[nagdu] Presidential Proclamation for White Cane Safety Day

[Wayne Merritt]

For what it's worht, from my perspective as a technology teacher at a
state training center, the extra stimulous money is being put to good
use in training consumers how to use more devices and keeping current
with today's technology. Someone else will have to speak to the VR
viewpoint and such, but from what I've seen so far, things are
happening and going in the right direction.

Jmt,
Wayne

On 10/18/09, Tamara Smith-Kinney <tamara.8024 at comcast.net> wrote:
> Cool!  I noticed he also mentioned the need for access to existing tools.
> Now to convince the VR folks that all that extra funding they're getting
> should be spent on providing the tools, as well as the other stuff, to keep
> blind Americans working or to get them back to work or into the work force
> in the first place...  Those policy changes and the strong leadership at the
> top will go a long way towards turning things back around.
>
> Tami Smith-Kinney
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Danielsen, Chris (by way of David Andrews<dandrews at visi.com>)
> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 7:44 PM
> To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nagdu] Presidential Proclamation for White Cane Safety Day
>
>
> Dear Fellow Federationists:
>
>
> Below is the text of this year's White Cane
> Safety Day proclamation issued by President
> Obama.  As you will read, the proclamation
> highlights the importance of Braille
> literacy.  It is clear that our advocacy on this
> issue is having an impact on policy makers at the
> highest levels of our government.  We continue to
> accomplish great things for blind Americans.  Happy White Cane Safety Day!
>
>
>
> Sincerely:
>
>
>
> Chris Danielsen etc.
>
>
>
>
> 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 Administration is
> 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 these
> individuals 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
> existing tools.  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, by virtue of the
> authority vested in me by the Constitution and
> laws of the United States, 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.
>
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www.whitecaneday.org