[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 58253-58254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25650]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 8, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 58253]]


                Proclamation 7712 of October 3, 2003

                
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 
                2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For Americans with disabilities, employment is vital to 
                independence, empowerment, and quality of life. During 
                National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we 
                recognize the many contributions citizens with 
                disabilities make to our society, and we reaffirm our 
                commitment to helping them achieve their full inclusion 
                in our workforce.

                Today, Americans with disabilities enjoy improved 
                access to education, government services, public 
                accommodations, transportation, telecommunications, and 
                employment opportunities. The landmark Americans with 
                Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) removed barriers and 
                enabled many individuals with disabilities to find more 
                opportunities to use their gifts and talents in the 
                workplace. This progress has made our Nation stronger, 
                more productive, and more just. People with 
                disabilities still encounter challenges, however, to 
                their full participation in American society.

                In February 2001, I launched the New Freedom Initiative 
                to address these challenges, to fulfill the promises of 
                the ADA, and to move toward an America where all our 
                citizens live and work with dignity and freedom. This 
                comprehensive plan is helping Americans with 
                disabilities learn and develop skills, engage in 
                productive work, make choices about their daily lives, 
                and participate fully in their communities.

                A key component of the New Freedom Initiative is our 
                commitment to integrate individuals with disabilities 
                into the workforce. We have made substantial progress 
                toward this goal. The Department of Justice has 
                established an ADA Business Connection, a series of 
                meetings between representatives of the business and 
                disability communities to open dialogue that will 
                promote greater understanding and increased voluntary 
                compliance with the ADA. Also, the Department of Health 
                and Human Services and the Social Security 
                Administration are implementing the landmark ``Ticket 
                to Work'' program that makes it possible for millions 
                of Americans with disabilities to no longer have to 
                choose between having a job and receiving health care. 
                And the Department of Labor has established two 
                national technical assistance centers on workforce and 
                disability that offer training, technical assistance, 
                and information to improve access for all in the 
                workforce development system.

                By working together to open doors of opportunity for 
                citizens with disabilities, we can help fulfill the 
                promise of our great Nation.

                To recognize the contributions of Americans with 
                disabilities and to encourage all citizens to help 
                ensure their full inclusion 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 
                2003 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. 
                I call upon government officials, labor leaders, 
                employers, and all the people of the United States to 
                observe this month with appropriate programs, 
                ceremonies, and activities.

[[Page 58254]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                third day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-25650
Filed 10-7-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P