1999 N.O.D. Annual Report
The 1999 N.O.D. Annual Report is available in both text and PDF formats. The text version appears below; the PDF version can be viewed and printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you already have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, just click on the link below to download the document. If not, then first click on the link below to download your free version of Acrobat Reader.
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. 1999 Annual Report
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.
- Closing the Gaps-America's Disability Agenda
- Americans With Disabilities Still Pervasively Disadvantaged on a Broad Range of Key Indicators
- Community Partnership Program
- National Partnership Program
- CEO Council
- Start on Success Student Internship Program
- Religion and Disability Program
- VOTE! 2000 Campaign
- Rendezvous with Destiny Campaign
- The World Committee on Disability
- Investors in N.O.D.'s Work
- Special Giving Opportunities
- N.O.D. Board of Directors
The 1999 Annual Report is also available in Adobe PDF format for viewing and printing. To access this document, you must have Acrobat Reader installed in your computer. Click on the Adobe button below to download Acrobat Reader for free.
Closing the Gaps-America's Disability Agenda
The new millennium has arrived and with it our challenge to ensure that it heralds a fresh start for people with disabilities. The gaps that separate those with disabilities from those without must be closed.
In 2000, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act signed by President Bush. Thanks to this historic civil rights legislation, attitudes have improved towards the nation's largest minority - 54 million men, women, and children with disabilities. In the past decade, we have seen increasing numbers of people with disabilities take charge of their lives. However, N.O.D.'s latest Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities shows the gaps in overall levels of participation between those with and without disabilities have not closed appreciably. Harris Poll Chairman Humphrey Taylor states in his syndicated article on page 3 of this report that people with disabilities are "pervasively disadvantaged."
This past year, the Strategic Planning Committee of our Board of Directors defined the organization's vision for the next ten years, setting forth our mission to substantially and measurably close these gaps - in employment, education, community activities, political participation, religious worship, transportation and healthcare. This is "America's Disability Agenda." The Committee developed a three-part strategy to address it:
- To continue to monitor, measure and report to the nation on the progress in closing these gaps.
- To mobilize and energize the nation to close the gaps, using the "bully pulpit" of mass communications, including the Internet.
- To promote replication of N.O.D.'s successful programs and other initiatives to magnify their impact in communities across America.
Our Board of Directors endorsed the recommendation of the Strategic Planning Committee and is proceeding to address "America's Disability Agenda." At year-end, we began identifying the group leaders and opinion molders who will have the greatest impact on the nation's progress. Our website, now in its third year, is a vital tool and we are updating it to enable us to use the Internet to make our online accomplishments as effective as our offline work. We have begun to extend our programs to focus on the large national challenges we face in closing the gaps and thereby meaningfully expand the participation of all people with disabilities in all aspects of American life.
This annual report outlines how our programs are making a difference: this past year we launched the VOTE! 2000 Campaign to enlist 700,000 new voters with disabilities in the year 2000 Presidential elections; the Religion & Disability Program conducted 25 conferences across America aimed at making congregations more welcoming and accessible; the Community Partnership Program is highlighting and promoting replication of outstanding local disability initiatives; the National Partnership Program that works with 36 major non-disability organizations is reaching out to people with disabilities in communities all across the country; the Start on Success (SOS) program is providing paid internships for teenagers with disabilities to give them invaluable work experience; the CEO Council encourages corporate leaders and top management to hire people with disabilities; and N.O.D.'s World Committee on Disability presented the third annual FDR International Disability Award to the President of Ireland at a United Nations ceremony hosted by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
In the past year, we successfully concluded the Rendezvous with Destiny Campaign to raise the funds for the statue of President Roosevelt in a wheelchair to be placed at the FDR Memorial in Washington DC. This statue, for which N.O.D. and many other disability organizations have fought for the past 5 years, promises to inspire people for generations to come. These are exciting times for people with disabilities. We are grateful to the people and organizations that make our work possible including our Board of Directors and contributors who are listed in this report. Our profound thanks to the many thousands of volunteers, disability organizations, the media and to our very capable and dedicated staff, all of whom have helped launch N.O.D. into the new millennium by moving closer to our goal of full and equal participation of people with disabilities in American life.
Sincerely,
- Michael R. Deland
- Chairman
- Alan A. Reich
- President
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, Harris Poll
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%.
