[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 236 (Thursday, December 8, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 76601-76602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31620]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 236 / Thursday, December 8, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 76601]]

                Proclamation 8763 of December 2, 2011

                
International Day of Persons With Disabilities, 
                2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                 A Proclamation

                On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we 
                recommit to ensuring people living with disabilities 
                enjoy full equality and unhindered participation in all 
                facets of our national life. We recognize the myriad 
                contributions that persons with disabilities make at 
                home and abroad, and we remember that disability rights 
                are universal rights to be recognized and promoted 
                around the world.

                For decades, America has been a global leader in 
                advancing the rights of people with disabilities. From 
                the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to the 
                Twenty-First Century Communications and Video 
                Accessibility Act, which I signed last year, we have 
                striven to bring the American dream and comprehensive 
                opportunities in education, health care, and employment 
                within reach for every individual. These actions--made 
                possible only through the tireless and ongoing efforts 
                of the disability community--affirm our commitment to 
                an equitable and just society where every American can 
                play a part in securing a prosperous future for our 
                Nation.

                To fulfill this promise not only in America, but around 
                the world, my Administration is putting disability 
                rights at the heart of our Nation's foreign policy. 
                With leadership from the Department of State and the 
                United States Agency for International Development, we 
                are collaborating across governments and in close 
                consultation with the global disability community to 
                expand access to education, health care, HIV/AIDS 
                prevention and treatment, and other development 
                programs. In 2009, we signed the Convention on the 
                Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which seeks to 
                ensure persons with disabilities enjoy the same rights 
                and opportunities as all people. If ratified, the 
                Convention would provide a platform to encourage other 
                countries to join and implement the Convention, laying 
                a foundation for enhanced benefits and greater 
                protections for the millions of Americans with 
                disabilities who spend time abroad.

                We know from the historic struggle for disability 
                rights in the United States that disability inclusion 
                is an ongoing effort, and many challenges remain in 
                securing fundamental human rights for all persons with 
                disabilities around the world. On International Day of 
                Persons with Disabilities, we press forward, renewing 
                our dedication to embrace diversity, end 
                discrimination, remove barriers, and uphold the rights, 
                dignity, and equal opportunity of all people.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim December 3, 2011, as 
                International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I call 
                on all Americans to observe this day with appropriate 
                ceremonies, activities, and programs.

[[Page 76602]]

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

[FR Doc. 2011-31620
Filed 12-7-11; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P