Clinton pushes to help disabled bridge 'digital divide'

From staff and wire reports

FLINT, Michigan (CNN) -- President Clinton announced new steps Thursday to help disabled Americans enjoy the benefits of information technology that have propelled the U.S. economy in recent years.

It is the latest in a series of steps Clinton has proposed to close the gap between people who have access to computers and those who do not.

"If we want to keep the rest of the economy growing, we have to make information technology more accessible," Clinton said. "It's responsible for about 30 percent of the economic growth we've enjoyed over the last eight years, and we have to bring more people into the circle of opportunity to work in information fields.

"That means people with disabilities have to be able to enter the 21st Century work force -- not only for your own benefit, but for the rest of America as well," he said.

Clinton's proposals would encourage high-tech companies and universities to invest millions of dollars in programs aimed at the disabled. He announced a commitment from the leaders of 45 high-tech companies -- including industry giants like Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, America Online and Hewlett-Packard -- to promote greater accessibility of information and communications products.

Clinton announces plans to ensure more of the millions of Americans with disabilities can join the Information Age

He announced $16 million in grants for the Department of Education to promote information technology programs for the disabled, and another $9 million was earmarked for AmeriCorps volunteers to provide computer training for Americans with disabilities.

Clinton also announced he would support a blue-ribbon panel, led by the Flint-based C.S. Mott Foundation, to find ways to make those advances affordable, and order the Cabinet of explore ways of using Medicare and Medcaid to help pay for technologies that promote independent living.

The president spoke after a visit to the nonprofit Disability Network in Flint, the Michigan town devastated by the auto industry's retrenchment in the 1970s and 80s.

"Flint has worked hard against tough odds to bring this city back, to prepare for a new century," Clinton said. "I am quite sure the people I visited today ... have played a major role in the resurgence of this fine community."

VIDEO Clinton wants better technology access for disabled Americans: Part 1 Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Watch Part 2 Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES The Department of Justice's Web Page Accessibility Checklist Determine whether your Web site falls within federal guidelines. National Council on Disability Take advantage of this federal advocacy group's reports and explanations of federal laws. American Disabled for Attended Programs Today Catch up on disability-related issues and lobbying activities. CanDo.com Receive advice from medical experts, and read articles on travel, politics and product information.

But he said, "There are people and places who have been left behind, including millions of Americans with significant disabilities who want to go to work, but whose path is blocked."

At the Disability Network's facilities, Clinton got to see devices that aid the disabled in using computers, including equipment to help the blind, the deaf and people with muscular and nerve disorders such as amyotropic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

"These kinds of innovations make a tremendous difference in people's lives," Clinton said.

White House economic specialist Tom Kalil said the steps would help universities and non-profit groups "ensure that people with disabilities are full participants in the benefits of information technology."

The White House estimates that about a quarter of the 54 million Americans with disabilities Americans have access to a computer at home, compared to about 52 percent without disabilities. Only 31 percent of working-age Americans with severe disabilities have jobs, compared to roughly 80 percent of citizens those without disabilities.

Clinton also planned to use his trip to raise some for the Democratic Party in Michigan, a November battleground. With its 18 electoral votes, Michigan is leaning toward Vice President Al Gore in recent presidential preference polls.

Reuters contributed to this report.