NCD Letter to President Bush on Disaster Recovery and Livable

NCD Letter to President Bush on Disaster Recovery and Livable Communities

September 30, 2005
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is encouraged by the Federal 
Governments recent statements of long-term commitment to leading recovery 
and reconstruction efforts in the Gulf Coast areas affected most by 
Hurricane Katrina, as well as those regions in Texas and Louisiana hit by 
Hurricane Rita. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Ritas devastation, 
we have an opportunity to improve life for citizens including those with 
disabilities. The nation is poised to undertake an unprecedented 
reconstruction effort in rebuilding homes, as well as schools, medical 
centers, businesses, and other public infrastructure. Estimated costs for 
this massive effort are conservatively placed upwards of two hundred 
billion dollars.

As this reconstruction effort unfolds over the months and years ahead, we 
can ensure universal livability in addition to making structural 
improvements for the hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities 
and people who are elderly in the Gulf Coast region. We recommend that a 
universal livability approach be followed in meeting the needs of people 
with disabilities affected by recovery, rebuilding, and resettlement 
efforts in all regions affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Universal 
livability involves the application of planning and design principles to 
create communities where universal access and design are an integral part 
of life. A livable community strives to maximize peoples independence, 
assure safety and security, promote inclusiveness, and provide choice.

In following basic principles at the outset of the recovery, rebuilding, 
and resettlement efforts, we can create livability for all citizens. NCD 
recently transmitted to you a report entitled Livable Communities for 
Adults with Disabilities, which offers a compelling vision for our 
nation. NCDs report findings make clear that the elements that make a 
community livable for people with disabilities make it a livable place 
for all members of the community. Thus, in improving its livability for 
one particular group of constituents, the community actually accomplishes 
considerably more.

A livable community is one that achieves the following:

1.	Provides affordable, appropriate, accessible housing; 

2.	Ensures accessible, affordable, reliable, safe transportation; 

3.	Adjusts the physical environment for inclusiveness and 
accessibility; 

4.	Provides work, volunteer, and education opportunities; 

5.	Ensures access to key health and support services for people with 
disabilities; and 

6.	Encourages participation in civic, cultural, social, and 
recreational opportunities. 
The focus of Livable Communities is in line with your Administrations 
emphasis in the New Freedom Initiative on community integration, 
participation, and enhancement of the independence of people with 
disabilities at home, at work, and throughout the course of their daily 
lives.
NCD recommends that to maximize the potential for success, the following 
approaches be used to effect change on behalf of people with disabilities 
evacuated and displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita:
 
1.	Consolidate administration and pool funds of multiple programs to 
improve ease of access to, and information about, benefits and programs 
for consumers; 

2.	Use tax credits and other incentives to stimulate change in 
individual and corporate behavior and encourage investment in livable 
community objectives; 

3.	Provide a waiver or other authority to help communities blend 
resources from multiple public funding streams to provide and coordinate 
different services; and 

4.	Require or encourage a private sector match to leverage public 
funding and stimulate public-private sector partnerships. 

We suggest that by Executive Order the Federal Government should mandate 
universal livability and set standards for implementation. Obviously, to 
ensure that Gulf Coast reconstruction occurs competently, disability 
organizations should be joined with all governmental recovery, 
rebuilding, and resettlement (and non-government) operations and be 
relied upon for ongoing advice, guidance, and leadership.

NCD joins in the deep concern for all of the citizens who are now 
displaced as a result of the hurricane caused disasters, many of whom 
have disabilities and who are older and experience a high rate of 
disabling conditions. We are pleased to note the improved initial federal 
response to Hurricane Rita over the past few days. NCD continues to offer 
our support and assistance to you and all agencies of your Administration 
in their ongoing work to help people restore and rebuild their lives. 

Sincerely,


Lex Frieden, Chairperson
National Council on Disability



Mark S. Quigley
Director of Communications
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
202-272-2008



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