[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 20, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 64619-64620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26646]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 75 , No. 202 / Wednesday, October 20, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 64619]]


                Proclamation 8588 of October 15, 2010

                
White Cane Safety Day, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The white cane, in addition to being a practical 
                mobility tool, serves as a symbol of dignity, freedom, 
                and independence for individuals who are blind or 
                visually impaired. On White Cane Safety Day, our Nation 
                celebrates the immeasurable contributions the Americans 
                who use canes have made as valued members of our 
                diverse country. We also examine our progress and 
                recommit to full integration, equality, education, and 
                opportunity for Americans with visual impairments.

                Today, students with disabilities are reaching 
                achievements considered unattainable just a few decades 
                ago. Many gains have been realized throughout our 
                educational system, but we must accomplish more so that 
                America's technological advances and assistive tools 
                are available for the benefit of all students. My 
                Administration is committed to ensuring that electronic 
                readers and other electronic equipment used by schools, 
                including postsecondary institutions, are accessible to 
                individuals who are blind or visually impaired. We are 
                also providing guidance and technical assistance to 
                help colleges and universities fully comply with the 
                legal requirements to use emerging technology that is 
                accessible to all students in the classroom. Blindness 
                and visual impairments are not impediments to obtaining 
                knowledge, and we must highlight the availability of 
                existing tools to facilitate communication and work to 
                improve access to them. Additionally, the Braille code 
                opens doors of literacy and learning to countless 
                individuals with visual impairments across our country 
                and around the world, and we must work with advocates 
                and leaders throughout our society to promote and 
                improve Braille literacy among our students.

                Americans with disabilities are Americans first and 
                foremost, entitled to both full participation in our 
                society and full opportunity in our economy. My 
                Administration is working to increase information 
                access so Americans who are blind or visually impaired 
                can fully participate in our increasingly 
                interconnected world. To expand career options for 
                people with disabilities in the Federal Government, I 
                signed an Executive Order directing executive 
                departments and agencies to design strategies to 
                increase recruitment and hiring of these valued public 
                servants. I was also pleased to sign the Twenty-First 
                Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act into 
                law earlier this month to ensure that the jobs of the 
                future are accessible to all. This legislation will 
                make it easier for people who are deaf, blind, or live 
                with a visual impairment to use the technology our 
                21st-century economy depends on, from navigating 
                digital menus on a television to sending emails on a 
                smart phone.

                As we observe the 20th anniversary of the Americans 
                with Disabilities Act this year, my Administration 
                reaffirms our national commitment to creating access to 
                employment, education, and social, political, and 
                economic opportunities for Americans with disabilities. 
                Together with individuals who are blind or visually 
                impaired, service providers, educators, and employers, 
                we will uphold our country as an inclusive, welcoming 
                place for blind or visually impaired people to work, 
                learn, play, and live.

[[Page 64620]]

                By joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964 (Public 
                Law 88-628, as amended), the Congress designated 
                October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day to 
                recognize the contributions of Americans who are blind 
                or have low vision.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 
                15, 2010, as White Cane Safety Day. I call upon all 
                public officials, business and community leaders, 
                educators, librarians, and Americans to observe this 
                day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
                programs.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. 
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-26646
Filed 10-19-10; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P