[Blindtlk] [Nfbmd] Fwd: Presidential Proclamation--Anniversary of theAmericans with Disabilities Act

[Steven Johnson]

Chris, not to correct you, but the sub-minimum wage issue  is just a part of
this as the greater event that this proclamation is addressing is the 21st
anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  After 21
years, Americans with disabilities still do face many forms of
discrimination both covert and overt, and I would be that almost every
person on this list can cite at least one example where they were
discriminated against because of no other than that they are blind.  This is
why the NFB and all of the Divisions work so hard to break down these
barriers that still exist in our society even 21 years later.
Unfortunately, the barriers that we most often encounter are not physical,
but rather attitudinal ones that are the more difficult to tear down.
Always good to see your posts my young friend!

Steve Johnson


-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 8:03 AM
To: Blind Talk list; NABS list; NFB history list; david.andrews at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindtlk] [Nfbmd] Fwd: Presidential Proclamation--Anniversary of
theAmericans with Disabilities Act

Hi all,

This is a Presidential Proclamation regarding subminimum wages, written by
President Obama.  The attached proclamation is a PDF, so the text is pasted
below the message.  Dave, if you feel it is appropriate, please post this to
the NFBNET-MEMBERS or NFBNET-MASTER list.

 Chris

"A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)

The I C.A.N.  Foundation helps visually impaired youth in Maryland have the
ability to confidently say "I can!" How? Click on this link to learn more
and to contribute: 
www.icanfoundation.info or like us on Facebook at I C.A.N.  
Foundation.



 Sent from my BrailleNote

 ---- Original Message ------
From: Matt Roberts <blindbikernfb at cfl.rr.com
Subject: [Nfbmd] Fwd: Presidential Proclamation--Anniversary of theAmericans
with Disabilities Act Date sent: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:41:44 +0000

I'm sending this to the list, because I don't think anyone has posted it
yet.  The attached file is a PDF file, so I'm pasting the text in the body
of this e-mail as well.

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release	July 25, 2011
ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 2011 ------- BY THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Generations of
Americans with disabilities have improved our country in countless ways.
Refusing to accept the world as it was, they have torn down the barriers
that prohibited them from fully realizing the American dream.  Their
tireless efforts led to the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), one of the most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation in
our Nation's history.  On this day, we celebrate the 21st anniversary of the
ADA and the progress we have made, and we reaffirm our commitment to ensure
equal opportunity for all Americans.
Each day, people living with disabilities make immeasurable contributions to
the diversity and vitality of our communities.  
Nearly one in five Americans lives with a disability.  They are our family
members and friends, neighbors and colleagues, and business and civic
leaders.  Since the passing of the ADA, persons with disabilities are
leading fuller lives in neighborhoods that are more accessible and have
greater access to new technologies.  In our classrooms, young people with
disabilities now enjoy the same educational opportunities as their peers and
are gaining the tools necessary to reach their greatest potential.
Despite these advancements, there is more work to be done, and my
Administration remains committed to ending all forms of discrimination and
upholding the rights of Americans with disabilities.  The Department of
Justice continues to strengthen enforcement of the ADA by ensuring that
persons with disabilities have access to community-based services that allow
them to lead independent lives in the communities of their choosing.  Under
provisions of the Affordable Care Act, insurers will no longer be able to
engage in the discriminatory practice of denying coverage based on
pre-existing conditions, and Americans with disabilities will have greater
control over their health care choices.  And last year, I signed an
Executive Order establishing the Federal Government as a model employer for
individuals with disabilities, placing a special focus on recruitment and
retention of public servants with disabilities across Federal agencies.
Through the ADA, America was the first country in the world to
comprehensively declare equality for citizens with disabilities.  
To continue promoting these principles, we have joined in signing the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  At its core, this
Convention promotes equality.  
It seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same rights and
opportunities as all people, and are able to lead their lives as do other
individuals.
Eventual ratification of this Convention would represent another important
step in our forty-plus years of protecting disability rights.  It would
offer us a platform to encourage other countries to join and implement the
Convention.  Broad implementation would mean greater protections and
benefits abroad for millions of Americans with disabilities, including our
veterans, who travel, conduct business, study, reside, or retire overseas.
In encouraging other countries to join and implement the Convention, we also
could help level the playing field to the benefit of American companies, who
already meet high standards under United States domestic law.  Improved
disabilities standards abroad would also afford American businesses
increased opportunities to export innovative products and technologies,
stimulating job creation at home.
Equal access, equal opportunity, and the freedom to make of our lives what
we will are principles upon which our Nation was founded, and they continue
to guide our efforts to perfect our Union.  Together, we can ensure our
country is not deprived of the full talents and contributions of the
approximately 54 million Americans living with disabilities, and we will
move forward with the work of providing pathways to opportunity to all of
our people.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of
the United States, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, July 26, 2011, the
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  I encourage Americans
across our Nation to celebrate the 21st anniversary of this civil rights law
and the many contributions of individuals with disabilities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of
July, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA


--
Matt Roberts