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The Florida Grantor, Summer 2004

FGA Update

New Executive Order to Support the Disability Community

President Bush signed an executive order to heighten security and safety measures for federal workers with disabilities on July 22, 2004. The new executive order called “Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness” is to ensure that in times of natural disasters and acts of terrorism federal workers and customers with disabilities will reach safety.

The executive order includes better emergency preparedness planning, consideration to those who need additional assistance and cooperation among federal, state, local and tribal governments. This new order compliments the President’s New Freedom Initiative, which is designed to remove the barriers that American’s with disabilities face from society.

Any questions concerning the “Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness” executive order may be directed to Tracy Justesen with the White House Domestic Policy Council at (202) 456-5228 or to review the executive order visit www.whitehouse.gov/news/orders/.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2004

"You're Hired! Success Knows No Limitations!" is the theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, observed every October.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao selected the theme to build on the President’s New Freedom Initiative to create jobs for people with disabilities throughout the U.S.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month will help employers access the untapped resource of Americans with disabilities who are willing and able to work.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) organizes the awareness campaign for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Visit www.dol.gov/odep for more information.

Accessible Playgrounds Created in Florida

Governor Bush and the National Center for Boundless Playgrounds are building on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make playgrounds across Florida more accessible to children and adults with special needs.

Boundless Playgrounds aims to create barrier-free play environments by creating wheelchair accessible playgrounds and adding stimulating play areas for individuals with developmental disabilities. To join the Florida Boundless Playgrounds Initiative or for more information, contact the National Center for Boundless Playgrounds at 860.243.8315 or email playmatters@boundlessplaygrounds.org.

Department of Education Grants

The U.S. Department of Education invites colleges, universities, nonprofit and for profit agencies to apply for the Reading Comprehension grant program. This program supports projects that seek to identify and improve reading comprehension problems. Grant funds range from $150,000 to $1.2 million a year for up to five years. The deadline to apply is October 28, 2004. For more information contact Elizabeth Albro at (202) 219-2148, e-mail Elizabeth.albro@ed.gov or visit www.ed.gov/programs/edresearch/applicant.html.

Research and Development Centers Grants

The Research and Development Centers is seeking grant applicants that have programs that help solve developmental, testing, teaching and learning difficulties in students. The U.S. Department of Education awards higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, school districts and for profit organizations grant funds ranging from $1 million to $2 million. For more information contact Michael Wiatrowski at (202) 219-2229, e-mail Michael.wiatrowski@ed.gov or visit www.ed.gov/programs/edresearch/applicant.html.