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State of California Health and Welfare A nc PETE WIISON Governor DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION 830 "K" Street Hall P.O. Box 944222 Sacramento, CA 94244-2220 (916) 322-0251/ATSS 492-0251 November 1992 Dear Friends: The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive anti- discrimination law for people with disabilities. The ADA is a sweeping national policy protecting the rights of people with disabilities in all aspects of like, in both the public and private sectors. Simply put, the ADA is. about changing attitudes it is about assuring the inclusion of people with disabilities into the social, political, and economic mainstream of society. The ADA says to change the way we think about people ple with disabilities. No longer r h r n ! cannot do' but rate o e what people , �s it appropriate to focus on p_ p what they can do. Governor Pete Wilson was an early co-sponsor and strong supporter of the ADA as a U.S. Senator. As Governor, his support continues and he has indicated that he wants California to be a national leader in the implementation of the ADA. To achieve this, the Governor has designated the Department of Rehabilitation as the lead State agency to coordinate the implementation of the ADA. This is an appropriate role for the Department because of its extensive experience working with and serving the disability community. With the largest disability population of any state, over four million individuals with disabilities, it is essential that California set a proper` example. Many public agencies, institutions of highereducation and businesses have already established a good disability employment record'; yet, much more work needs to be done. An estimated two population is not working, even though a o _ 9 ' of the disability P thirds P majority indicate they want to work. Putting people with disabilities to work makes good economic sense as they become taxpayers rather than tax consumers dependent on costly government subsidies: