[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 60609-60610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24678]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 60609]]


                Proclamation 8876 of October 1, 2012

                
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 
                2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In the 22 years since the signing of the Americans with 
                Disabilities Act, we have made significant progress in 
                giving all Americans the freedom to make of our lives 
                what we will. Yet, in times of prosperity as well as 
                challenge, people with disabilities have had fewer 
                opportunities in our workplaces than those without. As 
                we work to revitalize our economy, it is essential that 
                each of us can bring our talents, expertise, and 
                passion to bear in the marketplace. But a stronger 
                economy is not enough; we must ensure not only full 
                participation, but also full opportunity. During 
                National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we 
                recognize the indispensable contributions people with 
                disabilities make in our economy and recommit to 
                building a country where each of us can realize the 
                full extent of our dreams.

                Because America's workforce should reflect the 
                diversity of its people--including people with 
                disabilities--my Administration remains committed to 
                helping our businesses, schools, and communities 
                support our entire workforce. To meet this challenge, 
                the Federal Government must be a model employer. That 
                is why I was proud to sign an Executive Order in 2010 
                that called on Federal agencies to increase 
                recruitment, hiring, and retention of people with 
                disabilities. In 2012, the Office of Personnel 
                Management reported on our progress, revealing that we 
                are moving toward meeting our goal of hiring an 
                additional 100,000 people with disabilities into the 
                Federal workforce over 5 years. Today, more people with 
                disabilities work for the Federal Government than at 
                any time in the past 20 years, and we are striving to 
                make it easier to get and keep those jobs by improving 
                compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

                All Americans are entitled to an accessible workplace, 
                a level playing field, and the same privileges, 
                pursuits, and opportunities as any of their family, 
                friends, and neighbors. This month, let us rededicate 
                ourselves to bringing down barriers and raising up 
                aspirations for all our people, regardless of 
                disability, so we may share in a brighter future 
                together.

                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 October 2012 as 
                National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge 
                all Americans to embrace the talents and skills that 
                individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces 
                and communities and to promote the right to equal 
                employment opportunity for all people.

[[Page 60610]]

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

[FR Doc. 2012-24678
Filed 10-3-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3