South Lawn

6:26 P.M. EDT 
     THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Good evening, everybody.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Well, we have a gorgeous day to celebrate an extraordinary event in the life of this nation.  Welcome, all of you, to our White House.  And thank you, Robert, for the wonderful introduction.  It is a pleasure and honor to be with all of you on the 20th anniversary of one of the most comprehensive civil rights bills in the history of this country — the Americans with Disabilities Act.  (Applause.)
 
I see so many champions of this law here today.  I wish I had time to acknowledge each and every one of you.  I want to thank all of you.  But I also want to thank our Cabinet Secretaries and the members of my administration here today who are working to advance the goals of the ADA so that it is not just the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law, that’s being applied all across this country.  (Applause.)
 
I want to thank the members of Congress in attendance who fought to make ADA possible and to keep improving it throughout the years.  (Applause.)  I want to acknowledge Dick Thornburgh, who worked hard to make this happen as Attorney General under President George H.W. Bush.  (Applause.)
 
And by the way, I had a chance to speak to President Bush before I came out here, and he sends heartfelt regards to all of you.  And it’s — he’s extraordinarily proud of the law that was passed.  He was very humble about his own role, but I think it’s worth acknowledging the great work that he did.  (Applause.)
 
We also remember those we’ve lost who helped make this law possible — like our old friend, Ted Kennedy.  (Applause.)  And I see Patrick here.  And Justin Dart, Jr., a man folks call the father of the ADA — whose wife Yoshiko, is here.  (Applause.)  Yoshiko, so nice to see you.  (Applause.)
 
I also notice that Elizabeth Dole is here, and I had a chance to speak to Bob Dole, as well, and thank him for the extraordinary role that he played in advancing this legislation.  (Applause.)
 
Let me also say that Congressman Jim Langevin wanted to be here today, but he’s currently presiding over the House chamber — the first time in our history somebody using a wheelchair has done so.  (Applause.)
 
Today, as we commemorate what the ADA accomplished, we celebrate who the ADA was all about.  It was about the young girl in Washington State who just wanted to see a movie at her hometown theater, but was turned away because she had cerebral palsy; or the young man in Indiana who showed up at a worksite, able to do the work, excited for the opportunity, but was turned away and called a cripple because of a minor disability he had already trained himself to work with; or the student in California who was eager and able to attend the college of his dreams, and refused to let the iron grip of polio keep him from the classroom — each of whom became integral to this cause.
 
And it was about all of you.  You understand these stories because you or someone you loved lived them.  And that sparked a movement.  It began when Americans no longer saw their own disabilities as a barrier to their success, and set out to tear down the physical and social barriers that were.  It grew when you realized you weren’t alone.  It became a massive wave of bottom-up change that swept across the country as you refused to accept the world as it was.  And when you were told, no, don’t try, you can’the — you responded with that age-old American creed:  Yes, we can.  (Applause.) 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, we can!  
Sit-ins in San Francisco.  Demonstrations in Denver.  Protests in Washington, D.C., at Gallaudet, and before Congress.  People marched, and organized, and testified.  And laws changed, and minds changed, and progress was won.  (Applause.)  
 
Now, that’s not to say it was easy.  You didn’t always have folks in Washington to fight on your behalf.  And when you did, they weren’t as powerful, as well-connected, as well-funded as the lobbyists who lined up to kill any attempt at change.  And at first, you might have thought, what does anyone in Washington know or care about my battle?  But what you knew from your own experience is that disability touches us all.  If one in six Americans has a disability, then odds are the rest of us love somebody with a disability.
 
I was telling a story to a group that was in the Oval Office before I came out here about Michelle’s father who had MS.  By the time I met him, he had to use two canes just to walk.  He was stricken with MS when he was 30 years old, but he never missed a day of work; had to wake up an hour early to get dressed – 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  So what. 
THE PRESIDENT:  — to get to the job, but that was his attitude — so what.  He could do it.  Didn’t miss a dance recital.  Did not miss a ball game of his son.  Everybody has got a story like that somewhere in their family.
 
