offers a plan to give all individuals with disabilities an opportunity to work and build a better life. Under the Edwards plan:

• Students with disabilities will receive the help they need to get started in the job market.
• The Social Security Administration will be held accountable for implementing its programs that help Americans with disabilities return to work.
• The federal government will be a model employer and will fully enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Give Students Meaningful Job Experiences. Edwards will help students with disabilities in high school and college find internships and entry-level jobs. For high-school students, the experience will create a sense of the possibilities in their future and encourage further education. For college students the experience will provide valuable skills and help with finding jobs after graduation.
• Educate Employers and Opening Doors: Breaking Down Barriers will help eliminate stereotypes and misconceptions about people with disabilities that prevent them from getting work. The program will partner with national business leaders to create opportunities for people with disabilities. Employers who have a positive experience will likely be more willing to hire someone with a disability in the future.
• Build Partnerships Between Schools, State Support Providers, and Employers: The Breaking Down Barriers initiative will award competitive grants to local agencies already working with people with disabilities: employment networks, state rehabilitation services agencies, community organizations, and school districts. These agencies will run local Breaking Down Barriers programs, build partnerships with businesses and schools, and recruit and place students.

• Require SSA to Immediately Implement All of Ticket to Work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has still not updated all of its operations to implement Ticket to Work, which is now three years old. For example, according to the General Accounting Office, SSA still has not developed guidance explaining the interaction between Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income on work rules, leaving many recipients in the lurch. Edwards will ensure that all program rules and guidance are consistent with the Ticket to Work law.
• Hold SSA Accountable for Results. Today, there is no way to know if SSA is providing accurate and timely information on work incentive programs. Edwards will set tough performance standards and hold SSA to them.
• Explain Work Incentives to Recipients and Employers. Many Americans with disabilities incorrectly continue to believe that they cannot work without losing their benefits. SSA has thus far only conducted a simplistic outreach campaign that has failed to educate beneficiaries, their families, service providers, and employers. Edwards will offer a vibrant outreach campaign.
• Help States Meet the Needs of People with Disabilities. Edwards' plan to offer budget relief to state governments in these difficult times will help states expand Medicaid coverage, including prescription drugs and personal assistance, to workers withdisabilities. It will also help states meet their obligation to give people with disabilities the choice of care in their communities and homes as well as in institutions.

• Enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act. By increasing accessibility and outlawing discrimination, the ADA promotes the full participation and economic self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities. Edwards is committed to enforcing the ADA and protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities.
• Appoint Judges Who Will Protect Civil Rights. Edwards opposed the court of appeals nomination of Jeffrey Sutton, who led the court fight to limit the rights of people with disabilities. As president, Edwards will nominate judges committed to protecting the rights of all Americans.
• Make the Federal Government into a Model Employer. Edwards will make federal agencies a model for private workplaces by actively recruiting people with disabilities and removing obstacles, including initiatives for telecommuting and flexible work schedules.