Gerald R. Ford

“ Disabled people now seek fulfillment of that promise for themselves. We are firm in our resolve to remove those barriers which still prevent handicapped citizens from making their full contribution to the Nation's economic and social health. ”

“ As we celebrate the two-hundredth anniversary of our national independence, physically and mentally handicapped Americans are seeking new opportunities to use their talents, abilities and experience. Assisting those of our citizens who are disabled are programs designed to provide equality of opportunity and equality of education. These programs place new emphasis on the needs of those with severe disabilities, and a new and growing consumer movement of and for handicapped persons. ”

“ Next spring the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals will serve to stimulate a national assessment of problems facing individuals with handicaps and to develop recommendations to solve those problems. ”