"I cannot think of a more appropriate time to begin the important work of the New Freedom Initiative than on the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act," Chao said. "ADA was a major civil rights legislation for the disabled community that was signed into law by President George Bush in 1990. As we celebrate the 11th anniversary of this landmark legislation, through President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, we will continue to ensure that disabled Americans are empowered with assistive technology to join the 21st Century workforce."

Chao also announced that the Department of Labor will award five new Grants totaling $10.3 million to help provide employment and training services to persons with disabilities. Grant announcements will be made in the Federal Register beginning the fourth week of June, and instructions on how to obtain a copy of the Solicitation for Grant Application will be included. Multiple grants will be awarded in the following areas:

1. Customized Employment -- Up to seven grants will be available to local Workforce Investment Boards to build or expand capacity of One Stops and their partners to provide customized employment for people with disabilities and to ensure that such services become part of the menu of services within the local workforce development system.
   
   
2. Innovative Demonstration Programs for WIA-assisted youth program -- Up to nine grants will be available to youth service providers to fund model programs that enhance the capacity of WIA youth programs to serve youth with disabilities.
   
   
3. WIA Disability Technical Assistance Consortia -- Two grants will be awarded, one focusing on youth services and the other on adult services, each designated to assist One-Stop Career Centers and other WIA-assisted programs in serving people with disabilities.
   
   
4. High School/High Tech Start-up -- Up to eight grants will be available to non-profit organizations, educational institutions or WIA-assisted program entities, to initiate High School/High Tech programs for youth with disabilities.
   
   
5. High School/High Tech Realignment -- Up to 20 grants will be available to enable existing High School/High Tech programs to realign their programs with the WIA system.