Mr. Chairman, I had the privilege of making a statement at the General Assembly of the United Nations on the occasion of their adopting the resolution for the Decade of Disabled Persons and the world program of action. With your permission, since it is indeed pertinent to what we are about here today, I would like to submit it for the record.

I believe the Decade for Disabled Persons can be a beacon of hope for mankind.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. YATRON. Without objection, we will include it in the record. And we thank you, Mr. Reich, for a very outstanding statement. [The material referred to follows:]

TEXT OF SPEECH GIVEN BY ALAN A. REICH AT THE U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY URGING THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION ON THE U.N. DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS, WHICH APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, DECEMBER 7, 1982

Mr. President and distinguished delegates: Thanks to you, fully one-half billion disabled persons of the world now can look forward to a brighter future. The UN, by proclaming the 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons, aroused the hopes and aspirations of this significant segment of humanity. The continuing vision and leadership of the member nations, Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar, the UN Secretariat, the agencies of the UN system, and the Center for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, will have radiating impact reaching people everywhere.

The resolutions you have adopted today for the World Program of Action for Disabled Persons and its implementation resolution, including the Decade of Disabled Persons, are marvelous testimony to your humanitarian concern.

As a disabled person myself, I am well aware that your continuing commitment is raising the world's consciousness in the area of disability. You may not fully appreciate it, but people at the grassroots level truly do benefit from your actions. The best testimony to this effectiveness I can cite is a statement my organization, the National Office on Disability, received from one of our more than one thousand community liaisons. Ms. Lee McCoy of Mobile, Alabama wrote. "As chairman of the Mobile program I request that as you structure your national community program, you thank of the UN Decade of the Disabled as the frontispiece. Local communities need worldwide structures to hang their local programs on effectively. Geneva UN Program Secretariat Assembly, for example, works magic on the local level. With an international scope, working members gain in stature. The higher the source, the greater the local response. With this international base and your national plan, we have a total package to the community," she stated.

In the United States, as in several other nations, the year 1982 was proclaimed the National Year of Disabled Persons to continue the momentum of the IYDP. President Reagan and the United States Congress issued proclamations to help maintain the public focus on disability issues and secure the support for the programs of organizations committed to improving the lives of disabled Americans. Governors, mayors, and county officials throughout the country have provided leadership for these voluntary, self-help initiatives in States and communities. Most importantly, many thousands of citizens, both disabled and non-disabled, have joined in a partnership effort to continue what was started during the IYDP. A new era of economic restraint and budget reductions has made these local private initiatives more important than ever.

An outgrowth of the IYDP was the formation of the National Office on Disability, a permanent, private, non-governmental organization. Its purpose is to continue the momentum you have started. It is building on the solid progress achieved during the international year, supporting community level action of and for 35 million Americans with disabilities.

The continuing worldwide response to the IYDP challenge has been significant. More than 130 nations formed national commissions and carried out programs. The IYDP secretariat in Vienna, under the able direction of Assistant Secretary General Mrs. Leticia Shahani, is spearheading efforts to continue this momentum and has established a UN trust fund for disabled persons. It has great potential, especially for disabled persons in developing nations. An international organization made up entirely of disabled members, Disabled Persons International, has had its first meeting in Singapore. It serves as a conscience for the disabled throughout the world.

The World Program of Action, which you have adopted today, is the culmination of three years of careful work. This fine document offers great promise and opportunity for all mankind, disabled and non-disabled alike. It will enhance efforts aimed at participation of disabled persons and prevention programs, with enormous humanitarian and economic benefit.

We also are excited about your action today on the Decade of Disabled Persons. Support in the United States for the decade idea has been overwhelming. It will, indeed, help stimulate interest and awaken concern worldwide. It provides the necessary framework for national action.

But, we would not do justice to your initiative and leadership if we did not also recognize another important contribution of your work. By focusing world-wide attention on disabled people, the United Nations has opened an important area of transnational communication across political boundaries on common problems affecting all peoples. This communication will continue. It will further international cooperation and improve the climate for resolving other differences peaceably. Interactions among nations in the area of disability and the worldwide exchanges of information and people will contribute to this climate of peace and cooperation. I am reminded of the words inscribed here at the entrance of the United Nations, “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed." The decade of disabled persons is an idea born in the minds of men which is helping to build the human foundations for the structure of peace. These two results of your actions-new commitment to improving the human condition and opening a new area of transnational communication—are inspirational testimony to the moral force of the United Nations. Voluntary response throughout the world to your challenge demonstrates the UN's tremendous capacity to stimulate purposeful action and commitment. With limited funds, the UN has fostered programs with far-reaching implications in all countries.

