    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 7712 of October 3, 2003

    National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2003

    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    For Americans with disabilities, employment is vital to independence,
    empowerment, and quality of life. During National Disability Employment
    Awareness Month, we recognize the many contributions citizens with
    disabilities make to our society, and we reaffirm our commitment to
    helping them achieve their full inclusion in our workforce.
    Today, Americans with disabilities enjoy improved access to education,
    government services, public accommodations, transportation,
    telecommunications, and employment opportunities. The landmark Americans
    with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) removed barriers and enabled many
    individuals with disabilities to find more opportunities to use their
    gifts and talents in the workplace. This progress has made our Nation
    stronger, more productive, and more just. People with disabilities still
    encounter challenges, however, to their full participation in American
    society.
    In February 2001, I launched the New Freedom Initiative to address these
    challenges, to fulfill the promises of the ADA, and to move toward an
    America where all our citizens live and work with dignity and freedom.
    This comprehensive plan is helping Americans with disabilities learn and
    develop skills, engage in productive work, make choices about their
    daily lives, and participate fully in their communities.
    A key component of the New Freedom Initiative is our commitment to
    integrate individuals with disabilities into the workforce. We have made
    substantial progress toward this goal. The Department of Justice has
    established an ADA Business Connection, a series of meetings between
    representatives of the business and disability communities to open
    dialogue that will promote greater understanding and increased voluntary
    compliance with the ADA. Also, the Department of Health and Human
    Services and the Social Security Administration are implementing the
    landmark ``Ticket to Work'' program that makes it possible for millions
    of Americans with disabilities to no longer have to choose between
    having a job and receiving health care. And the Department of Labor has
    established two national technical assistance centers on workforce and
    disability that offer training, technical assistance, and information to
    improve access for all in the workforce development system.

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    117 STAT. 3093

    By working together to open doors of opportunity for citizens with
    disabilities, we can help fulfill the promise of our great Nation.
    To recognize the contributions of Americans with disabilities and to
    encourage all citizens to help ensure their full inclusion in the
    workforce, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 11, 1945,
    as amended (36 U.S.C. 121), has designated October of each year as
    ``National Disability Employment Awareness Month.''
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
    America, do hereby proclaim October 2003 as National Disability
    Employment Awareness Month. I call upon government officials, labor
    leaders, employers, and all the people of the United States to observe
    this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of
    October, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    eighth.
    GEORGE W. BUSH