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 Organi-zation 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
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 develop and carry out plans to promote full participation of people with disabilities in communities.
Benefits of Membership
Through membership in the CPP, communities receive information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability related legislation, "how-to" materials, the CPP newsletter Update, 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.
National Awards and Recognition
A key component of 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 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 a booklet (available on N.O.D.'s website) 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.
Russellville, Arkansas was named the $10,000 Grand Prize winner for 1999. Their program, which brought the city together to fulfill and exceed the requirements of the ADA includes advising local government, businesses and educational institutions, educating the community about disability issues, and involving people with all disabilities. With virtually no funding, Russellville was transformed from a city with accessibility issues to a city with widespread compliance with the ADA. According to River Valley Accessibility Council Chairman of the Board, Sydney Case, the transformation occurred because, "people are not afraid to dream, and then they back those dreams up with their own blood, sweat, and tears."
Another example of a winning initiative came from the 39 Cities and Towns of Rhode Island, which won a $3,500 first place prize for cities and towns with a population under 50,000. This prize recognized a statewide initiative to make all polling places accessible. In Rhode Island 72% of the polling places were found to be accessible. As a result of this statewide initiative, the barriers to access at the remaining 28% of the facilities were removed.
The N.O.D./UPS Community Awards Competition is open to all communities (i.e. towns, cities and counties) in the United States and its territories. Judging is conducted by a panel of disability experts that critiques the local programs for quality, effectiveness and impact on the community and for potential as a model for other communities. All communities are eligible for the $10,000 Grand Prize, which is awarded to the best overall competition entry.
CPP Promotes N.O.D.'s Agenda
N.O.D. involves Community and State Representatives in other aspects of its work. In 1999 Community and State Representatives helped invite places of worship to join N.O.D.'s Accessible Congregations Campaign. (See page 11 for more information.) In addition, Community and State Representatives were 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.
In 2000, 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 1999 N.O.D./UPS Community Awards Competition
- GRAND PRIZE
- Russellville,Arkamsas
- $10,000
CITIES AND TOWNS OVER 50,000 POPULATION
- First Place
- $3,500
- Second Place
- Somerville, Massachusetts
- $2,000
- Third Place
- Minneapolis,Minnesota
- $1,000
CITIES AND TOWNS UNDER 50,000 POPULATION
- First Place
- The 39 Cities and Towns of Rhode Island
- $3,500
- Second Place
- Corning, New York
- $2,000
- Third Place
- Hibbing, Minnesota
- $1,000
COUNTIES
- First Place
- St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
- $3,500
- Second Place
- Orange County, North Carolina
- $2,500
- Third Place
- Atlantic County, New Jersey
- $1,000
National Partnership Program
National Leadership and Local Action Make a Difference
Commitment and Recognition
The National Partnership Program (NPP) consists of 36 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. Each NPP member receives a $1,000 grant from N.O.D. to conduct a cash awards competition to recognize outstanding disability programs of local affiliates.
While membership in the NPP is by invitation only, N.O.D. welcomes letters of inquiry from national non-disability membership organizations with local chapters. NPP member organizations must be prepared to encourage meaningful activities that increase the participation of persons with disabilities through their organization.
Strengthened Partnerships
The newest member of the NPP is the Child Welfare League of America. CWLA's Acting Co-Executive Director Shirley Marcus Allan stated,"participating in the awards process has confirmed for us that many CWLA member agencies are providing excellent services to children with disabilities."
In 1999 it was announced that Aetna would become the new program sponsor starting in 2000. NPP will continue to be an effective catalyst for increasing the contributions of people with disabilities in society.
1999 NPP Partners
- The 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
- The American Institute of Architects
- American Lawyers Auxiliary
- American Library Association
- The American Legion
- The American Legion Auxiliary
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
- Boy Scouts of America
- Boys and Girls Clubs of America
- Camp Fire Boys and Girls
- Child Welfare League of America
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- General Federation of Women's Clubs
- League of Women Voters
- National Association of Counties
- National Association of Home Builder's Multifamily Council
- National Association of Independent Schools
- National Association of Secondary School Principals
- National Association of Towns and Townships
- National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities
- National Foundation for Women Legislators
- National 4-H Council
- National School Boards Association
- Older Women's League
- Pilot International Foundation
- Sister Cities International
- Telephone Pioneers of America
- Travelers Aid International
- The United States Conference of Mayors
- 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 ten times in national and regional editions in 1999. By recognizing CEOs and other top executives, N.O.D. encourages them and their companies to make the employment of people with disabilities a corporate priority.