The IYDP success is not in what was done, but in what was started. By focusing attention over the long-term on the serious problems of disability, the United Nations has created the opportunity. But the opportunity must be seized. This is a challenge to us all.

And, let us no longer question the value of focal year and decade observances. They demonstrate that the UN can unleash tremendous human and organizational potential. As we look ahead to another signal year-the bimillennium in the year 2000-the continuing response you have aroused will be a beacon of hope. The bimillennium will inspire the setting and pursuit of high goals for improving the human condition for all mankind.

I urge you, distinguished member nation representatives and the world community, to intensify your efforts to improve the lives of the one-half billion people with disabilities. By challenging the world and by taking on this responsibility, you have become champions of the disabled. We need you as partners. We need your vision and leadership. We need your continuing concern, compassion and commitment. You are giving us opportunity. You are inspiring hope. Let's keep up momentum. Together we can make our planets more livable!

Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. YATRON. Before we go on to the next gentleman, we would like to take a minute or two break to give our reporter a chance to catch her breath.

[A brief recess was taken.]

Mr. YATRON. Our final panel member is the Honorable Peter Aldridge, mayor of Wethersfield, Conn. Mayor, congratulations on your city being selected as the 1st prize winner in the 1982 community partnership disability awards program.

Mayor Aldridge, we welcome your testimony, sir. We welcome you here today.

STATEMENT OF HON. PETER ALDRIDGE, MAYOR,

WETHERSFIELD, CONN.

Mr. ALDRIDGE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for the invitation to come down here, Congressman.

As we tried to develop our testimony back in Wethersfield, Conn., I spoke to many of the community leaders who were active

ly involved with the handicapped program in town. We decided that the best angle of testimony would be to talk about specific activities which have occurred on the community level.

Dr. Spenser outlined the conceptual program for the handicapped for the decade. I think it is important that we move from the broad spectrum outlined to specific activities that translate into action for the handicapped.

Although every community has handicapped citizens, most people think of them only in terms of physical impairments. Yet there are people with handicaps which are much less obvious. We now recognize that many handicaps that are not visible, such as respiratory, allergic, mental, and emotional disabilities, may cause as_much hardship or more than those which are readily apparent. In order to develop a program which provides for the handicapped, all forms of handicaps must be included, those readily seen as well as the hidden handicaps. Since each of these impairments reduces human opportunities, our program to aid the handicapped recognizes all who are handicapped and their needs.

The town of Wethersfield's efforts to enhance opportunities for handicapped individuals to lead full and productive lives mirror a community totally involved and dedicated to the kind of barrierfree environment which encourages all citizens to realize their potential.

The comprehensive nature of the town's program, vocalized and catalyzed by the Wethersfield Advisory Committee for the Handicapped, WACH, can only be appreciated when set in historical perspective. More than 20 years ago, the parks and recreation department, in conjunction with the school department, instituted an ongoing summer day camp program providing heavy concentration on motor skills, balancing, swimming and field trips, while furnishing transportation to swimming areas for the perceptually handicapped, and conducting meaningful summer programs for the mentally retarded.

Originally they were transported by the Civitan Club, then the Junior Woman's Club of the community. For the past 8 years, Wethersfield has joined with two neighboring towns in Camp Sunrise, which offers mentally retarded youth an extensive 11-week program of cookouts, overnight trips, field outings, and swimming. In addition, we provide facilities for our Hartford Regional Center to conduct weekly therapeutic swimming programs throughout the winter.

Large print books, as well as talking records for the blind, were introduced to the town library in 1967 and 1968, with initial assistance from the local Lions Club. Library service to shut-ins, begun by the library in the early sixties, provides books to homes and institutions on a semimonthly basis. An information table, with reserved handicapped lounge chairs alongside, furnishes information about handicapped activities.

In 1971, before public accessibility became a national issue, our community development action plan, compiled by more than 300 local volunteers counseled by town staff aides, specified its No. 1 social services goal, "To make all buildings of public accommodation accessible to the physically handicapped, the elderly and the infirm." Since 1971 ramping of sidewalks at all subdivision inter

sections was required. All 900 town intersections have been ramped, using mass transit funds from the urban transportation system.

