1998 N.O.D. Annual Report
All statistics, program information and staff descriptions in this document were accurate as of the date of publication, but may have more recently changed.
N.O.D. 1998 Annual Report
- Mission
- N.O.D. and America's Disability Agenda
- Community Partnership Program
- National Organization Partnership Program
- 1998 National Organization Partners
- CEO Council
- Start on Success Student Internship Program
- Religion and Disability Program
- Rendezvous with Destiny
- The World Committee on Disability
- Investors in N.O.D.'s Work
- Special Giving Opportunities
- N.O.D. Board of Directors
Mission
The mission of the National Organization on Disability is to expand the participation and contribution of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life.
N.O.D. and America's Disability Agenda
Closing the Gaps
There are 54 million Americans with disabilities. That means one out of every five persons lives day in and day out with disability. But, disability does not only affect the person who has the disability, but also the family members. Thus, there are well over 100 million citizens who comprise America's disability community.
As we enter a new millennium and also near the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is time to assess the status of people with disabilities in American life. N.O.D. did just that in 1998 by commissioning a landmark survey of Americans with disabilities. We learned - and reported to the nation - that severe gaps in participation levels between people with and without disabilities have not closed significantly since 1986, when the first such survey was conducted. America cannot afford, either for humanitarian or economic reasons, to leave its vast population of disabled behind. Closing the gaps is an imperative not only for people with disabilities but for our nation. This is "America's Disability Agenda".
To move America forward on this agenda, N.O.D. is working to educate decision-makers, business leaders, community activists and the media about the gaps. In 1998 we launched a newsletter, Disability Agenda, to report on key participation gaps and important disability-related trends. Through continued outreach and enhanced communications, N.O.D. promotes strategies for closing these gaps. In spring of 1998, President George Bush agreed to host a national disability conference on February 24-26, 2000 at the George Bush Presidential Library, focusing on closing the participation gaps for people with disabilities in major areas of life. We are excited about this conference, occasioned by the tenth anniversary of President Bush's signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as an important step in energizing the process of closing the gaps in the new millenium.
However, one conference, a newsletter and improved outreach and communication can't save the world. That is why N.O.D.'s programs, described in this annual report, are so critical - the Community Partnership Program of 4,500 towns, cities and counties; the National Organization Partnership Program of 35 national non-disability organizations; the CEO Council of over 100 leading companies and their CEOs; the Religion and Disability Program that has reached thousands of congregations and communities across America, and the Start on Success Student Internship Program that now serves more than a hundred high school students with disabilities each year.
You will also read in this report about two N.O.D. special projects furthering our mission - the "Rendezvous with Destiny" Campaign to raise funds to add the statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the FDR National Memorial, and the FDR International Disability Award, which is presented to a nation for noteworthy progress toward expanding participation of people with disabilities in their nation. All of these model programs, as well as many other publicly and privately sponsored disability programs, will continue to play a key role in raising awareness and closing the gaps in the years ahead.
Because we believe the challenge presented by America's Disability Agenda is so vital for our nation, we share with the readers of this annual report on the following page the syndicated column by Humphrey Taylor, Chairman, Louis Harris & Associates, upon the release of the 1998 N.O.D./Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities. His article sets forth the challenge to all of us - disabled and non- disabled alike. We are enormously grateful to the many millions of volunteers, program participants, supporters, and members of cooperating groups who share our commitment and work to make progress on America's Disability Agenda. Our deepest thanks go to our dedicated and hard-working N.O.D. team and to our Board of Directors.
We are optimistic that as we enter a new millennium, America will indeed close the gaps. All America will gain!
Wednesday, October 14, 1998
Americans With Disabilities Still Pervasively Disadvantaged on a Broad Range of Key Indicators
Huge differences between those with and without disabilities, in employment, income, transportation, health care and life satisfaction. by Humphrey Taylor, Chairman, Louis Harris & Associates, Inc.
A recent survey of people with disabilities shows how pervasively disadvantaged they still are, and how far they have to go before the quality of their lives even approaches that of people without disabilities. Some of the biggest differences between Americans with and without disabilities are in employment, income, transportation, health care and life satisfaction.
These "gaps" between people with disabilities and the rest of the population are among the many findings in a nationwide survey conducted by Harris for the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.). The survey is based on interviews with 1,000 people aged 16 and over with disabilities conducted in April, May and June of this year. It can be compared with similar surveys conducted in 1986 and 1994, and with other surveys of people without disabilities.
Some of the most dramatic and disturbing differences, or gaps, are the following:
- Employment: Only 29% of Americans with disabilities aged 18 to 64 are working, compared to 79% of Americans without disabilities in this age category. This is a "gap" of 50 percentage points, and confirms that the biggest of all burdens for people with disabilities is that the great majority do not have paid employment.
- Life outside the home and socializing: People with disabilities have much less access to activities and amenities outside the home that most people take for granted. For example, only 33% of people with disabilities eat out in a restaurant at least once a week, compared to 60% of people without disabilities - a gap of 27 percentage points.
Fully 31% of people with disabilities, but only 16% of those without disabilities, do not socialize at least once a week with close friends, relatives or neighbors. While this is a gap of "only" 15 percentage points, it shows that people with disabilities are twice as likely as others to have a limited social life.
- Income: People with disabilities are almost three times as likely as people without disabilities to live in households with total incomes of $15,000 or less (34% compared to 12%, a gap of 22 percentage points).
- Transportation: People with disabilities are almost twice as likely as people without disabilities to say that inadequate transportation is a problem (30% compared to 17%, a gap of 13 percentage points).
- Access to health care: People with disabilities are almost twice as likely as people without disabilities to report that, on one or more occasions, they did not get the medical services they needed in the last twelve months (21% compared to 11%).
- Life satisfaction: Only one-third of people with disabilities (33%) say they are "very satisfied" with their lives, compared to nearly two-thirds (61%) of people without disabilities. These findings, and many other results of this survey, document in disturbing detail the enormous differences in the quality of life, and standard of living of Americans with disabilities
Are The Gaps Closing?
This new research, along with earlier surveys by N.O.D. and Harris, shows that in general, the gaps between Americans with disabilities and other Americans have not changed much over the last twelve years, notwithstanding the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
The biggest improvement since 1986 relates to education, as the proportion of people with disabilities who have not graduated from high school has fallen (from 39% to 20%). The gap in percentage points between those with disabilities and other Americans who have not graduated has also diminished (from 24% to 11%). One other "gap" that has narrowed is in the number of people attending church or religious services at least once a month, where the gap has closed from 11% to only 3%.,p> However, there is little or no evidence of other gaps closing. The differences between people with and without disabilities in employment, income, going out to restaurants and socializing, have not changed substantially in twelve years.
On one other vital indicator, the gap has actually increased. Fewer people with disabilities (33%) today than in 1986 (39%) say they are "very satisfied" with their lives. On life satisfaction, the gap in percentage points between Americans with and without disabilities has increased substantially from 11% to 28%.
The survey finding that most of these gaps have not closed comes as a surprise. One reason why the differences are still so large also emerges from the survey; the proportion of people whose disabilities are severe has increased substantially.
Commenting on the survey results, Alan Reich, President of the National Organization on Disability, said "America can and must do better. Full and equal participation remains a dream deferred. We are committed to closing the gaps in participation. This is America's Disability Agenda as we enter the new millennium."
Community Partnership Program
Community Access and Attitudes Must Improve
Program sponsored by United Parcel Service
A Nationwide Network
The Community Partnership Program (CPP) is a network of 4,500 towns, cities and counties that promotes local voluntary commitment and action to expand the participation of people with disabilities in the life of their communities. Each town, city or county is represented by a Community Representative who is appointed by the mayor or chief elected official and serves as liaison to N.O.D. In addition, each governor appoints a State Representative to N.O.D.. Community Representatives, along with a committee of individuals with and without disabilities, identify needs, set objectives, and put into action a plan to promote full inclusion of people with disabilities in communities.
When a community joins the CPP, it becomes part of a movement that is improving the lives of the nation's largest minority - 54 million Americans - and building a stronger America for all.
Benefits of Membership
Through membership in the CPP, communities receive information on the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability related legislation, "how-to" materials, the CPP newsletter Update, a free subscription to N.O.D.'s newsletter Disability Agenda, and many other publications. Also, membership provides the opportunity for Community and State Representatives to share and exchange good ideas that have helped expand participation for people with disabilities. N.O.D. Vice President and Director of the Community Partnership Program Jim Dickson works closely with State and Community Representatives to facilitate this exchange and to keep on the lookout for new initiatives that will make a difference.
National Awards and Recognition
Another key component to membership in the CPP is the $30,000 N.O.D./United Parcel Service (UPS) Community Awards Competition. The cash awards recognize CPP member communities that have helped further the participation of people with disabilities in that community through exceptional local initiatives. The awards are presented by a representative of N.O.D. and UPS to the mayor or chief elected official of the winning community. N.O.D. publishes and circulates a booklet on the winning projects so that communities can get ideas, learn what worked in other communities, and see the rewards of expanding participation of people with disabilities.
The 1998 $10,000 Grand Prize Winner was Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Rolling Meadows, with a population of 30,000, embarked on an ambitious project of integrating people with disabilities into all of its ongoing recreational activities. New programs were developed, established programs were modified, new funds were acquired, and thanks to committed volunteers and staff, Rolling Meadows became a model for other communities wishing to offer inclusive recreational activities.
CPP Promotes N.O.D.'s Agenda
N.O.D. involves Community and State Representatives in other aspects of its work. In 1998, N.O.D. issued the N.O.D./Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities. This landmark survey reported on the status of Americans with disabilities as compared to those without disabilities in key life areas such as employment, education, political participation, socializing and religious worship. State Representatives played an important role in disseminating the survey results, advising state and local officials about the results, and informing the media.
Community and State Representatives were also asked to continue their support of N.O.D.'s "Rendezvous with Destiny" Campaign to add a statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a wheelchair to the FDR National Memorial in Washington, DC. Of particular note have been the efforts of Terry Sonnier, Louisiana's State Representative, who is coordinating a statewide fundraising appeal for the FDR statue.
In 1999 the CPP will continue to urge communities across the country to close the gaps in participation between people with and without disabilities through purposeful local action. The CPP will publicize and promote the efforts of communities so that they can serve as models for other towns, cities and counties across America.
Winners of the 1998 N.O.D./UPS Community Award Competition
- Grand prize:
- Rolling Meadows, Illinois
- $10,000
Cities and towns over 50,000:
- 1st place
- Greenville, South Carolina
- $3,500
- 2nd place
- Forth Worth, Texas
- $2,000
- 3rd place
- New York City, New York
- $1,000
Cities and towns under 50,000:
- 1st place
- Hibbing, Minnesota
- $3,500
- 2nd place
- Eagle Point, Oregon
- $2,000
- 3rd place
- Freeport, Illinois
- $1,000
Counties:
- 1st place
- Atlantic County, New Jersey
- $3,500
- 2nd place
- Baltimore County, Maryland
- $2,500
- 3rd place
- Johnson County, Indiana
- $1,000
National Organization Partnership Program
National Leadership and Local Action Make a Difference
Program sponsored by JCPenney
Commitment and Recognition
The National Organization Partnership Program (NOPP) consists of 35 national non-disability organizations that work with N.O.D. to promote full and equal participation of people with disabilities through their national, state and local affiliates. N.O.D. works with these National Partners to help them incorporate programs to increase outreach to people with disabilities in the communities in which they serve, and to encourage greater participation of employees, members and volunteers with disabilities throughout their organizations. National Partners join N.O.D. because they believe that people with disabilities can be important contributors. Through an annual grant from JCPenney, N.O.D. presents $1,000 to each NOPP member to conduct a cash awards competition to recognize outstanding disability programs of local affiliates.
Strengthened Partnerships
In 1998, one of N.O.D.'s goals was to strengthen the relationships between N.O.D. and its 35 National Partners. Program Director Jim Dickson met with each Partner to understand the role of people with disabilities within the organization and to advise on how the organization's general services might be expanded to include people with disabilities. In 1999, as a result of these efforts, the NOPP will be an even more effective catalyst for increasing the contributions of people with disabilities in society. NOPP continues to be an innovative force in promoting the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life.
1998 National Organization Partners
- American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
- American Association of Museums
- American Association of University Women
- American Bar Association
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
- American Lawyers Auxiliary
- American Legion Auxiliary
- American Library Association
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
- Boy Scouts of America
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America
- Camp Fire Boys and Girls
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- General Federation of Women's Clubs
- League of Women Voters
- National Association of Home Builder's Multifamily Council
- National 4-H Council
- National Association of Secondary School Principals
- National Association of Counties
- National Association of Independent Schools
- National Association of Towns and Townships
- National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities
- National Council of La Raza
- National Foundation for Women Legislators
- National School Boards Association
- Older Women's League
- Pilot International Foundation
- Sister Cities International
- Telephone Pioneers of America
- The American Legion
- The United States Conference of Mayors
- Travelers Aid International
- Women in Community Service
- YMCA of the USA
- YWCA of the USA
CEO Council
America's Greatest Untapped Labor Source - People with Disabilities
Corporate Commitment
Comprised of over 100 leading companies and their CEO's, the CEO Council sends the message that the top business leadership in America supports the expanded employment of people with disabilities because it is the right thing to do and because it is good business.
Council Members are recognized several times a year in donated public service advertisements in BusinessWeek. The ad (see centerfold), which features N.O.D.'s Vice Chairman Christopher Reeve, ran eight times in national and regional editions in 1998. By recognizing CEO's and other top executives, N.O.D. encourages them and their companies to make the employment of people with disabilities a corporate priority.
N.O.D. welcomes new Chairman of the CEO Council J. Harold Chandler, President, Chairman and CEO, Provident Companies, Inc. He succeeds Harold McGraw, III, Chairman and CEO of McGraw-Hill Companies who honored the Council by serving as Chairman from 1995-1998.
Raising Awareness
In 1998, N.O.D. Vice President and Director of the CEO Council, Jennifer Sheehy, traveled the country speaking with corporate audiences at national conferences such as the American Hotel & Motel Association, the National Business and Disability Council, and Business for Social Responsibility, about the powerful potential of employees and customers with disabilities, and other business and disability issues. Ms. Sheehy also authored and contributed to articles that ran in the magazine Executive Excellence, the newsletter UNUM Insight, and the journal for the Society for Human Resource Management.
In 1999 the Council will continue to advocate on behalf of hiring people with disabilities and engage business leaders to join in this effort. The Council will continue to strive to erase attitudinal barriers to the workplace with exciting projects such as a public service advertisement featuring Christopher Reeve and other celebrities. And, the Council will work to guarantee that disability is a key component of corporate diversity initiatives through N.O.D. sponsorship of the Conference Board's diversity seminars.
Some employees work harder, longer and show more loyalty. So, how exactly are they disabled?
There is a pool of talent that is grossly underutilized. An untapped source of natural problem solvers with a burning desire to use their abilities. That's why the National Organization on Disability founded its CEO Council. To give America's leading CEOs a platform to encourage fellow business leaders to harness the potential of these remarkable individuals.
The CEO Council helps fund the programs of N.O.D. Whether we are developing local voluntary disability projects or providing first-time work internships for teenagers with disabilities, our goal since 1982 has been the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life.
These members of the CEO council subscribe to the idea that it's ability, not disability, that counts. N.O.D. and WORKING WOMAN salute them and invite you to join.
MILLENNIUM Circle
- The J. C. Penney Company, Inc., James E. Oesterreicher
- Merrill Lynch & Company, Inc., David H. Komansky
TRUSTEEs' Circle
- The McGraw-Hill Companies, Harold McGraw III
- Provident Companies, Inc., J. Harold Chandler
- United Parcel Service, James P. Kelly
Chairman's Circle
- American Express Company, Harvey Golub
- BusinessWeek, David G. Ferm
- CIGNA Group Insurance, John K. Leonard
- Fannie Mae, James A. Johnson
- Gannett Broadcasting, Cecil L. Walker
- Microsoft Corporation, William H. Gates III
- Reicher Capital Management, Jeffrey P. Reich
- The Riggs National Bank of Washington, DC, Joe L. Albritton
- UNUM Corporation, James F. Orr III
Vice Chairman's Circle
- Alcoa, Paul O'Neil
- Chrysler Corporation, R.J. Eaton
- Citibank, John S. Reed
- Compaq Computer Corporation, Eckhard Pfeiffer
- Eastman Kodak Company, George M.C. Fisher
- Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, Robert B. Pollock
- H.J. Heinz Company, Anthony J.F. O'Reilly
- Mobil Corporation, Lucio A. Noto
- New York Stock Exchange, Richard A. Grasso
- Pfizer, William C. Steere, Jr.
- Philip Morris, Geoffrey C. Bible
- Potomac Electric Power Company, John M. Derrick, Jr.
- T. Rowe Price, George A. Roche
- USF&G, Norman P. Blake, Jr.
President's Circle
- Allstate, Jerry D. Choate
- Ameritech, Richard C. Notebaert
- CBS, Inc., Michael H. Jordan
- Champion Enterprises, Inc., Walter R. Young, Jr.
- CNA, Dennis H. Chookaszian
- Dorsar Investment Company, Stephen L. Feinberg
- Exxon Corporation, Lee Raymond
- GTE Corporation, Charles R. Lee
- Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc., Edgar Bronfman, Jr.
- Kellogg Company, Arnold G. Langbo
- Kemper Insurance Companies, David B. Mathis
- Marriott International, Inc., J.W. Marriott, Jr.
- Mattel, Inc., Jill E. Barad
- Northrop Grumman, Kent Kresa
- Owl Hollow Enterprises, Philip E. Beekman
- Sears, Roebuck and Co., Arthur C. Martinez
- Venator Group, Roger Farah
- The Washington Post Company, Donald E. Graham
- Wm. Wrigley, Jr. Company, William Wrigley
- Xerox Corporation, Paul A. Allaire
Leadership Circle
- Alex Lee, Inc., Boyd L. George
- Allegheny Teledyne, R.P. Simmons
- AMP Incorporated, Robert Ripp
- Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., August A. Busch III
- Avon Products, Inc., James E. Preston
- Bell Atlantic, Raymond W. Smith
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Charles A. Heimbold, Jr.
- Computer Associates International Inc., Charles B. Wang
- Cubic Corporation, Walter J. Zable
- The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, Volney Taylor
- Duracell North Atlantic Group, Ed DeGraan
- Fisher Scientific International, Inc., Paul M. Montrone
- Ford Motor Company, Alexander J. Trotman
- General Electric Company, John F. Welch, Jr.
- General Motors Corporation, John F. Smith, Jr.
- Hartford Life, Lowndes A. Smith
- Henry Ford Health System, Gail L. Warden
- The Hearst Corporation, Frank A. Bennack, Jr.
- Household International, William F. Aldinger
- Ingersoll-Rand, James E. Perrella
- Johnson & Johnson, Ralph Larsen
- Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., A.J.C. Smith
- Motorola Inc., Chris Galvin
- NationsBank Corporation, Hugh L. McColl, Jr.
- NEC America, Inc., Dr. Mineo Sugiyama, Ph.D.
- PPG Industries, Inc., Jerry E. Dempsey
- RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp., Steven Goldstone
- Shell Oil Company, Philip J. Carroll
- Steelcase Inc., James Hackett
- Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Jeffrey C. Barbakow
- Towers Perrin, John T. Lynch
- ULLICO, Inc., Robert A. Georgine
- U.S. Can Company, William J. Smith
- Warner-Lambert Company, Melvin R. Goodes
- Worthington Industries, John P. McConnell
Council Circle
- Advocate Health Care, Richard R. Risk
- Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, Lowell C. Anderson
- American Home Products Corporation, John R. Stafford
- Amgen Inc., Gordon M. Binder
- Andersen Corporation, Jerold W. Wulf
- Andersen Worldwide, W. Robert Grafton
- Archer Daniels Midland Company, Dwayne O. Andreas
- The Bank of New York, Thomas Renyi
- Belfinance Haussmann, Louis B. Lloyd
- Best Foods, Charles R. Shoemate
- Betz Dearborn, Inc., William R. Cook
- Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Masatoshi Ono
- Brinker International, Inc., Ronald A. McDougall
- Brooklyn Union Gas Company, Robert B. Catell
- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Mr. Charles R. Schwab
- Chevron Corporation, Kenneth T. Derr
- Cineplex Odeon Corporation, Allen Karp
- The CIT Group, Inc., Albert R. Gamper, Jr.
- The Coca-Cola Bottling Group (Southwest), Inc., Edmund M. Hoffman
- Colgate-Palmolive Co., Reuben Mark
- Comcast Corporation, Ralph J. Roberts
- Connell Limited Partnership, William F. Connell
- Craig Hospital, Denny O'Malley
- Deloitte & Touche LLP, J. Michael Cook
- The Dexter Corporation, Inc., K. Grahame Walker
- Dominion Resources, Inc., Thomas E. Capps
- DSC Communications Corporation, James L. Donald
- EG&G, Inc., John M. Kucharski
- Ernst & Young LLP, Philip A. Laskawy
- Fleet Financial Group, Terrence Murray
- Forbes Magazine, Malcolm S. Forbes, Jr.
- Frank Russell Company, Michael J. Phillips
- Franklin Templeton Group, Charles B. Johnson
- Genentech, Inc., Arthur Levinson, Ph.D.
- The Gillette Company, Alfred M. Zeien
- Golden Rule Insurance Company, John M. Whelan
- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Samir Gibara
- Graybar Electric, Carl L. Hall
- Guardsmark, Inc., Ira A. Lipman
- Hasbro, Inc., Alan G. Hassenfeld
- Huntsman Corporation, Jon M. Huntsman
- Illinois Tool Works, Inc., W. James Farrell
- John Hancock Financial Services, Stephen L. Brown
- Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., John H. Johnson
- The Jordan Company, John W. Jordan II
- J.P. Morgan & Company, Inc., Douglas A. Warner III
- Keebler Company, Sam K. Reed
- Kmart, Floyd Hall
- Matsushita Electric/Panasonic, Yoshinori Kobe
- The May Department Stores Company, David C. Farrell
- MidAmerican Energy Company, Stanley J. Bright
- Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., Jack Valenti
- Multifoods, Gary Costley
- Northeast Utilities, Michael G. Morris
- NYNEX, Ivan G. Seidenberg
- Olin Corporation, Donald W. Griffin
- Oshman's Sporting Goods, Inc., Alvin N. Lubetkin
- The Perkin-Elmer Corp., Tony L. White
- Pitney Bowes, Inc., Michael J. Critelli
- The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Arthur Ryan
- The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., Thomas O. Ryder
- Reebok International Ltd., Paul Fireman
- Republic New York Corporation, Walter H. Weiner
- Rockwell, Don H. Davis
- Safeway Inc., Steven A. Burd
- SERD/BTS, Mercedese M. Miller
- Shaklee, Charles Orr
- SmithKline Beecham, Jan Leschly
- Sprint, William T. Esrey
- State Farm Insurance Companies, Edward B. Rust, Jr.
- Tribune Broadcasting Co., James C. Dowdle
- VF Corporation, Mackey J. McDonald
- W.R. Grace & Co., Albert J. Costello
"Don't put a limit on what can be accomplished." Christopher Reeve Vice Chairman of N.O.D.
Start On Success
Start on Success Student Internship Program Opportunities for Young People with Disabilities
- Leading sponsors of Program
- CIGNA
- Goldsmith Foundation
- J.C. Stewart Memorial Trust
- JM Foundation
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation
- Lakeshore Foundation
- The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
- Merrill Lynch & Company, Inc.
- T. Rowe Price
- USF&G
"It keeps me thinking of the future. After I graduate, I want to have a job like this." Angel Vives, SOS Intern,commenting on his job at the University of Pennsylvania's bookstore accounting office.
Paid Internships with Local Employers
The Start on Success (SOS) program was created to help combat the low employment levels of young people with disabilities. SOS offers high school students with disabilities work experience through paid internships with local employers. By receiving an early introduction to the workforce, these interns, who have a range of physical, mental and/or sensory disabilities can acquire the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market.
Benefits for Students, Benefits for Business
SOS encourages students to discover that they have the abilities needed on the job, that they can be self-supporting and that they can look forward to a future of greater independence. It also helps employers and their non-disabled employees realize the advantages of hiring people with disabilities. And, it demonstrates that young people with disabilities can be a valued resource in the workplace.
A Community Approach
Interns are paired with a job coach and an on-site supervisor and work 10-15 hours a week for 8-30 weeks per academic year. The program operates in diverse communities - urban, rural and suburban - and interns work in settings such as a bookstore, a computer center, a hotel and a law school admissions office. SOS National Director Charles Dey makes numerous visits each year to job sites to meet with interns, employers and teachers. SOS involves school districts, teachers, parents, local business and civic leaders in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and throughout Alabama. In early 1999 the Pittsburgh SOS program will start, and in early spring the first Ohio SOS program will be launched.
Religion and Disability Program
Houses of Worship Should be Welcoming and Accessible
Program sponsored by W.K. Kellogg Foundation Scaife Family Foundation
Working with Congregations and Communities
Many people with disabilities find places of worship to be less welcoming and accessible than they could be. The Religion and Disability Program works with local congregations, national denominational groups and seminaries to remove architectural, communication and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from full and active religious participation.
The Religion and Disability Program encourages communities across America to sponsor "That All May Worship" conferences and in 1998, there were twenty-three "That All May Worship" conferences. These community-building conferences in locations from Tacoma, Washington to Fall River, Massachusetts - from Chicago, Illinois to Lakeland, Florida, foster dialogue among people with disabilities, concerned citizens, and religious leaders as they work to improve physical and spiritual access in their congregations.
Accessible Congregations Campaign
Also in 1998, the Religion and Disability Program launched the Accessible Congregations Campaign, the goal of which is to recruit 2,000 committed congregations by the year 2000 that include people with disabilities as full and active participants. The theme of the Campaign is Access: It Begins in the Heart. Eighty-five organizations such as the National Down Syndrome Society, Jewish Education Service of North America, and the National Council on Independent Living support the Campaign, and are encouraging the congregations of America to make the commitment to remove barriers.
Interfaith Guides
The Religion and Disability Program has published three interfaith guides that help communities and congregations eliminate the obstacles to a full life of faith for people with disabilities - That All May Worship, Loving Justice, and From Barriers to Bridges. These guides serve as invaluable resources to congregations of all faiths wishing to expand the participation of people with disabilities. Over 50,000 guides have been distributed nationwide. In 1999, the Religion and Disability program will continue encouraging congregations and communities to hold "'That All May Worship" conferences, and will seek to reach its goal of 2,000 committed congregations by the year 2000.
Rendezvous with Destiny Campaign: A Statue of FDR in a Wheelchair to be Added to Memorial
At First No Planned Depiction of FDR in a Wheelchair
In early 1995, the National Organization on Disability learned that there was no planned depiction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's disability in the National Memorial that was under construction in Washington, DC. N.O.D. Chairman Michael Deland met with members of the FDR Memorial Commission and requested that FDR be shown in his wheelchair in the Memorial. He presented N.O.D.'s position that by depicting FDR in a wheelchair, the world would know that a person with a disability can become President of the United States; and not showing his disability would perpetuate antiquated stereotypes about limitations of people with disabilities.
Legislation is Passed
For over two years, the FDR Memorial Commission failed to listen to the requests from the disability community. On the eve of the dedication of the Memorial, President Clinton called on Senator Daniel Inouye to introduce legislation that would require the addition of a depiction of FDR with his disability in the Memorial. On May 1, 1997, the day before the dedication, the Senate passed this resolution by unanimous vote. A month later, the House passed the resolution, and on July 24, 1997, President Clinton signed the act.
Decision for Design and Placement of Statue
Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt appointed an Advisory Committee in September 1997 to recommend to him what the addition should be, where it should be located within the Memorial site, and who should design it. Representatives from the disability community serving on the committee were Michael Deland, and Hugh Gallagher, author of FDR's Splendid Deception. The committee met several times in late 1997 and early 1998 and held a public hearing whereby members of the disability community had the opportunity to provide testimony on their views on the addition.
The Committee's recommendation to Secretary Babbitt included the following: that a statue be constructed to show FDR in a wheelchair; that the statue be free-standing; that the statue be part of a new room to be built at the entrance to the Memorial; and that the sculptor be Robert Graham who had already worked on the Memorial.
The Fundraising Begins
The legislation calls for funding of the statue to come from the private sector. N.O.D. is raising the needed funds totaling approximately $1.65 million. N.O.D. has formed the "Rendezvous with Destiny" Campaign Committee, which is led by Co-Chairs, Anne Roosevelt, granddaughter of FDR, and Michael Deland. Honorary Chairmen are Presidents Bush, Carter and Ford. Committee members include Jack Valenti, Christopher Roosevelt and Christopher Reeve. The first major gift of $100,000 from Gordon and Llura Gund was announced in 1998.
N.O.D. is proud to help bring to reality the hopes of sixteen grandchildren of FDR: "The goal of the FDR Mem-orial must be to enable future generations to understand the whole man and the events and experiences that helped to shape his character. WeÉbelieve that this cannot be accomplished without a commitment to a permanent, meaningful portrayal in the Memorial of FDR's disability and how the process of adjusting to living with his disability made him a better and more able man and President."
The World Committee on Disability
The World Committee on Disability International Commitment to Full Participation
The World Committee - N.O.D.'s International Arm
The World Committee on Disability promotes the commitment of all nations to the United Nations World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. The World Programme calls for full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life in their respective countries regardless of the level of development. Established in 1985, the World Committee is the international arm of N.O.D. and urges the leaders of the U.N., its member nations and international organizations to make the full participation of people with disabilities - of which there are a half-billion worldwide - an ongoing priority.
The Committee is comprised of people with and without disabilities from all continents. Distinguished members include Former United Nations Secretary-Generals Javier Perez de Cuellar and Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Former U.S. President George Bush, who all serve as Honorary Chairmen. Governor Dick Thornburgh, Michael R. Deland and Dr. Young Woo Kang serve as Vice Chairmen.
FDR International Disability Award
The World Committee's focus in 1998 was the Franklin D. Roosevelt International Disability Award which was established in cooperation with the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute in 1995. The annual Award goes to a nation making noteworthy national progress toward fulfillment of the U.N. World Programme of Action. It consists of a bronze bust of FDR, and a $50,000 cash prize from the Roosevelt Institute for a non-governmental disability organization in the winning nation. The Award is named for President Roosevelt, who contracted polio at age 39 and never took another step unassisted. FDR's key role in founding the U.N. is often regarded as his crowning achievement.
Canada was selected as the recipient of the 1997 FDR International Disability Award. Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chreti≈Ωn received the Award on behalf of his nation at the U.N. in March 1998. Ireland was named the winner for the 1998 Award and Irish President Mary McAleese will receive the Award at the U.N. in spring 1999.
