The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
New Freedom Initiative
On February 1, 2001, President George W. Bush announced his New Freedom Initiative to promote the full integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of American life. The goals of this comprehensive plan include expanding educational and employment opportunities; increasing access to assistive technologies and public accommodations; and providing accessible transportation and housing options for individuals with
disabilities.
The New Freedom Initiative builds upon the progress made by the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (ADA) in protecting the civil rights of approximately 54 million Americans with
disabilities. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has taken a lead role in
implementing the employment goals of the Initiative.
EEOC has implemented a number of activities as part of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, including the following:
- Free workshops
EEOC conducts
free workshops on the ADA for small businesses and individuals with disabilities. These workshops, which include information on tax incentives, community resources, and the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, are aimed at encouraging businesses with 15 to 100 employees to hire individuals with disabilities and assisting individuals who are entering the workforce to understand the ADA.
- Corporate Leadership Conferences
We will work with you to hold a corporate leadership conference to advance the hiring of people with disabilities in your region.
- State Best Practices Project
EEOC has initiated a partnership with several states to promote the hiring of people with disabilities in state government jobs. In addition to reviewing each state's practices with respect to hiring, retention, advancement, and reasonable accommodation, the Commission will provide consultation, outreach and technical assistance to the participating states and issue a report highlighting the best practices that can be used as a model in other states. To date, the governors of the states of Maryland, Vermont, Washington, and Florida have agreed to participate. EEOC expects that additional states will join the project.
In addition, we have developed the following:
EEOC's New Freedom Initiative Outreach:
To learn more about the New Freedom Initiative, see:
This page was last modified on July 28, 2004.
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