[Title 3 CFR 7835]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - January 1, 2005 Edition]
[Title 3 - Presidential Documents]
[Proclamation 7835 - Proclamation 7835 of October 20, 2004]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


3Presidential Documents12005-01-012005-01-01false7835Proclamation 7835Presidential Documents
Proclamation 7835 of October 20, 2004

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans with disabilities are active and contributing members of our 
society, and they must have the opportunity to develop the skills they 
need to compete and obtain jobs in the 21st century workforce. By 
reducing physical barriers and false perceptions, our country meets our 
commitment to millions of Americans with disabilities, and benefits from 
their talents, creativity, and hard work.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) has brought about 
important progress in our Nation. Under my Administration's New Freedom 
Initiative, we continue to work to ensure that people with disabilities 
can participate fully in the workplace and all aspects of community 
life. Through funding for new technologies and innovative resources, we 
are changing old ways of thinking and fulfilling the Federal 
Government's commitment to opportunity for every citizen.
The New Freedom Initiative has helped enable individuals with 
disabilities to access assistive technologies. My Administration has 
invested in research and development for new technology. We have 
expanded the Department of Defense's Computer/Electronic Accommodations 
Program, which provides Federal employees with disabilities greater 
access to electronic and information technology. The Department of Labor 
launched DisabilityInfo.gov in 2002, an online resource that streamlines 
access to information about Federally sponsored employment, job 
accommodations, transportation, State and regional assistance programs, 
technology, and other programs relevant to the daily lives of 
individuals with disabilities.
We must foster a better understanding of ADA requirements and increase 
dialogue and cooperation between the business and disability 
communities. Through the New Freedom Small Business Initiative, the 
Department of

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Labor and the Small Business Administration are educating small business 
owners about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and helping 
adult workers with disabilities acquire the skills and resources needed 
to become small business owners. The Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission is releasing user-friendly information on how the ADA applies 
to particular disabilities in the workplace and providing free ADA 
workshops offering employment-related services and information sessions 
for small businesses. My Administration is implementing the ``Ticket to 
Work'' program, which allows Social Security and Supplemental Security 
Income disability beneficiaries who want to work to choose their own 
employment-related services. The Department of Labor and other agencies 
are also improving the capacity of community One-Stop Career Centers to 
provide training and employment services to people with disabilities.
To recognize the contributions of Americans with disabilities and to 
encourage all citizens to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce, the 
Congress, by joint resolution approved August 11, 1945, as amended (36 
U.S.C. 121), has designated October of each year as ``National 
Disability Employment Awareness Month.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim October 2004 as National Disability 
Employment Awareness Month. I call upon Government officials, labor 
leaders, employers, and the people of the United States to observe this 
month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
GEORGE W. BUSH