Through the Award and other efforts, the World Committee will continue its work of promoting commitment to expand the participation of the world's half-billion men, women and children with disabilities.
Investors in N.O.D.'s Work
The National Organization on Disability gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the following corporations, foundations and individuals who contributed to our work in 1998. Through their support they are helping to expand the participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of American life.
- CENTURY CLUB
- $100,000 and above
- BusinessWeek
- Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Gund
- The J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
- Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
- W. K. Kellogg Foundation
- PATRONS
- $50,000 to $99,999
- Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. DeVos
- The Charles Engelhard Foundation
- The McGraw-Hill Companies
- Provident Companies, Inc.
- The Scaife Family Foundation
- The UPS Foundation
- Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, MD
- BENEFACTORS
- $25,000 to $49,999
- The American Express Foundation
- Brant Family Trust
- The Christopher Reeve Foundation
- CIGNA
- Gannett Broadcasting
- Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
- Mr. Jeffrey P. Reich
- The Riggs National Bank of Washington
- UNUM Corporation
- Mr. Frederick Whittemorev
- SPONSORS
- $10,000 TO $24,999
- Alcoa
- Anonymous
- CBS, Inc.
- DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund
- Citibank
- Mrs. Susan Reeves Deland
- Eastman Kodak Company
- Fannie Mae Foundation
- Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
- Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
- Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Hammerman
- H.J. Heinz Company Foundation
- JM Foundation
- J.C. Stewart Memorial Trust
- Mobil Corporation
- Mrs. Evelyn Stefansson Nef
- New York Stock Exchange
- Pfizer
- Philip Morris
- Potomac Electric Power Company
- Mr. & Mrs. E. John Rosenwald, Jr.
- USF&G Insurance
- Mr. John Whitehead
- Mr. & Mrs. William Wraith
- PARTNERS
- $5,000 to $9,999
- Allstate Insurance Company
- Ameritech
- Arthur Andersen
- Mr. Philip E. Beekman
- The Honorable George Bush
- Champion Enterprises, Inc.
- CNA
- Mr. & Mrs. Michael R. Deland
- Exxon Corporation
- GTE Corporation
- Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc.
- Kellogg Company
- Kemper Insurance Companies
- Langan Associates
- Marriott International, Inc.
- Mattel, Inc.
- Mr. Robert C. Pew III
- Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Roman
- Sears, Roebuck and Co.
- R.P. Simmons Family Foundation
- Venator Corporation
- Whitaker Trust
- William Wrigley Jr. Company
- Xerox Corporation
- ASSOCIATES
- $1,000 to 4,999
- Alex Lee, Inc.
- Allegheny Teledyne
- American Home Products Corporation
- Amgen, Inc.
- AMP Incorporated
- Andersen Corporation
- Andersen Worldwide
- Mrs. Arlene E. Anns
- Archer Daniels Midland Company
- Automated & Custom Food Services
- Avon Products, Inc.
- The Bank of New York
- Belfinance Haussmann
- Bell Atlantic Corporation
- Benjamin Moore & Co.
- Best Foods
- BetzDearborn Inc.
- Brinker International, Inc.
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Brooklyn Union Gas Company
- Mr. Richard Burnes
- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
- Chevron Corporation
- The CIT Group, Inc.
- Colgate-Palmolive Company
- Comcast Corporation
- Computer Associates International, Inc.
- Connell Limited Partnership
- Consolidated Natural Gas Company
- Craig Hospital
- Deloitte & Touche LLP
- The Dexter Corporation
- DSC Communications Corporation
- Duquesne Light
- Duracell North Atlantic Group
- EG&G, Inc.
- Mr. Stephen Feinberg & Ms. Susan Foote
- Fleet Financial Group
- Ford Motor Company
- Franklin Templeton Group
- Genentech, Inc.
- General Electric Company
- The Gillette Company
- Golden Rule Insurance Company
- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- Graybar Electric
- Hartford Life
- Hasbro, Inc.
- The Hearst Corporation
- Help Unlimited
- Henry Ford Health System
- Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Household International
- Huntsman Corporation
- Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
- Ingersoll-Rand Company
- J.P. Morgan & Co. Inc.
- John Hancock Financial Services
- Johnson & Johnson
- The Jordan Companyv
- Mr. & Mrs. Martin Keane
- Keebler Company
- Kmart Corporation
- Marsh & McLennan Companies
- Matsushita Electric Corporation of America
- The May Department Stores Company
- MidAmerican Energy Company
- Mine Safety Appliance Company
- Ambassador & Mrs. Alfred Moses
- Motorola, Inc.
- NationsBank Corporation
- NEC America, Inc.
- Northeast Utilities
- Mr. & Mrs. James E. Oesterreicher
- Olin Corporation
- The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
- Pitney Bowes, Inc.
- PPG Industries
- The Prudential Insurance Company of America
- Mr. & Mrs. Charles Queenan
- The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
- Reebok International, Ltd.
- RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp.
- Mr. David Rockefeller, Jr.
- Ms. Ingrid Rockefeller
- Rockwell International
- Safeway, Inc.
- SERD/BTS Inc.
- Shaklee Corporation
- Mr. & Mrs. Terrence Sheehy
- Sprint
- State Farm Insurance Companies
- Steelcase Inc.
