[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 61809-61810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24384]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 193 / Friday, October 4, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 61809]]


                Proclamation 9030 of September 30, 2013

                
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 
                2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our Nation has always drawn its strength from the 
                differences of our people, from a vast range of 
                thought, experience, and ability. Every day, Americans 
                with disabilities enrich our communities and 
                businesses. They are leaders, entrepreneurs, and 
                innovators, each with unique talents to contribute and 
                points of view to express. During National Disability 
                Employment Awareness Month, we nurture our culture of 
                diversity and renew our commitment to building an 
                American workforce that offers inclusion and 
                opportunity for all.

                Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities 
                Act, we have made great progress in removing barriers 
                for hardworking Americans. Yet today, only 20 percent 
                of Americans with disabilities, including veterans who 
                became disabled while serving our country, participate 
                in our labor force. We need their talent, dedication, 
                and creativity, which is why my Administration proudly 
                supports increased employment opportunities for people 
                with disabilities. To that end, I remain dedicated to 
                implementing Executive Order 13548, which called on 
                Federal agencies to increase recruitment, hiring, and 
                retention of people with disabilities. As a result of 
                our efforts, the Federal Government is hiring people 
                with disabilities at a higher rate than at any point in 
                over three decades. Most recently, we updated the rules 
                to make sure Federal contractors and subcontractors are 
                doing more to recruit, hire, and promote qualified 
                individuals with disabilities, including disabled 
                veterans. And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, States 
                are taking advantage of new options to support and 
                expand home and community-based services.

                In the years to come, I will remain committed to 
                ensuring the Federal Government leads by example. This 
                year, as we mark the 40th anniversary of the 
                Rehabilitation Act, I will continue to marshal the full 
                resources of my Administration toward effective and 
                comprehensive implementation.

                If we swing wide the doors of opportunity for our 
                family, friends, and neighbors with disabilities, all 
                of us will enjoy the benefits of their professional 
                contributions. This month, let us uphold the ideals of 
                equal access, equal opportunity, and a level playing 
                field for all Americans.

                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 2013 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 61810]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of September, 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. 2013-24384
Filed 10-3-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F4