ACF Office of Public Affairs (OPA): Fact Sheet - The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID)

The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID)

MISSION STATEMENT
The PCPID was established to advise the President of the United States on national issues pertaining to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. As part of its advisory function, the PCPID submits a report to the president which includes recommendations for his consideration that affect people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The PCPID works to promote the following:
• supporting the full citizenship rights of people with intellectual disabilities
• encouraging the provision of all necessary services and supports for individuals and families
• upholding the reduction of the occurrence and severity of intellectual disabilities
• promoting the dissemination of information on models, programs and services within the field of intellectual disabilities.

MAJOR GOAL
It is the purpose of the PCPID to advise the president on the achievements, continuing needs and emerging issues in the field of intellectual disabilities. The committee highlights the need for appropriate changes and encourages research, education and services and supports relating to people with intellectual disabilities.

The Role of PCPID
The PCPID acts in an advisory capacity to the president and the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on matters relating to programs and services for persons with intellectual disabilities with respect to the following areas:

Evaluating and monitoring the national effort to establish appropriate policies and supports for people with intellectual disabilities
Providing a liaison between people with intellectual disabilities and the Federal, State and local governments, foundations, non-profit organizations, other private organizations and citizens
Providing information on reducing the incidence and severity of intellectual disabilities
Promoting community participation and support groups for citizens with intellectual disabilities.

Composition of PCPID
The Committee consists of 21 citizen members appointed by the president who represent a broad spectrum of experience, perspectives and expertise on intellectual disabilities, including parents, family members, self-advocates, State and community leaders, professionals in the field of intellectual disabilities, leaders in various advocacy movements and representatives of national organizations associated with people with intellectual disabilities.

The committee also consists of 13 ex officio members designated by the president:

The Secretary of Health and Human Services
The Secretary of Education
The Attorney General
The Secretary of Labor
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
The Secretary of Commerce
The Secretary of Transportation
The Secretary of the Interior
The Secretary of Homeland Security
The President and CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The Chair of the National Council on Disabilities
The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

The president selects the chair of the PCPID from the 21 citizen members. The chair advises and counsels the committee and represents the committee on appropriate occasions.

The PCPID meets up to four times a year and reports its findings to the President of the United States, in accordance with the President's Executive Order.

Special Initiatives by the PCPID
In 2003, it was recommended to the President of the United States to change the name of the President’s Committee on Mental Retardation to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities as part of the 13th annual celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This change became effective when President George W. Bush amended Executive Order 12994 on July 25, 2003.

Preparation of a brochure designed for people with intellectual disabilities to accompany the report to the president. The brochure highlights in appropriate language the major categories of recommendations submitted to the president and includes numerous pictures of people with intellectual disabilities representing major racial and cultural groups.

CONTACT INFORMATION

President's Committee on People with Intellectual Disabilities
Administration for Children and Families
Aerospace Center, Suite 701
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW
Washington, DC 20447
Phone: 202.619.0634
FAX: 202.205.9519
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Updated August 2004
Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

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