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EO 12640Executive OrderReagan · R

Executive Order 12640

The President's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities

This executive order establishes the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, replacing a 1969 predecessor committee. It creates a three-tier advisory structure (Committee, Executive Committee, and Advisory Council) to advise the President on maximizing employment opportunities for people with physical disabilities, mental retardation, and mental illness.

53 FR 16996
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Impact dates

  1. annual report to President

  2. at least one President's Committee meeting per calendar year

  3. at least two Executive Committee meetings per calendar year

Key directives

  • Establish President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
  • Establish Executive Committee of 15-30 members
  • Establish Advisory Council including cabinet secretaries and agency heads
  • Committee to advise President on employment opportunities for people with physical disabilities, mental retardation, and mental illness
  • Committee to report annually to President
  • Supersede Executive Order 11480
  • Transition all predecessor committee assets and personnel without further action

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Committee established
  • Executive Order 11480 superseded
  • transition of members, records, property, funds, and pending business from predecessor committee

Near term (90d)

  • Chairman to call at least one Committee meeting and two Executive Committee meetings per calendar year
  • annual reporting cycle begins

Long term

  • ongoing advisory role on disability employment policy
  • coordination with federal agencies on training and rehabilitation services

Risks & tensions

  • Terminology in original text ('mentally retarded,' 'handicapped') reflects 1988 usage, now considered outdated and potentially stigmatizing
  • Committee lacks regulatory or enforcement authority; purely advisory role may limit tangible employment outcomes
  • Dependency on voluntary cooperation from federal agencies and private sector may constrain effectiveness
  • Vague 'as may be appropriate' financing arrangements with Department of Labor create budgetary uncertainty
Executive Order 12640: The President's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities · Executive Orders