"WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY"

	June 17, 1997 John R. Vaughn Commissioner, DRS 8004 Franklin Farms Dr. P.O. Box K-300 Richmond, VA 23288-0300 Dear Commissioner Vaughn: Various Federal and State programs have spent 100's of millions of dollars since the passage of the ADA trying to implement its vision. The result has been no significant improvement in the employment rate for people with disabilities. The special report Removing Barriers to Work: Action Proposals for the 105th Congress and Beyond, published by the National Council on Disability presents a compelling treatise on what needs to be done to facilitate employment of people with disabilities. And, U.S. Senate Bill S.1858, The Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1998, is certainly a big step in the right direction. But the employment rate for people with disabilities will remain much too low unless there is a proactive outreach program to convince large employers of the value of this underutilized population of Americans. Consider that the Welfare to Work program, funded with only $3 Billion (versus the SSI/SSDI $75 Billion federal budget) has enlisted 5,000 business who have pledged to hire from the welfare rolls. This has resulted in the hiring of 135,000 welfare recipients in the first year. The Sprint Corporation, one of the companies hiring from the rolls, has data that indicates a very successful outcome. The Welfare to Work program appears to benefit everyone involved, especially the taxpaying citizens of our country. America needs a SSI/SSDI to Work program modeled on the Welfare to Work program with emphasis on a proactive outreach effort to employers. Many people with disabilities can outperform their "able bodied" peers, given the opportunity and appropriate assistive technology, but some minds have to be changed to make this happen. Employers have to see people with disabilities as a resource for their businesses. The only way that is going to happen is for people of public stature to get involved. I don't have that pulpit to speak from, but I am personally and professionally committed to facilitate employment for people with disabilities. Please let me know of anything that I can do to help get these fellow Americans meaningful jobs. Sincerely, Rex A. Hoover