[nabs-l] Presidential Proclamation For White Cane Safety Day

[Darian Smith]

It's hitting  the lists like wild fire, and I am sorry  for posting it
so late.  That  said, here it is, you can find it also on the white
house website.
 One more thing... Let's just take a moment and reflect on the power
behind these words and just what message this sends.
   Darian
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-White-Cane-Safety-Day-2009/

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release                           October 15, 2009

WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

All Americans deserve the freedom to participate in every aspect of
our society and pursue their full measure of happiness. For blind
Americans, the white
cane is a potent symbol of that freedom -- affording them greater
independence and mobility. Today we renew our commitment to provide
full
inclusion and equal opportunities for those among us who are blind or
have low vision. As Americans, we must nurture a society that values
the unique abilities
and individual
contributions of all its people.

Individuals who are blind or have low vision are less constrained and
better integrated in our country than ever before, but much work
remains to ensure
they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. My
Administrationis committed to securing full and equal access to
education and
employment for blind Americans and all those with disabilities.The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act substantially increased funding
for the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act, as well as vocational rehabilitation
services,including job training, education, and placement.

For Americans who are blind or have low vision, a white cane is just
one of a wide range of tools that sustain independence and
productivity. In recent
years, refreshable Braille displays and speech synthesis devices have
given theseindividuals access to the Internet, unlocking a new
frontier of
limitless possibility. As we encourage the development of new
assistive technologies, we must also improve access to existingtools.
The Braille code has
opened a doorway to literacy for
countless individuals, but far too many blind children in our country
are not learning to read it. By improving Braille literacy, we will
secure a brighter
future for these young Americans.

In the 45 years since White Cane Safety Day was first proclaimed by
President Lyndon Johnson, Americans who are blind or have low vision
have achieved substantial
progress. As leaders in government and business, academics, and the
arts, they have made remarkable contributions to our Nation, proving
that sight is
no requisite for success. We will continue to strive for a more just
and equitable Nation that celebrates diversity in all its forms and
promotes the full
inclusion of
all individuals in our communities.

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, 2009, as White Cane Safety
Day. I call upon all
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 nine, and of the
Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA
# # #



-- 
"And if you will join me in this improbable quest, if you feel destiny
calling, and see as I see, a future of endless possibility stretching
before us;
if you sense, as I sense, that the time is now to shake off our
slumber, and slough off our fear, and make good on the debt we owe
past and future generations,
then I'm ready to take up the cause, and march with you, and work with
you. Together, starting today, let us finish the work that needs to be
done, and
usher in a new birth of freedom on this Earth."- Baraq Obama