Bush Proclamation of Nat'l Dis. Employment Awareness Month
Troy Justesen of the White House Domestic Policy Council
<NFI@WhiteHouse.Gov> writes:
As many of you know, October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
This year President George W. Bush issued the proclamation below celebrating
this month and the achievements we have all made in furthering our basic civil
rights as people with disabilities. The President's New Freedom Initiative is a
significant effort to build on past success and increase our opportunities,
including integrating people with disabilities into the workforce, increasing
access to technology; and expanding educational opportunities for all people
with disabilities to ensure full integration in American society.
As part of this month's activities, October 16th is National Disability
Mentoring Day. The Administration is actively involved in celebrating this day
to increase work experiences of young people with disabilities by offering
mentees the chance to work at all levels of the Administration. In Washington,
the Departments of Labor, Transportation, and Education and the Social Security
Administration are hosting the day's events that will begin with an early
morning kick-off conference in the Reagan Building. The White House is also
participating in this important event. Among other White House positions, I will
have a young person spend the day with me learning what a day at the White House
is like serving the President.
If you have questions about National Disability Mentoring Day, please call the
Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor at
202-693-7880 voice or 202-693-7881 TTY.
Thank you,
Troy Justesen
Associate Director for Domestic Policy
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 1, 2002
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2002
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
All of our citizens should have the opportunity to live and work with Dignity
and freedom. Every October, we observe National Disability Employment Awareness
Month, to recognize the talents, skills, and dedication of disabled Americans
who are a vital part of our workforce. During this month, we reaffirm our
commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities who want to work can
receive the training they need to achieve their goal.
This year marks the 12th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (ADA). The ADA has allowed disabled persons to participate more fully in
our society; and it has opened doors for countless Americans by removing
barriers, improving employment opportunities, expanding government services, and
regulating public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. Much
work remains to be done; for many individuals with disabilities still find it
difficult to pursue an education, obtain a job, or own a home.
My Administration remains committed to helping America's more than 50 Million
disabled persons to obtain meaningful work and to achieve the ADA's promise of
equality of opportunity, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. Last
year, I announced my New Freedom Initiative to promote these goals. It is a
comprehensive plan that fosters the full participation of people with
disabilities in all aspects of American life. This initiative provides increased
access to innovative assistive technologies, expands educational options,
increases access to gainful employment, and promotes full access to community
life.
My Administration continues to enforce the ADA and is working with employers to
build partnerships that support creative job accommodations and provide all
Americans with meaningful and successful careers. Breaking down barriers
requires this kind of cooperative, sustained, and consistent effort. We must
continue to work for an America where all individuals are respected for who they
are, celebrated for their abilities, and encouraged to realize their full
potential and achieve their dreams.
By joint resolution approved August 11, 1945, as amended (36 U.S.C. 121), the
Congress has, each year since 1945, called upon this Nation to recognize the
contributions that workers with disabilities have made, and requested the
President to issue a proclamation calling for appropriate ceremonies and
activities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do
hereby proclaim October 2002 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
I call upon all government leaders, labor leaders, and employers to collaborate
to ensure the full inclusion of our Nation's persons with disabilities in the
21st century workforce.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in
the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #
=====================
JUSTICE FOR ALL -- A Service of theAmerican Association of People with
Disabilities
www.aapd-dc.org
www.jfanow.org
There's strength in numbers! Be a part of a national coalition
of people with disabilities and join AAPD today.
www.aapd-dc.org
Last Updated on
02/20/2005
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