00 R' S co 0 C) ct a 'Na.441"A IP 0 Nd ..../ i' ? f/T rn m... ' 0 'O. 04 I.' a r.... 71A- ,:--- 0- -9‹.4,7.. OF T HE 71; fitigie\ No. 8203137 MAR 2 2 RECO Texas Governor's Committee on Employment of The Handicapped William P. Clements, Jr., Governor - Justin W. Dart, Jr., Chairperson Virginia Roberts, Executive Director 118 East Riverside Drive, Austin, Texas 7870 Te!ephone (512) WM:2W( TDD (512))447.4844( 445-8276 1A 4a. Date: arch 22, 198 To: Polly Sowell, Dary Stone From: Justin Dart A41012 Ai"41.4N114L•P 4o)i I have just completed a series of meetings with TV and newspape executives and representatives of the disabled and rehabilitation communities in El Pas?,‘114: Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, Austin, San Antonio, Wichita Falls, Fort Worth, Dallas, Marshall, Longview, Tyler, Waco, Temple, Bryan/ College Station, Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo. I have personally carried the Governor's disability-related PSA to all TV market areas and have, of course, spoken of the Governor's progressive policies in regard to his administration's relationships with the disabled community. It is my perception that many persons--especially liberal media executives and representatives of the disabled and rehabilitation communities--have a vague impression that the Governor's actions and policies are negative to the interests of disabled and disadvantaged people. However this impression does not seem to be based on any particular issue or set of facts, so that when I have mentioned specific positives from my own experience, most have seemed interested and receptive. One rehabilitation facilty director stated, "This has changed my perception of the Governor; this is the first time I have heard any concrete facts from someone who is in a position to know." I suspect that the fact that I, as a representative of the Governor, had travelled to meet with individuals and listen to their ideas and needs, contributed to the receptive atmosphere. I would suggest additional focus on this area during the campaign through both personal face-to-face/mail contact and the media. I am not really good at this type of communication, but we have people who are, including the Governor. Yours for a barrier flee society. Yn C.. 1981 — sxAN,A.. Gotatz INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS
