[nfbwatlk] FW: [Wcb-l] FW: [leadership] Presidential Proclamation - Blind Americans Equality Day, 2016

[Mike Freeman]

-----Original Message-----
From: Wcb-l [mailto:wcb-l-bounces at wcbinfo.org] On Behalf Of Sue Ammeter
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2016 8:53 AM
To: wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
Subject: [Wcb-l] FW: [leadership] Presidential Proclamation - Blind
Americans Equality Day, 2016



-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly Gasque via leadership [mailto:leadership at acblists.org]
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2016 7:21 AM
Subject: [leadership] Presidential Proclamation - Blind Americans Equality
Day, 2016

Presidential Proclamation - Blind Americans Equality Day, 2016

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Each day, blind and visually impaired Americans contribute to our society,
refusing to allow anything to hold them back. In order to ensure more
Americans with disabilities can continue participating fully in our country,
we must each do our part to promote equal opportunity for all. On Blind
Americans Equality Day, we reaffirm the inherent dignity of every human
being and recommit to forging a future in which all Americans, including
those with visual impairments, can pursue their full measure of happiness.

More than two decades ago, one of the most comprehensive civil rights bills
in our history, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), was signed into
law. Ever since, the ADA has helped reduce discrimination and promote equal
access to classrooms, workplaces, and transportation -- and it is imperative
that we build on the significant progress we have made for individuals
living with disabilities. Because the unemployment rate is more than twice
as high for Americans with disabilities, my Administration has worked to
improve employment opportunities, including within the Federal Government
where we are leading as a model employer. Last year, we hosted the White
House Summit on Disability and Employment, which provided resources to help
employers hire more individuals with disabilities. And through the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act, we expanded access to critical services for
many individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind or
visually impaired, so  that they can pursue high-quality employment
opportunities. People with disabilities deserve to live their lives in their
communities and raise their families, and earlier this year we hosted a
Forum on the Civil Rights of Parents with Disabilities because every family,
including those headed by people with disabilities, deserves the chance to
reach for a future of ever greater possibility.

Our Nation must continue to promote equal opportunity and the right of all
Americans to live full and independent lives. This begins early on -- we
must ensure that any child with a print disability can access the tools they
need to pursue an education. That is why we have worked to provide
appropriate materials and services, including Braille and Braille literacy
instruction, in schools. We are investing in technologies that provide
visually impaired students equal access to the general education curriculum.
We are also working to make the websites of Government agencies and private
companies more accessible to anyone with a disability -- an effort which
remains an important priority. And I have encouraged the Senate to ratify
the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who
Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled, which will
broaden access to a new world of knowledge for these individuals.

Disability touches us all, and together we can strive to ensure that all
blind and visually impaired individuals face no unnecessary barriers to
success. By providing equal access to resources and technologies and giving
everyone the chance to make of their lives what they will, we can continue
to advance opportunity and prosperity for all our people.

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. Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to being a Nation
where all our people, including those with disabilities, have every
opportunity to achieve their dreams.

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 October 15, 2016, as Blind Americans
Equality Day. I call upon public officials, business and community leaders,
educators, librarians, and Americans across the country to observe this day
with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
forty-first.

BARACK OBAMA

 

 
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