As part of our personnel practices, we have implemented an "employ" the handicapped program throughout the town, and we have had major successes. The handicapped make exceptional workers. We find they are extremely diligent, extremely anxious to work and to prove their abilities. They have found jobs in the permanent marketplace and they have gained the confidence necessary to compete post-high school education level.

Final impetus was given to our town's total commitment to a barrier-free environment by our Nation's bicentennial celebration. Wethersfield is one of the two oldest towns in Connecticut and wanted to share its past with all Americans. Tours for the handicapped, including "touch and feel" for the blind and deaf, were implemented. A visitors center, specially restored to accommodate the handicapped, was opened.

The Civitan Club built necessary ramps for our historic buildings. The historical society provided a minicourse in sign language. Materials were prepared in braille. The Daughters of the American Revolution, historical society, and antiquarian society made their properties available, and Wethersfield high school athletes volunteered as wheelchair assistants for those who arrived from all over the country. Our project was off and running.

In 1976 we created an Advisory Committee for the Handicapped. It was probably the most important thing we did at the local community. In less than 1 year they developed and the town implemented programs dealing with accessibility, transportation, housing, employment, social and recreational activities. Monthly they issue a handicapped newsletter.

In conjunction with the social services department and volunteers, they conducted a town-wide survey of the handicapped and their needs. It was the number one thing that they did. We felt it was extremely important to understand what we had to do as a community. We had to understand the requirements of the people in the community.

What we found was extensive need for our services and for the committee's services. The committee geared their programs and budgetary requests toward those needs. They did many things.

Based on a complete study of all public buildings by the maintenance division, a comprehensive 3-year program to remove architectural barriers was developed. Much of this work was done through CETA funding, which was the Federal jobs funding program. Finally, we required commercial facilities already constructed to provide accessibility and passed a bond referendum for accessibility to all schools.

Transportation services for the handicapped were implemented by the purchase of two minibuses, again partially funded with donations from local organizations. The committee developed the State of Connecticut specifications for these vehicles.

To aid in communications, a teletype for the deaf was installed in the police division and in the homes of each deaf citizen who requested one. Special seating arrangements were provided in the

council chambers. An adult education course in sign language is oversubscribed every year for its two classes.

An interesting day, called "Be Me for a Day," is held annually where citizens come and become aware of what it is like to be handicapped. A hot line for the handicapped exists in the social services department.

The list goes on and on, Mr. Chairman, and I will not read through it all. Suffice it to say that at the local level there are many, many specific activities that must take place in order to address the needs of the handicapped. Wethersfield has tried to be out in front in many of these occasions.

Many of our programs are dependent not only on community volunteers, but on the donations of private organizations in town and service clubs. Most all, we have to thank Mr. Thomas Lasher, who is chairman of our advisory committee. He has been handicapped for the last 12 years and in spite of that severe handicap he has devoted his life entirely to increasing the level of activity and support for all handicapped. To him we will be eternally grateful.

In summary, where do we go from here? No community can depend exclusively and indefinitely on a nucleus of volunteers or on one man. The time has come to institutionalize the efforts of our tireless citizen workers. We must begin to plan hiring local coordinators who will have responsibility over all activities for the needs of the handicapped, including accessibility, employment, housing, education, and recreation.

I appear before you today, and I would be remiss if I went away without asking for something. We would like to see a demonstration program funded by the Federal Government, particularly to kick off the decade of disabled persons, with the money to provide funds to hire local coordinators for the handicapped services and to implement local objectives.

Include elements that show efforts to work with high school students, training them for specifically identified employment tasks, which we feel is one of the top priorities. This will enhance their opportunities for employment, which is very badly needed. And encourage the development of job banks through local chambers of commerce and industries.

Additional funds are needed for rehabilitation services. We need greater, more intensive staff coverage from departments of vocational rehabilitation. We need employment counselors and wider publicity of what services are available. And of course, we need money for housing, which again is a top priority that transcends just the handicapped issue.

Our town has gone to the well more often than most, but even our source of supply has almost disappeared. We look to you for help. We cannot accomplish further improvements for the disabled on our own. Our past achievements are unique, but local and national needs for the disabled have not decreased.

In a working partnership with you, we can prevail. The fate of millions of potentially productive handicapped citizens lies in your hands. We in local government believe that together we will make this truly the decade of the disabled and, through focused ongoing attention, assist all individuals regardless of impairment to reach their potential.