[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 46243-46244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18534]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 147 / Wednesday, July 31, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 46243]]

                Proclamation 8999 of July 25, 2013

                
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities 
                Act, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than two centuries ago, our forebears began an 
                unending journey to form a more perfect Union. Twenty-
                three years ago, we took a historic step down that path 
                with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)--a 
                landmark law that seeks to extend the promise of equal 
                opportunity enshrined in our founding documents.

                It promises equal access, from the classroom to the 
                workplace to the transportation required to get there. 
                It promises fairness, and the chance to live a full and 
                independent life. It affords Americans with 
                disabilities the protections they need to claim a 
                future worthy of their talents.

                Today, we celebrate the ADA's lasting legacy as a 
                pillar of civil rights. We also recognize that while 
                the law continues to move America forward, our march to 
                equality is not yet complete. Even now, barriers still 
                keep too many people with disabilities from fully 
                participating in our society and our workforce. Our 
                country suffers when our citizens are denied the chance 
                to strengthen our economy, support their families, and 
                fully participate in our American life.

                That is why my Administration is dedicated to leveling 
                the playing field for Americans with disabilities. We 
                are committed to making the Federal Government a model 
                employer by recruiting, hiring, and retaining more 
                workers with disabilities than at any time in our 
                Nation's history. In addition, we are working to 
                connect people with disabilities to jobs in every part 
                of our economy.

                To get those jobs, students with disabilities need an 
                education system that works for them. We must ensure 
                lessons are inclusive, assessments are fair, and 
                technology is accessible. We must rededicate ourselves 
                to building supportive classrooms and putting an end to 
                bullying that all too often targets young people with 
                disabilities.

                My Administration is bringing the same commitment to 
                our health care system. The Affordable Care Act already 
                made it illegal for insurers to deny coverage to 
                children with disabilities because of pre-existing 
                conditions, medical history, or genetic information. On 
                January 1, 2014, the same will be true for all 
                Americans. Alongside those protections, we have 
                strengthened Medicare and Medicaid and ramped up 
                programs to encourage community living and supportive 
                services.

                Together, we have come a long way toward ensuring equal 
                opportunity for all. On this anniversary, let us 
                recommit to going the rest of the distance. Let us 
                enforce the ADA, promote disability rights at home and 
                abroad, and make America a place that values the 
                contributions of all our citizens--regardless of 
                disability.

                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 July 26, 2013, the 
                Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I 
                encourage Americans

[[Page 46244]]

                across our Nation to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of 
                this civil rights law and the many contributions of 
                individuals with disabilities.

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

[FR Doc. 2013-18534
Filed 7-30-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3