Stephen Hawking to President Clinton re: Augmentative Communication Devices

THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN 2-28.00 STEPHEN HAWKING 24 February 2000 President Bill Clinton, Wenning what cause mi? By The White House, Washington DC 20500 Dear Bill, I am very sorry that I missed you during your visit to Cal Tech. I had already arranged to give a popular lecture in Cupertino that day and there was no way I could cancel without great upset. I heard that you very generously mentioned me in your remarks as an example of what handicapped people can achieve and it is this that I am writing to you about. I gather that the Medicare programme is currently reviewing its policy on providing augmentative communication devices. I would urge you to use your influence to ensure that those in need, like I was, can be given such devices. Your help on this important issue would be much appreciated. I hope to be visiting Washington again in May and would enjoy calling on you again if your schedule permits. I will ask John McCaffrey to liaise with your office to see what might be possible. Give my best wishes to Hillary in her New York race. Warmest wishes Yours sincerely, copied Jennings Podesta Stephen Hawking, CH, CBE, FRS Lucasian Professor of Mathematics Centre for Mathematical Sciences I Cambridge University Cambridge CB3 OWA