The survey-sponsored by Aetna U.S. Healthcare and The JM Foundation-was unveiled by Senator Max Cleland (D-GA) at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol today. Senator Cleland called on all Americans to help close the gaps and accomplish the goal of the ADA - the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. "America must do more to release the talents and abilities of our citizens with disabilities who want to work, participate and contribute to the nation," stated Cleland, a Vietnam Veteran.

"Closing these gaps is a challenge for all Americans, not just those of us with disabilities," said N.O.D. President Alan A. Reich. "We take heart from the many hopeful signs in this Harris survey, indicating the success of the ADA. Among young people with and without disabilities, age 18-29, the employment gap is only 25% and narrowing. Large numbers of people with disabilities reported that conditions had improved for them during the past four years. This reflects intensive efforts by the disability community, employers, and community leaders, as well as advances in technology, and greater accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act is having an impact. We must all work to close the gaps. This is America's Disability Agenda in the new millennium."

Mr. Taylor commented, "The purpose of this research is not only to measure the gaps in key life areas between people with and without disabilities, but to provide a benchmark at the year 2000 for measuring future progress and to provide information to help close these gaps. I anticipate the results will be used by people both inside and outside the disability community, by the media, corporate America, legislators and state and federal administrators."

Harris Poll Chairman Humphrey Taylor, who directed surveys on the participation of people with disabilities in American life in 1986, 1994, and 1998 - highlighted the following gaps:

• Only 32% of disabled people of working age (18-64) work full or part-time compared to 81% of the non-disabled population, a gap of 49% points. More than two-thirds of those not employed say they would prefer to be working. However, among those who say they are able to work despite their disability, fully 56% are working, and the 25% gap (81% versus 56%) has narrowed steadily from 1994 when only 47% of this group were working.
• 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 (29% compared to 10%).
• People with disabilities are less likely to be registered to vote than people without disabilities (62% versus 78%).
• People with disabilities are almost three times as likely as people without disabilities to say that inadequate transportation is a problem (30% compared to 10%).