The Chairman of the CEO Council is J. Harold Chandler, Chairman, President and CEO of UnumProvident Corporation. He succeeded Harold McGraw III, Chairman, President and CEO of McGraw-Hill Companies who honored the Council by serving as Chairman from 1995-1998.
Raising Awareness
In 1999, N.O.D. co-sponsored two corporate diversity conferences with the Conference Board, the nation's leading business membership and research organization. In each of these conferences, N.O.D. made presentations on how the hiring of people with disabilities contributes to overall business success.
In 2000, N.O.D. will renew this partnership with the Conference Board, and through the CEO Council, will continue to engage business leaders as advocates on behalf of people with disabilities through their support of N.O.D.'s programs.
Start on Success Student Internship Program
Opportunities for Young People with Disabilities
"I feel privileged to have been part of such a great program. Start on Success gave me the self-confidence I never really had to function in a work environment. I can't express enough how this program has helped me." — Sean Jaquette, SOS Intern in Alabama
Paid Internships with Local Employers
By offering high school students with disabilities work experience through paid internships the Start on Success (SOS) program helps combat the high unemployment as well as the underemployment of people with disabilities. By receiving an early introduction to the workforce, these young people, who have a range of physical, mental and/or sensory disabilities can acquire the skills and confidence needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market. Since the program started eight years ago, SOS has placed over 300 high school students with disabilities in paid internships that reflect their career interests.
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.
An example of how the SOS program truly provides a "start on success" for students is the Philadelphia program, which was evaluated in 1999 by the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education. This study revealed that over 80% of the SOS interns (of which there have been nearly 150 in Philadelphia) have gone on to further employment, continued education, training, or a combination of these.
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 radio station, law school admissions office, hospital, nursing home, fitness gym and large corporation. 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, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and throughout Alabama and Ohio.
Leading Program Sponsors
- Alcoa Foundation
- Allegheny Teledyne Inc. Charitable Trust
- Annie E. Casey Foundation
- Bayer Foundation
- The Bell Atlantic Foundation
- Frick Fund of the Buhl Foundation
- Consolidated Natural Gas Company Foundation
- Duquesne Light Company
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
- The Grable Foundation
- J.C. Stewart Memorial Trust
- The J.M. Foundation
- The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
- Mine Safety Appliance Co. Charitable Foundation
- PPG Industries Foundation
- T. Rowe Price Associates Foundation, Inc.
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation
- Frederick Whittemore
Religion and Disability Program
Houses of Worship Should be Welcoming and Accessible
"No, my friends, a ramp is not enough. We must be about the business of disregarding old attitudes about people with disabilities and open ourselves to their potential." — Ginny Thornburgh, Director, N.O.D. Religion and Disability Program, addressing Wesley United Methodist Church, Bethlehem, PA.
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 1999, twenty-seven were held. These community-building conferences in locations from Teaneck, New Jersey to Sacramento, California and from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Fort Lauderdale, Florida foster dialogue among people with disabilities, concerned citizens and religious leaders as they work to improve access in their congregations.
Accessible Congregations Campaign
In 1999, the Religion and Disability Program continued its nationwide Accessible Congregations Campaign, the goal of which is to recruit 2,000 committed congregations in 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." Ninety-seven 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 commit to removing barriers. At the end of 1999, there were 970 committed congregations.
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 2000, 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 December 31, 2000.
VOTE! 2000 Campaign
People with Disabilities Must Exercise Their Voting Power
"We are the sleeping giant of American politics" — Jim Dickson, N.O.D. Vice President and Director of the Vote! 2000 Campaign
Reversing Low Voter Turnout
In 1999 N.O.D. announced a new program - the N.O.D. Vote! 2000 Campaign. This program has three objectives: to increase by 700,000 the number of voters with disabilities in the year 2000 elections; to conduct a non-partisan get-out-the-vote campaign; and to increase polling place accessibility for all persons with disabilities.
This program was established because people with disabilities vote at a rate of 20 percent below that of non-disabled voters. Poor voter turnout among the disability population is partly a result of low registration rates. Most disability service providers are not complying with the National Voter Registration Act (The Motor Voter Law), which requires them to offer voter registration to their clients. Another reason for low voter turnout is that disability issues seldom surface in election campaigns. Finally, the Federal Election Commission reports that there are more than 20,000 inaccessible polling places nationwide. N.O.D. Vice President, Jim Dickson is leading this campaign. An Advisory Committee has been established which includes former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, and N.O.D. Board Member and Chairman of the Harris Poll, Humphrey Taylor.
N.O.D. has published a guide to polling place accessibility that the Federal Elections Commission will distribute to local election officials nationwide in Spring 2000. N.O.D. is also publishing a get-out-the-vote manual for agencies that serve people with disabilities. Both these publications will be available on the N.O.D. website.
Rendezvous with Destiny Campaign
A Statue of FDR in a Wheelchair to be Added to Memorial
"To some generations much is given. To others, much is demanded. This generation has a rendezvous with destiny." — President Franklin D. Roosevelt
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 initiated and led a campaign to add a statue of President Roosevelt to the Memorial. After two years of letter writing, lobbying, and public protests, Congress passed legislation that was signed into law by President Clinton on July 24, 1997 calling for an addition to the Memorial of a statue of FDR in a wheelchair.
Successful Fundraising and Lobbying
The legislation called for funding of the statue to come from the private sector. N.O.D. has raised the needed funds totaling approximately $1.65 million for the statue. N.O.D. formed the "Rendezvous with Destiny" Campaign Committee, which was led by Co-Chairs, Anne Roosevelt, granddaughter of FDR, and Michael Deland. Honorary Chairmen were Presidents Bush, Carter and Ford. Committee members included Kate Roosevelt Whitney, Christopher Roosevelt and Christopher Reeve. In 1999 two $500,000 pledges were received for this initiative - from Peter Kovler, and from Gordon and Llura Gund.
In addition to raising the funds for the statue, N.O.D. was the primary lobbyist for securing the needed $3,000,000 for the construction of the new open-air room that will house the statue. And in late 1999, N.O.D. commissioned a group of scholars to recommend the inscriptions to be included in the new room. As a result of all of these efforts, and with continued cooperation with the National Park Service, the new room and statue are well on their way to completion.
N.O.D. is proud to help bring to reality the hopes of sixteen grandchildren of FDR who wrote: "The goal of the FDR Memorial must be to enable future generations to understand the whole man and the events and experiences that helped to shape his character. We believe 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
International Commitment to Full Participation
"...Awards such as the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award are important reminders of the needs of the disabled, of letting their voice be heard, particularly where decisions are being made which concern them." – President of Ireland, Mary McAleese
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 1999 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.
Ireland was selected as the recipient of the 1998 FDR International Disability Award. Ireland's President Mary McAleese received the Award on behalf of her nation at the U.N. in May 1999. To select the recipient nation, the World Committee coordinates the review of applications from nations by international disability experts. The recommendations of these experts are provided to the Board of Trustees of the Roosevelt Institute for final decision.
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 1999. Through their support they are helping to expand the participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of American life.
General Donors to N.O.D.
- Century Club
- $100,000 and above
- BusinessWeek The Deland Family (Mrs. Susan Reeves Deland and Mr. Michael Reeves Deland)
- Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Gund
- The J.C. Penney Company, Inc.
- Mr. Peter B. Kovler
- Microsoft Corporation
- UnumProvident Corporation
- Patrons
- $50,000 to $99,999
- American Express
- The Charles Engelhard Foundation
- Roger S. Firestone Foundation
- Mrs. Helen Jean Secondari
- The Scaife Family Foundation
- The UPS Foundation
- Lucy R. Waletzky, MD
- Benefactors
- $25,000 to $49,999
- Compaq Computer Corporation
- Elan Corporation
- Mr. Stephen Feinberg & Ms. Susan Foote
- Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
- W. K. Kellogg Foundation
- The McGraw-Hill Companies
- Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
- The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
- Mr. Jeffrey P. Reich
- Mr. Laurence S. Rockefeller
- Dr. Judith P. Sulzberger
- Mr. Frederick Whittemore
- < to $10,000 ->
- Alcoa
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation
- Bank of America Corporation
- DaimlerChrysler Corporation
- Eastman Kodak Company
- Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
- Gannett Broadcasting
- The Grable Foundation
- Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Hammerman
- Mrs. Marian S. Heiskell
- Household International, Inc.
- Johnson and Johnson
- The JM Foundation
- Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
- Pfizer, Inc.
- Potomac Electric Power Company
- Mr. E. John Rosenwald, Jr.
- Sage Foundation
- J.C. Stewart Memorial Trust
- Mr. John Whitehead
- Mr. & Mrs. William Wraith IV
- Partners
- $5,000 to $9,999
- Allstate Insurance Company
- Ameritech
- Mr. Phillip E. Beekman
- The Bell Atlantic Foundation
- Champion Enterprises, Inc.
- Chase Manhattan Bank
- Citigroup
- C.N.A. Group Benefits
- Countee, Countee & Associates
- The Honorable Robert J. Dole
- Dow, Lohnes & Albertson, PLLC
- Glaxo-Welcome
- GTE Corporation
- Hartford Life
- Kellogg Company
- Kemper Insurance Companies
- Je H. Kim, Ph.D.
- Marriott International, Inc.
- Mobil Corporation
- New York Stock Exchange
- Northrup Grumman Corporation
- Mr. Robert C. Pew, II
- PPG Industries, Inc.
- Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
- Mr. David Rockefeller, Jr.
- Mr. & Mrs. Miles L. Rubin
- Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons, Inc.
- The Mary D.B.T. Semans Foundation
- Steelcase, Inc.
- T. Rowe Price
- Walmart Stores, Inc.
- Ms. Kate Roosevelt Whitney
- Wm. Wrigley, Jr. Company
- Wynd Communications
- Xerox Corporation
- Associates
- $1,000 to $4,999
- ABC, Inc.
- Advocate Health & Hospital Co.
- Alex Lee, Inc.
- Allegheny Teledyne
- American Association of Retired Persons
- American Home Products Corporation
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Amgen, Inc.
- Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
- Archer Daniels Midland Company
- Bayer Foundation
- Benjamin Moore & Co.
- Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
- Brinker International, Inc.
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Buhl Foundation
- The Frances and Townsend Burden Foundation
- The Honorable George Bush
- Chevron Corporation
- The CIT Group, Inc.
- Mr. & Mrs. Howard Clery, Jr.
- Comcast Corporation
- Consolidated Natural Gas Company Foundation
- Craig Hospital
- Crestar Financial Corporation
- Deloitte & Touche LLP
- Deluxe Corporation
- Dexter Corporation
- The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
- Duquesne Light
- Easter Seals
- Epilepsy Foundation
- Mr. John D. Firestone
- Gallaudet University
- Gannett Co., Inc.
- General Electric Company
- Genetech, Inc.
- The Gillette Company
- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- Graybar Electric
- Ms. Candice J. Hammett
- Henry Ford Health System
- Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Hilton Hotels Corporation
- Howrey & Simon
- Hunton & Williams
- Huntsman Corporation
- Ingersoll-Rand Company
- J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc
- John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company
- Mr. & Mrs. Martin Keane
- Keebler Company
- KeySpan Energy
- Mrs. Ingrid Rockefeller Kirkland
- Kmart Corporation
- L.A. Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities
- March of Dimes
- Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
- Ms. Kelsey Marshall
- Matsushita Electrical Company of America
- May and Stanley Smith Trust
- The May Department Stores Company
- Mr. Harold McGraw III
- Mine Safety Appliance Company
- Ambassador and Mrs. Alfred Moses
- Motorola, Inc.
- New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Northeast Utilities
- Olin Corporation
- Oxford League, Inc.
- Pitney Bowes, Inc.
- Mrs. Bess S. Posner
- The Procter & Gamble Company
- The Prudential Insurance Co., Inc.
- Mr. & Mrs. Charles Queenan
- The Riggs National Bank of Washington
- Ms. Nancy K. Robson
- Rockwell International
- Mr. Christopher D. Roosevelt
- The Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose Foundation
- Michael T. Rose Companies
- Mr. Vincent A. Sarni
- Shaklee Corporation
- Mr. & Mrs.Terrence Sheehy
- Shell Oil Company
- Slade Gorton & Co. Ltd.
- Sprint
- State Farm Insurance Companies
- Bennett Stein, MD
- Mr. W. Reid Thompson
- Tribune Broadcasting Company
- ULLICO, Inc.
