News Release

Washington, D.C. – The Director of the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Kay Coles James, joined Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Secretary of Education Rod Paige, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez today to discuss progress on the President’s New Freedom Initiative and what OPM has been doing to fulfill its mandate.

“In announcing his New Freedom Initiative for Americans with Disabilities, President Bush affirmed his commitment to eliminating barriers to full and independent lives for every American,” James said. “The freedom to pursue careers and integrate into the workforce is an important part of the freedom the President envisions.”

“The President has made it clear that the Federal Government must be a model employer, demonstrating through its actions what it expects and trusts state and local governments to do, and illustrating to the private sector what is possible,” James added.

As the Federal Government’s Human Resources Agency, OPM has made significant progress over the past year in ensuring that qualified people with disabilities and employees who become disabled after appointment have equal opportunities to be placed, hired, and advanced.

OPM is providing proactive, governmentwide leadership to further open opportunities for Federal service to those with disabilities. By focusing on the Federal Government’s role as an employer, OPM is leveraging technology and benefits to attract members of the disability community into Federal service.

“This morning I gave the opening speech at the kickoff ceremonies for Public Service Recognition Week at the National Mall,” James concluded. “It is fitting that this event followed those ceremonies, because the Government is addressing a human capital crisis. The Federal Government is looking for America’s best and brightest. We want to remove every barrier so that individuals with disabilities know that the door is open and that they are welcome to come work for their country. As we work to bring in the best and the brightest, we must remember that the disability community can be a tremendous resource and those who are members of that community can be great assets.”

OPM oversees the Federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.