President George W. Bush, Executive Order 13217

INTRODUCTION

Executive Order 13217 directs six federal agencies, including the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, Housing and Urban Development and the Social Security Administration to "evaluate the policies, programs, statutes, and regulations of their respective agencies to determine whether any should be revised or modified to improve the availability of community-based services for qualified individuals with disabilities."

Executive Order 13217 represents a milestone in the implementation of the American with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) integration mandate. The Order is unique in its recognition that the federal government has a critical role to play in promoting community living. Conceptually, too, the Order is remarkable; its emphasis on public input and a comprehensive federal-state partnership around achieving community living for people with disabilities is groundbreaking. Finally, the Order is notable for the broad sweep of its mandate for federal agency collaboration. The Order represents the first time that federal agencies have been directed to act together to ensure compliance with Title II of the ADA and achieve community living for people with disabilities. This cross-agency charge recognizes that in order for integration and full participation in community life to be realized, agencies must work together towards this goal. They must address barriers within their own programs and services, and collaborate to create an environment in which people with disabilities have the opportunity for participation and contribution in ways that promote self-determination and choice.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: On June 18, 2001, President Bush signed Executive Order No. 13217 on Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities. The Order commits the United States to community-based alternatives for individuals with disabilities and recognizes that such services advance the best interests of the United States. The Order calls upon the federal government to assist states and localities to swiftly implement the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Olmstead V__!SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: On June 18, 2001, President Bush signed Executive Order No. 13217 on CommunityBased Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities. The Order commits the United States to communitybased alternatives for individuals with disabilities and recognizes that such services advance the best interests of the United States. The Order calls upon the federal government to assist states and localities to swiftly implement the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Olmstead V__' !

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OVERVIEWEXECUTIVE SUMMARY OVERVIEW

Part I of this Preliminary Report sets forth the federal agencies’ vision for a successful community service system consistent with the Order. In 13 major areas, the Report discusses the barriers to community integration articulated by the agencies and highlights key solutions. Detailed descriptions of all agency activities will be provided in the individual reports of each agency, which will be released shortly.

Part II of the Preliminary Report describes federal agency efforts to ensure public input in conducting self-evaluations of agency programs, policies, statutes and regulations, and provides the legal and factual context for the Order. Specifically, it describes the roots of the Executive Order, providing background on the Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C. and on the ADA.

HIGHLIGHTS OF FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIONS TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

As a result of the self-evaluation process required by Executive Order 13217, federal agencies devised literally hundreds of solutions to facilitate the community integration of individuals with disabilities. These solutions fall into the following categories: