[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 69373-69374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24356]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 194 / Thursday, October 6, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 69373]]


                Proclamation 9509 of September 30, 2016

                
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 
                2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Americans with disabilities are entitled to the same 
                rights and freedoms as any other citizen--including the 
                right to dignity and respect in the workplace. Too 
                often in our Nation's history, individuals with 
                disabilities have been eager to work but could not find 
                a job, facing red tape, discrimination, or employers 
                who assumed that disabled meant unable and refused to 
                hire them. This month, we recognize the significant 
                progress our country has made for those living with 
                disabilities, and we honor the lasting contributions 
                and diverse skills they bring to our workforce.

                As a country, we must acknowledge that despite the 
                great strides we have made in the 26 years since the 
                passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act--a 
                groundbreaking civil rights law aimed at eliminating 
                discrimination and assuring equality for people with 
                disabilities--we still have far to go to raise 
                awareness of discriminatory obstacles that individuals 
                with disabilities encounter in employment. Today, the 
                labor force participation rate for Americans with 
                disabilities is less than one-third the rate of those 
                without a disability, and the unemployment rate is more 
                than twice as high for individuals with disabilities. 
                To break down more of these barriers, we must expand 
                access to the resources and training necessary for 
                Americans with disabilities to succeed in the 
                workplace.

                My Administration is dedicated to upholding our 
                Nation's promise of equal opportunity for all and 
                advancing employment for people with disabilities in 
                every community. I am proud that the Federal Government 
                is leading by example as a model employer, now 
                employing more Americans with disabilities than at any 
                time in the last 30 years. Last year, the White House 
                hosted a Summit on Disability and Employment to share 
                resources for employers to hire more individuals with 
                disabilities and effective strategies for recruitment, 
                retention, hiring, and promotion of these employees. 
                Two years ago, through updates to Section 503 of the 
                Rehabilitation Act, we took action to increase the 
                representation of workers with disabilities in the 
                Federal contractor workforce. In 2014, I signed the 
                Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to help the 
                Departments of Labor and Education build initiatives 
                that advance employment opportunities for individuals 
                with disabilities--and earlier this summer, we issued 
                new regulations to provide greater and more inclusive 
                career development and training opportunities for 
                anyone facing barriers to employment.

                This year's National Disability Employment Awareness 
                Month theme focuses on the importance of inclusion, 
                especially when it comes to business, opportunity, and 
                innovation. When we diversify our workforce we create 
                opportunities for growth and improvement--not just for 
                those with disabilities, but for everyone. This month, 
                let us continue striving to forge a future where 
                workplaces are more inclusive and where employees are 
                more accepted for who they are. And because we know 
                that our country does best when everyone gets their 
                fair shot, let us keep working to ensure no one is left 
                behind or unable to pursue their dreams because of a 
                disability.

[[Page 69374]]

                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 2016 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.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of September, 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. 2016-24356
Filed 10-5-16; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P