[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 145 (Thursday, July 28, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 49851-49852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18087]



[[Page 49849]]

Vol. 81

Thursday,

No. 145

July 28, 2016

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 9471--Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 
2016



Proclamation 9472--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2016
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 145 / Thursday, July 28, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 49851]]

                Proclamation 9471 of July 25, 2016

                
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities 
                Act, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On July 26, 1990, our Nation marked a pivotal moment in 
                history for Americans with disabilities. Fueled by a 
                chorus of voices who refused to accept a second-class 
                status and driven by a movement that recognized that 
                our country is stronger and more vibrant when we draw 
                on the talents of all our people, the Americans with 
                Disabilities Act (ADA) enshrined into law the notion 
                that Americans living with disabilities deserve to 
                participate in our society free from discrimination. 
                Twenty-six years later, as we mark this anniversary, we 
                recognize all this milestone law has made possible for 
                the disability community.

                The ADA sought to guarantee that the places we share--
                from schools and workplaces to stadiums and parks--
                truly belong to everyone. It reflects our Nation's full 
                commitment to the rights and independence of people 
                with disabilities, and it has paved the way for a more 
                inclusive and equal society. For the 6.5 million 
                students and the approximately 50 million adults living 
                with mental or physical disabilities, the ADA has swung 
                open doors and empowered each of them to make of their 
                lives what they will.

                Building on this progress is a priority for my 
                Administration. The Federal Government has taken the 
                lead in creating meaningful employment opportunities 
                for people with disabilities. In my first term, I 
                issued an Executive Order that called on Federal 
                agencies and contractors to hire more people with 
                disabilities--and today, more Americans with 
                disabilities are working in Federal service than at any 
                time in the last three decades. My Administration has 
                vigorously enforced the Supreme Court's ruling in the 
                Olmstead decision--which determined that, under the 
                ADA, people with disabilities cannot be unnecessarily 
                segregated--and worked to deliver on the promise that 
                individuals with disabilities have access to 
                integrated, community-based services. The Affordable 
                Care Act affirmed that Americans with pre-existing 
                conditions can no longer be denied health insurance, 
                and this year, we made it clear that health care 
                providers must offer reasonable accommodations and 
                ensure effective communication for individuals with 
                disabilities in order to advance health equity and 
                reduce health care disparities.

                As we commemorate this progress, we know our work to 
                expand opportunity and confront the stigma that 
                persists surrounding disabilities is not yet finished: 
                We have to address the injustices that linger and 
                remove the barriers that remain. Too many people with 
                disabilities are still unemployed and lack access to 
                skills training or are not paid fairly for their work. 
                We must continue increasing graduation rates for 
                students with disabilities to give them every chance to 
                receive the education and training they need to pursue 
                their dreams. We must make the information and 
                communication technologies we rely on accessible for 
                all people, and ensure their needs are considered and 
                incorporated as we advance the tools of modern life. 
                And we must keep fighting for more consistent and 
                effective enforcement of the ADA in order to prevent 
                discrimination in public services and accommodations.

                At a time when so many doubted that people with 
                disabilities could contribute to our economy or support 
                their families, the ADA assumed they

[[Page 49852]]

                could, and guided the way forward. Today, as we reflect 
                on the courage and commitment of all who made this 
                achievement possible, let us renew our obligation to 
                extend the promise of the American dream to all our 
                people, and let us recommit to building a world free of 
                unnecessary barriers and full of deeper understanding 
                of those living with disabilities.

                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, 2016, the 
                Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I 
                encourage Americans across our Nation to celebrate the 
                26th 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 sixteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-first.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-18087
Filed 7-27-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P