- Tenet Healthcare Corporation
- Mr. W. Reid Thompson
- Towers Perrin
- Tribune Broadcasting Company
- ULLICO, Inc.
- W.R. Grace & Co.
- Warner-Lambert Company
- Worthington Industries
- FRIENDS
- $100 to $999
- Mr. & Mrs.B. William Bigwood
- Dr. & Mrs. Robert Binswanger
- Richard Bishop, Esq.
- Burrough of Carroll Valley
- Mr. Kisuk Cheung
- The Honorable Robert J. Dole
- Mr. Bert T. Edwards
- Ms. Helen H. Ford
- Forks Handicapped Club Trust
- Mr. Bruce Freeman
- Mr. & Mrs. George Gallup
- Interfaith Disabilities Coalition
- Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers
- International Center for the Disabled
- Mr. William Keech
- Ambassador & Mrs. Philip Lader
- PAS Financial Group
- Pathways Awareness Foundation
- Mr. Russell Redenbaugh
- Mr. & Mrs. Alan A. Reich
- Mr. & Mrs. Peter B. Reich
- Mr. & Mrs. Alan Rubin
- St. Mary's Mayor's Committee on Disability Issues
- Mr. & Mrs. Laurence Short
- Silicon Valley Council of the Blind
- Slade Gorton & Co., Inc.
- Mr. P. Daniel Smith
- Mr. & Mrs. Robert I. Smith
- Spartacom
- Statewide Independent Living
- Talleyrand Broadcasting
- Mr. & Mrs. Humphrey Taylor
- Rev. & Mrs. John Twiname
- Washington International Horse Show
- Mr. Peter Wege
- Reverend Harold Wilke
- Mr. Henry W. Williams, Jr.
Special Giving Opportunities
N.O.D. welcomes planned giving. These are special donations where the gift of assets may provide the donor with particular advantages. Planned gifts should always be made with the advice of your attorney or financial advisor. If you are interested in giving to N.O.D. through a bequest, charitable lead trust, charitable remainder trust, or in donating life insurance, please contact the President of N.O.D. at 202-293-5960 or TDD 202-293-5968.
N.O.D. Board of Directors
- HONORARY CHAIRMAN
- President George Bush
- DIRECTORS
- Michael R. Deland, Chairman -- Vice Chairman, American Flywheel Systems, Inc.
- Christopher Reeve, Vice Chairman
- Alan A. Reich, President
- Arlene E. Anns -- Former Publisher, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
- Philip E. Beekman -- Retired CEO, Hook-SupeRx, Inc.
- Henry B. Betts, M.D. -- Past President/Medical Director, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
- Richard Bishop, Esq.
- Bertram S. Brown, M.D. -- Forensic Medical Advisory Service
- Tony Coelho -- Chairman and CEO, Coehlo Associates
- Richard M. DeVos -- N.O.D. Founding Chairman -- Retired President, Amway Corp.
- Stephen L. Feinberg -- Chairman and CEO, Dorsar Industries
- Bruce G. Freeman -- Retired Chairman, Marts & Lundy, Inc.
- George H. Gallup, Jr. -- Chairman, The George H. Gallup International Institute
- Stephen L. Hammerman -- Vice Chairman of the Board, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
- Hon. Paul Helmke -- Mayor, Fort Wayne, Indiana -- President, U.S. Conference of Mayors
- William R. Howell -- Retired Chairman, J.C. Penney Company, Inc.
- Young Woo Kang, Ph.D. -- President, International Education and Rehabilitation Exchange Foundation
- Harold McGraw III -- President and CEO, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
- Mercedese M. Miller -- President, SERD/BTS, Inc.
- James E. Oesterreicher -- Chairman and CEO, J.C. Penney Company, Inc.
- Mary Jane Owen -- Director, National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities
- John W. Patten -- Retired President, Business Week Group
- Itzhak Perlman
- Robert C. Pew -- Chairman, Steelcase, Inc.
- Russell G. Redenbaugh -- President, Kairos Inc.
- Jeffrey P. Reich -- President and CEO, Reicher Capital Management, Inc.
- Kenneth Roman -- Former Chairman and CEO, Ogilvy & Mather
- Michael T. Rose -- President, Michael T. Rose Companies
- E. John Rosenwald, Jr. -- Vice Chairman, Bear Stearns & Co., Inc.
- Alan Rubin -- Retired President, National Park Foundation
- Vincent A. Sarni -- Retired Chairman and CEO, PPG Industries, Inc.
- Raymond Philip Shafer -- Former Governor of Pennsylvania -- Counselor, Dunaway & Cross
- Humphrey Taylor -- Chairman and CEO, Louis Harris & Associates
- W. Reid Thompson -- Retired Chairman, Potomac Electric Power Company
- Jack Valenti -- President and CEO, Motion Picture Association of America, Inc.
- Reverend Harold Wilke -- Director, The Healing Community
- Robert J. Saner II Esq. -- Counsel, Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C.
- CONGRESSIONAL SPONSORS
- Sen. Max Cleland, GA
- Sen. William H. Frist, M.D., TN
- Sen. Tom Harkin, IA
- Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, HI
- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, MA
- Rep. Michael N. Castle, DE
- Rep. Julian C. Dixon, CA
- Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, MD
- Rep. Major R. Owens, NY
- Rep. John E. Porter, IL
- Rep. Henry Waxman, CA


