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this landmark piece of civil rights legislation which we originally drafted in 1987.

In the ADA, the National Council is directed to conduct a study on wilderness accessibility. Funds were not allocated, however the National Council began looking at this issue with a hearing last August, and we have undertaken a preliminary study in this area. The National Council appreciates the $200,000 this committee appropriated to us to undertake technical assistance activities related to the Americans With Disabilities Act.

ADA WATCH

As this committee knows, a law of the magnitude of this one requires a considerable and sustained technical assistance effort. As the originators of the law, we share with this committee a special commitment to ensuring that the long-overdue promises made by this law become reality in every corner of this country. Toward this end, we have initiated an activity we are calling the "ADA Watch."

The idea of "ADA Watch" came from the human rights watches now functioning now all over the world. These watches monitor human rights on all continents, and they regularly provide information about the status of human rights to the public, frequently testifying before Congress. The Council particularly liked this idea, since there really is no one entity looking over the implementation of the entire law.

As you know, the law is being administered by four different Federal agencies and is in the jurisdiction of five congressional committees, four in the House and one in the Senate. The goal of the watch is to keep a public focus on issues and regularly provide accurate information about those issues. While the traditional human rights watches examine only violations, the "ADA Watch" will examine the entire spectrum of implementation of the law.

The "ADA Watch" will keep a spotlight focused on how ADA is being implemented, especially how it is empowering persons with disabilities. The "ADA Watch" will examine the various ways in which business and industry are implementing the law, with a special focus on the creative solutions which will be generated in various settings. The "ADA Watch" will provide a forum for persons with disabilities to tell their individual stories of the impact the law has had on their lives.

The "ADA Watch" will accomplish these goals by engaging in a series of activities, including site visits, hearings, and discussions with people around the country. The watch will issue reports to the Congress and the President describing our progress in implementation. One of the most significant aspects of a watch is that it is sustained over time. We are told that watches which are attempted in a quick-fix, one-shot fashion are doomed to failure. Sustaining this watch over time will be critical if it is to be effective. We will keep vigil, and we will report on how the country is progressing toward the goals of equal opportunity, full participation, independence, and economic self-sufficiency for persons with disabilities.

PREPARED STATEMENT

Finally, Mr. Chairman, I recall the final Senate debate on ADA when you left all of us greatly moved by your remarks in both speech and sign language. Yours and Senator Hatch's references to relatives with disabilities and the effects of the ADA on their lives serve as testimony to your commitment to Americans with disabilities. We at the National Council appreciate the support of all the members of the subcommittee for their work.

With your continued support, the National Council will continue to pursue vigorously its goals of independence for all Americans with disabilities.

Thank you, and we will be happy to answer your questions. [The statement follows:]

STATEMENT OF SANDRA S. PARRINO

Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the

Subcommittee.

I am Sandra Swift Parrino, Chairperson of the National Council on Disability. Accompanying me today are: John Gannon, Council member from Washington, D.C. John is the Chairperson of the National Council's Health Insurance Committee and Ethel Briggs, Executive Director. I am pleased to come before you today to discuss the current and future activities of the National Council and to solicit your continued support for our agency.

History was made on July 26, 1990, when President Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I would like to thank the Members of this Subcommittee under the leadership of Senator Harkin for their hard work and dedication in support of the ADA. It is because of you, people with disabilities have now begun to live fuller lives lives filled with independence and dignity.

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Disability is proud to have

The National Council on recommended a comprehensive civil rights act for people with disabilities in Toward Independence, our first report to the Congress. We are also aware that the implementation of this Act will require tremendous amounts of time and energy. Sitting here before you today, I can tell you that the National Council on Disability, with your support, will continue making public policy recommendations which will impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

As you are aware, the National Council is an independent federal agency responsible for reviewing all laws, programs, and policies of the Federal Government and making such recommendations as it deems necessary to the President and the Congress. There are several federal agencies that have the responsibility for administering programs which serve children and adults with disabilities. However, the National Council on Disability is the only federal agency mandated by Congress to address, analyze, and make recommendations on all issues of public policy which affect

persons with disabilities.

The National Council is also charged

with reviewing general policies and research priorities of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and for providing guidance to the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

The National Council continues to shape public policy for people with disabilities in education, technology, health, of primary and secondary disabilities, education employment and research.

For

In Fiscal Year 1991, the National Council received $1.475 million to conduct its operations and activities. Fiscal Year 1992, the National Council is requesting $1.642 million to fulfill our Congressional mandate.

I would like to thank the Members of the Subcommittee for making these funds available to us, and ask for your continued support and funding of special initiatives which are identified by the National Council.

Now, I would like to highlight the accomplishments of the National Council on Disability in FY 90, our current plans for FY

ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING FY 90

During FY 1990, the National Council successfully completed a number of important initiatives which positively affected the lives of people with disabilities and their families. They are:

O The National Council on Disability supported the passage and enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L. 101336), which we originated and developed.

O Responded to the needs and concerns of individuals with disabilities by conducting meetings, hearings and forums on issues such as: Social Security and Disincentives to Employment; The Special Problems Facing Persons with

Disabilities and Families Living on Islands Away from the Mainland; Infants at Risk; Employment Tomorrow: Opportunities for People with Disabilities; Wilderness Accessibility; and

the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as

amended.

Initiated studies on: the financing of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities; health insurance and

health-related

services;

and an

assessment of special

education and the impact of elementary and secondary education programs and special services for children with disabilities. O Held four Congressional mandated meetings of the National

Council.

O Signed an Interagency Agreement with Indian Helath Service in

O

order to begin to look at the unique problems of Native Americans with disabilities.

Supported the introduction of the Disabilities Prevention Act of 1990, which had been drafted by the National Council.

O Began planning for the first National Conference on the Prevention of Primary and Secondary Disabilities, which is being sponsored by the National Council, the Centers for Disease Control and the Minority Health Professionals and scheduled for June of 1991 in Atlanta, Georgia.

O Pursuant to its ongoing statutory mandate to establish general policy for, and review the operations of, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), the National Council had meetings with the Director of NIDRR to discuss the continued development of the NIDRR five-year plan and areas of concern to the National Council.

O Mandated in the 1986 Rehabilitation Amendments to establish general policies for the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the National Council met regularly with the President's Committee to fulfill this Congressional requirement.

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Participated in a wide array of interagency committees enabling the National Council to keep abreast of activities in the Federal Government, as well as keeping others informed of the National Council's

activities.

Membership on the

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