Transcript of Letter from Chairman Melvin J. Maas of the Presidents Committee on Employment of the Handicapped to President Kennedy

                                                                                             [HANDWRITTEN] Handicapped 8

THE PRESIDENT”S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF THE HANDICAPPED
Washington 25, DC
February 26, 1963
MAJ. GEN. MELVIN J. MAAS
USMCR, RET.
CHAIRMAN

[Stamped] THE WHITE HOUSE
FEB 27 9 35 AM ‘63
RECEIVED

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
THE SECRETARY OF LABOR
THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
THE ADMINISTRATOR OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PLANNING
THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

In light of your recent message on mental illness and mental retardation, I felt you would be interested in recent activities of the President’s Committee in broadening job opportunities for the mentally restored and mentally retarded.

We have just received a grant from the Ida S. Latz Foundation, Los Angeles, for the preparation of a Guide to Job Placement of the Mentally Restored. At present, there is nothing like this in existence.

The Bureau of Employment Security of the Department of Labor has agreed to finance a companion publication, a Guide to Job Placement of the Mentally Retarded, prepared for us by the National Association for Retarded Children- a “first” in its field.

At the recommendation of an Ad Hoc Committee of the President’s Committee, the Civil Service Commission and the National Association for Mental Health are designing a vast orientation program to acquaint Government supervisors at all levels with facts about the mentally ill and mentally restored. This program, it is felt, should help open new vistas for the mentally restored in the Federal Service.

Our Annual Meeting in Washington on May 9 and 10 will highlight employment of the mentally restored through a panel discussion, and employment of the mentally retarded through an excellent play, “These Are Not Children.”

I hope to keep you informed from time to time of other developments.

Cordially,
[SIGNED] Melvin J. Maas
Melvin J. Maas
Chairman