[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62167-62168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25467]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 193 / Friday, October 4, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62167]]


                Proclamation 7600 of 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.

[[Page 62168]]

                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.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-25467
Filed 10-3-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P