[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 202 (Thursday, October 17, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 54077-54078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26836]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 202 / Thursday, October 17, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 54077]]

                Proclamation 6941 of October 14, 1996

                
White Cane Safety Day, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In the summer of 1996, the remarkable display of 
                athletic excellence at the Tenth Paralympic Games in 
                Atlanta, Georgia, inspired viewers around the world. 
                Athletes from across our country, including many who 
                are blind or visually impaired, participated in these 
                games. The tenacity and commitment to excellence that 
                these athletes showed in Atlanta are rich resources for 
                our Nation. From their performance in the Paralympics, 
                and indeed from their many contributions throughout our 
                Nation's history, blind and visually impaired Americans 
                have demonstrated how much they have to contribute.

                Individuals with disabilities, like all people, use 
                many tools in their everyday lives, some simple and 
                some technologically sophisticated. The tool most 
                commonly used by blind and visually impaired people is 
                the white cane. This basic instrument enables them to 
                detect obstacles, steps, drop-offs, and changes in 
                surface textures. The independence that blind and 
                visually impaired people gain through the use of the 
                white cane enriches their lives--and those of all 
                Americans--by allowing them to participate fully in and 
                contribute generously to our society.

                Blind and visually impaired individuals make valuable 
                contributions to our society and our economy. But they 
                need more than the white cane to achieve their full 
                potential; they also need equal opportunity and 
                protection from discrimination. That is why we must 
                continue to vigorously enforce the Americans with 
                Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination 
                against blind and visually impaired people and those 
                with other disabilities, and ensures them access to 
                services that all other Americans take for granted.

                To honor the numerous achievements of blind and 
                visually impaired individuals, and to recognize the 
                significance of the white cane as a symbol of their 
                freedom and independence in our society, the Congress 
                of the United States, by joint resolution approved 
                October 6, 1964, has designated October 15 of each year 
                as ``White Cane Safety Day,'' and authorized the 
                President to issue a proclamation in observance of this 
                commemoration.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 
                15, 1996, as White Cane Safety Day. I call upon the 
                people of the United States, government officials, 
                educators, and business leaders to observe this day 
                with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and

[[Page 54078]]

                of the Independence of the United States of America the 
                two hundred and twenty-first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-26836
Filed 10-16-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P