[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 145 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 45391-45392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18785]



[[Page 45389]]

Vol. 80

Wednesday,

No. 145

July 29, 2015

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 9302--Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act



Proclamation 9303--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2015
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  Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 145 / Wednesday, July 29, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 45391]]

                Proclamation 9302 of July 24, 2015

                
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities 
                Act, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Twenty-five years ago, the Americans with Disabilities 
                Act (ADA) reaffirmed the idea that in America, all 
                people are entitled to participate fully in our economy 
                and democracy. A law deeply rooted in the principles of 
                our Nation's founding, this landmark civil rights 
                legislation recognized that all Americans have 
                something to contribute to our country's story and 
                deserve every chance to achieve their full potential. 
                For a quarter-century, our Nation has fought to realize 
                this law's enormous promise, and with hard work, we 
                have helped expand what is possible so more of our 
                friends, colleagues, and family members can live full 
                and independent lives.

                The product of tremendous effort, struggle, and 
                sacrifice, the passage of the ADA was a victory won by 
                countless Americans who refused to accept the world as 
                it was and--against great odds--organized a grassroots 
                movement to enshrine the principle of equality into 
                law. One of the most comprehensive civil rights bills 
                in the history of our country, the ADA promises 
                fairness, opportunity, and complete participation in 
                all aspects of American life for individuals with 
                disabilities. It secures each person's right to 
                independence, and it enables our society and our 
                economy to benefit from the talents and contributions 
                of all Americans by clearing obstacles to employment, 
                transportation, public services, telecommunications, 
                and public accommodations.

                Today, as we celebrate this important anniversary and 
                honor all those whose courage and dedication have 
                driven our Nation's progress, we recognize that our 
                work to uphold the spirit and the letter of this law is 
                not yet finished. In communities throughout our 
                country, barriers that limit our neighbors' potential 
                have been torn down, but too many continue to encounter 
                discrimination and structural inequalities that 
                prohibit them from pursuing their dreams. Young people 
                with disabilities continue to experience bullying in 
                schools. Americans with disabilities who want to and 
                can work are too often denied the dignity of a job. And 
                many working Americans with disabilities still live 
                below the poverty line.

                My Administration is committed to addressing the unique 
                challenges people with disabilities face as they seek 
                to attain economic stability. Americans with 
                disabilities deserve access to quality health care, 
                affordable housing, inclusive financial institutions, 
                and the innovative technologies that are transforming 
                our world. That is why we have actively enforced the 
                ADA, and why we have worked to toughen the protections 
                against disability-based discrimination, increase 
                accessibility in our communities, and expand 
                opportunities for employment, education, and financial 
                independence for people with disabilities. We have led 
                by example within the Federal Government, and I am 
                proud that there are now more Americans with 
                disabilities working in Federal service than at any 
                time in the past three decades. We continue to address 
                bullying and harassment in our classrooms, ensuring 
                every student has a nurturing environment in which to 
                learn and grow. And because we know disability rights 
                are human rights, we are championing protections and 
                support for people with disabilities around the world.

[[Page 45392]]

                Disability touches all of us. More than 50 million 
                Americans have a disability, and living up to the 
                principles of the ADA is an obligation we all share. 
                Every person deserves equal access, equal opportunity, 
                and equal respect, and we each must do our part to 
                ensure our Nation's promise is within the reach of all 
                Americans. As we reflect on 25 years of progress, let 
                us reaffirm the inherent dignity and worth of every 
                individual, and together, redouble our efforts to build 
                a society where all things are possible for 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 July 26, 2015, the 
                Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I 
                encourage Americans across our Nation to celebrate the 
                25th 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-fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-18785
Filed 7-28-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5