- Warner-Lambert Company
- Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering
- Worthington Industries
- Friends
- $100 to $999
- Adjustment Training Center, Inc.
- Ms. Angelina P. Barrett
- Ms. Ann-Carolyn Bennett
- Dr. & Mrs. Henry Betts
- Richard Bishop, Esq.
- Mr. and Mrs. John J. Boyle, Jr.
- The Brant Family Trust
- Ms. Judith Ann Brewer
- Mr. & Mrs. Henry Cashen, II
- Center for People with Disabilities (Boulder, Colorado)
- Christian Retreat Center, Inc. (Warrenton, Oregon)
- CNA Insurance Companies Foundation
- Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois
- Conrad Cafritz Charitable Trust
- Dr. Philip A. Deffer
- Disability International Foundation
- Endependence Center of Northern Virginia, Inc.
- Dr. & Mrs. John R. Fisk
- Ms. Helen H. Ford
- Forks Handicapped Club
- Mr. Bruce Freeman
- Mr. Douglas J. Friauf
- Mr. Hugh Gregory Gallagher
- Mr. & Mrs. George H. Gallup, Jr.
- Goodwill Industries International
- Mr. & Mrs. Peter and Nancy Hildebrand
- Ms. Geneva M. Hoyman
- Independence First
- Lois Kaggen, Ph.D.
- Dr. & Mrs. Young Woo Kang
- Lakewood Women's Club
- Mr. Robert A. Lawrence
- Mr. Walter Lestarczky
- Michigan Polio Network, Inc.
- National Association of Developmental Disability Councils
- National Council on Independent Living
- Northern Regional Center for Independent Living
- Mr. & Mrs. Donald O'Kieffe
- Options for Independence, Inc.
- Ms. Carol Poore
- Post Polio Group of Palm Beach County
- Mr. Leonard R. Powers
- Mr. & Mrs. Carmelo Raimondo
- Mr. & Mrs. Alan A. Reich
- Ms. Maggie Roffee
- Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Roman
- Mr. & Mrs. Alan A. Rubin
- Mr. & Mrs. Richard O. Salsgiver
- San Diego Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Mr. & Mrs. Laurence Short
- Sprint
- Tampa Women's Club
- Mr. & Mrs. Humphrey Taylor
- Mr. Philip P. Thorpe
- Rev. & Mrs. John Twiname
- United Way of the National Capital Area
- Mr. Richard Warrender
- Wayne Presbyterian Church (Wayne, PA)
- Ms. Eunice West
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
- 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
- J. Harold Chandler, Chairman, President and CEO, UnumProvident Corporation
- Tony Coelho
- Richard M. DeVos, N.O.D. Founding Chairman, Retired President, Amway Corp.
- Edward Eckenhoff, President and CEO
- National Rehabilitation Hospital
- Stephen L. Feinberg, Chairman and CEO, Dorsar Industries
- John D. Firestone, Partner, Secor Group
- Bruce G. Freeman, Retired Chairman, Marts & Lundy, Inc.
- Stephen L. Hammerman, Vice Chairman of the Board, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
- Young Woo Kang, Ph.D., President, International Education and Rehabilitation Exchange Foundation
- Peter B. Kovler
- William J. Kupper, President and Publisher, Business Week
- Kelsey Marshall, Advocate for Accessibility
- Harold McGraw III, Chairman, 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.
- John W. Patten, Retired President, Business Week Group
- Itzhak Perlman
- Jeffrey P. Reich, President and CEO, Reicher Capital Management, Inc.
- Kenneth Roman, Former Chairman and CEO, Ogilvy & Mather
- E. John Rosenwald, Jr., Vice Chairman, Bear Stearns & Co.
- Alan Rubin, Director, Goodwill Global
- Richard Salem, Esq., Chairman, Enable America
- Vincent A. Sarni, Retired Chairman and CEO, PPG Industries, Inc.
- Raymond Philip Shafer, Former Governor of Pennsylvania, Counselor, Dunaway & Cross
- Humphrey Taylor, Chairman, The Harris Poll, Harris Interactive, Inc.
- W. Reid Thompson, Retired Chairman, Potomac Electric Power Company
- Jack Valenti, President and CEO, Motion Picture Association of America, Inc.
- Hon. Wellington E. Webb, Mayor, City of Denver, President, U.S. Conference of Mayors
- 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. Judd Gregg, NH
- 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




