	January 1997

NCD's Report: Achieving Independence Marked the 6th Anniversary of ADA

by Gregg J. Donaldson

About NCD

The National Council on Disability, (NCD), was originally established in 1978, as an advisory board within the Department of Education (Public Law 95-602). Then the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1984 (Public Law 98-221}, transformed it into an independent federal agency. Today, it is led by 15 members appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

The primary overall purpose of the agency "is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity to all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society."

"Achieving Independence:" and its recommendations, are the direct result of NCD's National Summit on Disability Policy, held back in April of this year, in Dallas Texas. The summit was made up of 300 participants, representing a very diverse group of people with disabilities, including Native Americans and young people.

Education

A Unified System

1. The Congress and state governments should mandate a unified system of education and training that will ensure equal physical, programmatic and communication access to all education programs, facilities and related benefits of education for all students while meeting the individual needs of all students, including those with disabilities. The mandate should include a firm timetable for retraining teachers, changing systems, and training parents and students about the new education policies. A single system of education should include the following features: Placements, Teaching, and Curricula."

2. Due Process Protections: "The Congress, and the Federal Government should ensure that current due process protections for students under IDEA are not weakened and that they are fully enforced."

Technology In Education

3."The Congress, the Secretary of Education, state education agencies and educational organizations should promote the maximal use of modern technology in education by:

I. Requiring training in the availability and use of assistive technology (both equipment and software) as a part of teacher education programs, both inservice and preservice;

II. Requiring that the individualized educational plan for each student with a disability address the need for assistive technology at school and at home as a part of the educational program;

III. Requiring that schools notify students with disabilities and their parents of assistive technology and technology funding options available for educational programs;

IV. Maximizing the use of technology to promote participation by all students in the learning process;

V. Ensuring adequate funding for assistive technology."

Other topics in this section include: Accountability, Accessibility of Schools, Postsecondary Education and Career Planning.

Technology

The key recommendation is universal design. "The President, the Congress and the private sector should develop initiatives to promote universal design through a combination of incentives, legislation, enforcement and research," (which would promote and/or enhance)

The creation of more universally designed/ accessible products, systems, practices and environments leading to the employment of people with disabilities;
Support of research funding for interested industries,
Establish an information clearinghouse, among many other items.

For more information on the report, write: National Council on Disability, 1331 F. Street, N.W., Suite 1050, Washington, D.C. 20004-1107. Or call: 202-272-2004 Voice, 202-272-2074 TTD. You may also visit their website by clicking here.


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