[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 19, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 72479-72480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25485]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 202 / Wednesday, October 19, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 72479]]


                Proclamation 9525 of October 14, 2016

                
Blind Americans Equality Day, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each day, blind and visually impaired Americans 
                contribute to our society, refusing to allow anything 
                to hold them back. In order to ensure more Americans 
                with disabilities can continue participating fully in 
                our country, we must each do our part to promote equal 
                opportunity for all. On Blind Americans Equality Day, 
                we reaffirm the inherent dignity of every human being 
                and recommit to forging a future in which all 
                Americans, including those with visual impairments, can 
                pursue their full measure of happiness.

                More than two decades ago, one of the most 
                comprehensive civil rights bills in our history, the 
                Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), was signed into 
                law. Ever since, the ADA has helped reduce 
                discrimination and promote equal access to classrooms, 
                workplaces, and transportation--and it is imperative 
                that we build on the significant progress we have made 
                for individuals living with disabilities. Because the 
                unemployment rate is more than twice as high for 
                Americans with disabilities, my Administration has 
                worked to improve employment opportunities, including 
                within the Federal Government where we are leading as a 
                model employer. Last year, we hosted the White House 
                Summit on Disability and Employment, which provided 
                resources to help employers hire more individuals with 
                disabilities. And through the Workforce Innovation and 
                Opportunity Act, we expanded access to critical 
                services for many individuals with disabilities, 
                including those who are blind or visually impaired, so 
                that they can pursue high-quality employment 
                opportunities. People with disabilities deserve to live 
                their lives in their communities and raise their 
                families, and earlier this year we hosted a Forum on 
                the Civil Rights of Parents with Disabilities because 
                every family, including those headed by people with 
                disabilities, deserves the chance to reach for a future 
                of ever greater possibility.

                Our Nation must continue to promote equal opportunity 
                and the right of all Americans to live full and 
                independent lives. This begins early on--we must ensure 
                that any child with a print disability can access the 
                tools they need to pursue an education. That is why we 
                have worked to provide appropriate materials and 
                services, including Braille and Braille literacy 
                instruction, in schools. We are investing in 
                technologies that provide visually impaired students 
                equal access to the general education curriculum. We 
                are also working to make the websites of Government 
                agencies and private companies more accessible to 
                anyone with a disability--an effort which remains an 
                important priority. And I have encouraged the Senate to 
                ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to 
                Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually 
                Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled, which will 
                broaden access to a new world of knowledge for these 
                individuals.

                Disability touches us all, and together we can strive 
                to ensure that all blind and visually impaired 
                individuals face no unnecessary barriers to success. By 
                providing equal access to resources and technologies 
                and giving everyone the chance to make of their lives 
                what they will, we can continue to advance opportunity 
                and prosperity for all our people.

                By joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964 (Public 
                Law 88-628, as amended), the Congress designated 
                October 15 of each year as ``White Cane

[[Page 72480]]

                Safety Day'' to recognize the contributions of 
                Americans who are blind or have low vision. Today, let 
                us reaffirm our commitment to being a Nation where all 
                our people, including those with disabilities, have 
                every opportunity to achieve their dreams.

                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 15, 2016, as 
                Blind Americans Equality Day. I call upon public 
                officials, business and community leaders, educators, 
                librarians, and Americans across the country to observe 
                this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
                programs.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourteenth day of October, 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. 2016-25485
Filed 10-18-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P