And that’s how you rallied an unlikely assortment of leaders in Congress and in the White House to the cause.  Congressmen like Steny Hoyer, who knew his wife Judy’s battle with epilepsy; and Tony Coehlo, who waged his own; and Jim Sensenbrenner, whose wife, Cheryl, is a tremendous leader and advocate for the community.  And they’re both here today.  (Applause.)
 
Senators like Tom Harkin, who’s here today, and who signed — (applause) — who signed part of a speech on the ADA so his deaf brother, Frank, would understand.  And Ted Kennedy, whose sister had a severe intellectual disability and whose son lost a leg to cancer.  And Bob Dole, who was wounded serving heroically in World War II.  Senior officials in the White House, and even the President himself.
 
They understood this injustice from the depths of their own experience.  They also understood that by allowing this injustice to stand, we were depriving of our nation — we were depriving our nation and our economy of the full talents and contributions of tens of millions of Americans with disabilities.
 
That is how the ADA came to be, when, to his enduring credit, President George H.W. Bush signed it into law, on this lawn, on this day, 20 years ago.  That’s how you changed America.  (Applause.)
 
Equal access — to the classroom, the workplace, and the transportation required to get there.  Equal opportunity — to live full and independent lives the way we choose.  Not dependence — but independence.  That’s what the ADA was all about.  (Applause.)
 
But while it was a historic milestone in the journey to equality, it wasn’t the end.  There was, and is, more to do.  And that’s why today I’m announcing one of the most important updates to the ADA since its original enactment in 1991.
 
Today, the Department of Justice is publishing two new rules protecting disability-based discrimination — or prohibiting disability-based discrimination by more than 80,000 state and local government entities, and 7 million private businesses.  (Applause.)  And beginning 18 months from now, all new buildings must be constructed in a way that’s compliant with the new 2010 standards for the design of doors and windows and elevators and bathrooms — (applause) — buildings like stores and restaurants and schools and stadiums and hospitals and hotels and theaters.  (Applause.)
 
My predecessor’s administration proposed these rules six years ago.  And in those six years, they’ve been improved upon with more than 4,000 comments from the public.  We’ve heard from all sides.  And that’s allowed us to do this in a way that makes sense economically and allows appropriate flexibility while ensuring Americans with disabilities full participation in our society.
 
And for the very first time, these rules will cover recreational facilities like amusement parks and marinas and gyms and golf facilities and swimming pools — (applause) — and municipal facilities like courtrooms and prisons.  (Applause.)  From now on, businesses must follow practices that allow individuals with disabilities an equal chance to purchase tickets for accessible seating at sporting events and concerts.  (Applause.)
 
And our work goes on.  Even as we speak, Attorney General Eric Holder is preparing new rules to ensure accessibility of websites.  (Applause.) 
AUDIENCE:  Yes, we can.
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, we can. 
We’re also placing a new focus on hiring Americans with disabilities across the federal government.  (Applause.)  Today, only 5 percent of the federal workforce is made up of Americans with disabilities — far below the proportion of Americans with disabilities in the general population.  In a few moments, I’ll sign an executive order that will establish the federal government as a model employer of individuals with disabilities.  (Applause.)  So we’re going to boost recruitment, we’re going to boost training, we’re going to boost retention.  We’ll better train hiring managers.  Each agency will have a senior official who’s accountable for achieving the goals we’ve set.  And I expect regular reports.  And we’re going to post our progress online so that you can hold us accountable, too.  (Applause.)
 
And these new steps build on the progress my administration has already made. 
To see it that no one who signs up to fight for our country is ever excluded from its promise, we’ve made major investments in improving the care and treatment for our wounded warriors.  (Applause.)  To ensure full access to participation in our democracy and our economy, we’re working to make all government websites accessible to persons with disabilities.  (Applause.)
 
We’re expanding broadband Internet access to Americans who are deaf and hard of hearing.  We’ve followed through with a promise I made to create three new disability offices at the State Department and Department of Transportation and at FEMA.
 
