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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 15, 2010
White Cane Safety Day, 2010
- - - - - - -
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The white cane, in addition to being a practical mobility tool, serves as a
symbol of dignity, freedom, and independence for individuals who are blind or
visually impaired. On White Cane Safety Day, our Nation celebrates the
immeasurable contributions the Americans who use canes have made as valued
members of our diverse country. We also examine our progress and recommit to
full integration, equality, education, and opportunity for Americans with visual
impairments.
Today, students with disabilities are reaching achievements considered
unattainable just a few decades ago. Many gains have been realized throughout
our educational system, but we must accomplish more so that America's
technological advances and assistive tools are available for the benefit of all
students. My Administration is committed to ensuring that electronic readers
and other electronic equipment used by schools, including postsecondary
institutions, are accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
We are also providing guidance and technical assistance to help colleges and
universities fully comply with the legal requirements to use emerging technology
that is accessible to all students in the classroom. Blindness and visual
impairments are not impediments to obtaining knowledge, and we must highlight
the availability of existing tools to facilitate communication and work to
improve access to them. Additionally, the Braille code opens doors of literacy
and learning to countless individuals with visual impairments across our country
and around the world, and we must work with advocates and leaders throughout our
society to promote and improve Braille literacy among our students.
Americans with disabilities are Americans first and foremost, entitled to
both full participation in our society and full opportunity in our economy. My
Administration is working to increase information access so Americans who are
blind or visually impaired can fully participate in our increasingly
interconnected world. To expand career options for people with disabilities in
the Federal Government, I signed an Executive Order directing executive
departments and agencies to design strategies to increase recruitment and hiring
of these valued public servants. I was also pleased to sign the Twenty-First
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act into law earlier this month
to ensure that the jobs of the future are accessible to all. This legislation
will make it easier for people who are deaf, blind, or live with a visual
impairment to use the technology our 21st-century economy depends on, from
navigating digital menus on a television to sending emails on a smart phone.
As we observe the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
this year, my Administration reaffirms our national commitment to creating
access to employment, education, and social, political, and economic
opportunities for Americans with disabilities. Together with individuals who
are blind or visually impaired, service providers, educators, and employers, we
will uphold our country as an inclusive, welcoming place for blind or visually
impaired people to work, learn, play, and live.
By joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964 (Public Law 88-628, as
amended), the Congress designated October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety
Day to recognize the contributions of Americans who are blind or have low
vision.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America,
do hereby proclaim October 15, 2010, as White Cane Safety Day. I call upon all
public officials, business and community leaders, educators, librarians, and
Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and
programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
# # #
The White House · 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW · Washington DC 20500 ·
202-456-1111
--
Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
<A href="http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/" target=_blank>http://www.autisticadvocacy.org</A>
<A href="mailto:info@autisticadvocacy.org">info@autisticadvocacy.org</A>
(202) 596-1056
------------------------------------------------
Take a look at our innovative new Public Service Announcement produced with the
Dan Marino Foundation at <A href="http://www.nomyths.org/" target=_blank>http://www.nomyths.org</A>
If you like what we do, help support the Autistic Self Advocacy Network by
making a donation at: <A href="https://www.change.org/donation/create?charity_id=211198" target=_blank>https://www.change.org/donation/create?charity_id=211198</A>
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