And to promote equal rights across the globe, the United States of America joined 140 other nations in signing the U.N.  Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities — the first new human rights convention of the 21st century.  (Applause.)
 
America was the first nation on Earth to comprehensively declare equality for its citizens with disabilities.  We should join the rest of the world to declare it again — and when I submit our ratification package to Congress, I expect passage to be swift.  (Applause.)
 
And to advance the right to live independently, I launched the Year of Community Living, on the 10th anniversary of the Olmstead decision — a decision that declared the involuntary institutional isolation of people with disabilities unlawful discrimination under the ADA.  (Applause.)
 
So HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan have worked together to improve access to affordable housing and community supports and independent living arrangements for people with disabilities.  And we continued a program that successfully helps people with disabilities transition to the community of their choice.  (Applause.)  And I’m proud of the work that the Department of Justice is doing to enforce Olmstead across the country.
 
And we’ve finally broken down one discriminatory barrier that the ADA left in place.  Because for too long, our health care system denied coverage to tens of millions of Americans with preexisting conditions — including Americans with disabilities.  It was time to change that.  And we did.  Yes, we did.  (Applause.)
 
So the Affordable Care Act I signed into law four months ago will give every American more control over their health care -– and it will do more to give Americans with disabilities control over their own lives than any legislation since the ADA.  I know many of you know the frustration of fighting with an insurance company.  That’s why this law finally shifts the balance of power from them to you and to other consumers.  (Applause.)
 
No more denying coverage to children based on a preexisting condition or disability.  No more lifetime limits on coverage.  No more dropping your coverage when you get sick and need it the most because your insurance company found an unintentional error in your paperwork.  (Applause.)  And because Americans with disabilities are living longer and more independently, this law will establish better long-term care choices for Americans with disabilities as a consequence of the CLASS Act, an idea Ted Kennedy championed for years.  (Applause.)
 
Equal access.  Equal opportunity.  The freedom to make our lives what we will.  These aren’t principles that belong to any one group or any one political party.  They are common principles.  They are American principles.  No matter who we are — young, old, rich, poor, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled or not — these are the principles we cherish as citizens of the United States of America.  (Applause.)
 
They were guaranteed to us in our founding documents.  One of the signers of those documents was a man named Stephen Hopkins.  He was a patriot, a scholar, a nine-time governor of Rhode Island.  It’s also said he had a form of palsy.  And on July 4, 1776, as he grasped his pen to sign his name to the Declaration of Independence, he said, “My hand trembles.  But my heart does not.”  My hand trembles.  But my heart does not.
 
Life, liberty,  the pursuit of happiness.  Words that began our never-ending journey to form a more perfect union.  To look out for one another.  To advance opportunity and prosperity for all of our people.  To constantly expand the meaning of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness.  To move America forward.  That’s what we did with the ADA.  That is what we do today.  And that’s what we’re going to do tomorrow — together.
 
So, thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  Let me sign this order.  (Applause.)
                                     END                          6:44 P.M. EDT

The Obama administration’s blueprint to overhaul the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) will support state and local efforts to help ensure that all students graduate prepared for college and a career.  Following the lead of the nation’s governors and state education leaders, the plan will ask states to ensure that their academic standards prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace, and to create accountability systems that recognize student growth and school progress toward meeting that goal. This will be a key priority in the reform of NCLB, which was signed into law in 2002 and is the most recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).

Federal law requires that the IEP have a statement describing how the child’s progress will be measured.

      An important reason for making sure your child’s IEP goals and objectives are measurable is to hold the school accountable for how they are working with your child. It is very difficult to establish that the child has not made progress with vague wording. When the goals are specific, observable and measurable, the parents have a system of keeping up with their child’s progress. The IEP must also list how the child’s parents will be informed of their child’s progress toward the annual goals. Use this checklist to build a good IEP for your child.

I.E.P. Checklist:

·         You have a copy of all evaluations and other related documents prior to the IEP

·         Evaluation data was discussed. Was the data for the following areas written: academic skills, nonacademic skills, communication skills, social/behavior skills, assistive technology

·         Measurable and observable annual goals

·         Measurable short-term objectives or benchmarks were written. Goals and objectives were based on your child’s individual educational needs. A method for measuring your child’s progress (at least as often as nondisabled peers) was established.

·         A target date for the completion of each objective was established.

·         A statement described the special education and related services to be provided.

·         Modifications, and supplementary aids and services were specified (so your child can participate in the general curriculum with his/her nondisabled peers).

·         Time your child will receive each instructional service and related service was noted. This includes minutes per session and frequency of sessions. This also includes related aids the

·         teacher will need to enable the child to participate in the general curriculum.

·         Date when all services will begin was established.

·         Person responsible for implementing each service in the IEP was identified.

·         Placement was based on goals, objectives, supplementary aids and services.

·         A statement describing how your child will be educated and participate with other children with and without disabilities.

·         Your child’s participation in statewide testing was clarified. Transition, if appropriate, was discussed.

·         Get a signed copy of the IEP minutes prior to leaving the meeting.                 

If you have not every taken the time the read the Procedural Safeguards or if has been a while since you last read it, please read it.  It contains a wealth of information parents need to maintain a clear understanding of what your rights are as parent and the rights of your child.  This equals EMPOWERMENT!

Visit ed.gov or tea.gov for all the latest in education information

Special Kids, Inc. Community Parent Resource Center is looking for stories from families about their struggles and victories.  If you are interested in telling us your story email Helen Davis at hdavis.speckids@yahoo.com.

The Agnes Johnson Community Tech Center is available to children with or without disabilities, parents and members of the community in Southeast Houston near and around Reliant Park.  The Tech Center provides access to the Internet, fax machine, light coping, resume writing, and homework assistance.   Tech Center hours are  Mondays and Wednesdays from 1o am to 2pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 7 pm.  Closed on Fridays Contact Quisa Johnson: Office Manager at 713.734.5355.

SKI in partnership with a variety of community agencies provides FREE training classes for parents, foster parents , guardians,A and caregivers of children with disabilites.  We also provide low cost training for professionals.  Here is a list of trainings  that SKI  provided in 2009:

• What’s New with IDEA and NCLB
• Bullying In Public Schools
• Positive Behavior Support
• Understanding Procedural Safeguards
• Transition; Building Capacity

The training schedule for 2010 is in progress and will be posted as the dates become available.

        UPCOMING TRAININGS:

• January 29, 2010 ” So! My Child Has Special Needs!” and “A is for Advocacy”   Location: Moody Gardens Spa and Convention Center, Galveston, TX. 77554  Time : 10 AM to 4PM.     

Here are some regular parent meetings that also provide information and support to our families.

Family Support Meetings are every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 7 to 8pm at the SKI office, 2600 S. Loop W., Houston, TX, 77054.  If you plan to attend this meeting call the SKI office at 713-734-5355  by Monday of the 2nd week to RSVP.

SKI in Public Schools (SIPS): This family support meeting and mini training sessions are held in public schools throughout the city. 

 The next meeting dates:

~To be announced~

Many, many thanks to our private sponsors for your support of our SKI programs.  You really make a difference and we cannot thank you enough! 

We realize that it is a special effort to support our work and we want you to know we really appreciate what you do for families of children with disabilities in our community.

We’ve got wonderful and exciting news!

The Community Parent Resource Center grant was approved for funding by the Dept. of Special Ed for 2008-2011. We have been awarded $100,000 to service families of children with disabilities in Houston and surrounding areas.

A special thanks to Congressmen Gene Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Nick Lampson, Congresswoman Kay Bailey Hutchison, Congressman Al Green, State Rep. Garnet Coleman, Senators, Mayor Bill and City of Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, White, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center, Houston Independent School District, Partners Resource Network, Inc, Pacer Center, and last but certainly not least the Beach Center.   Your support was instrumental in allowing us to continue working with families of children with disabilities in our community.  THANK YOU!!!