[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 119, 109th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 7915--JULY 26, 2005
Proclamation 7915 of July 26, 2005
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2005
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This historic legislation
provides a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination
of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ADA
reflects our Nation's faith in the promise of all individuals and helps
to ensure that our Nation's opportunities are more accessible to all.
The ADA has been a great success in expanding opportunity for disabled
Americans. By reducing barriers and changing perceptions, the

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ADA has increased participation in community life and given greater hope
to millions of Americans.
Because of the ADA, individuals with disabilities are better able to
develop skills for school, work, and independent living. Our Nation has
more to do to further the goals of the ADA. Through the New Freedom
Initiative, my Administration is building on the progress of the ADA to
increase the use of technology and expand educational and employment
opportunities. We are promoting the development and dissemination of
assistive and universally designed technology. We have launched
DisabilityInfo.gov, an online resource of programs and technology
relevant to the daily lives of people with disabilities and their
families, employers, service providers, and other community members. We
also require electronic and information technologies used by the Federal
Government to be accessible to people with disabilities. To ensure that
no child with a disability is left behind, I have requested $11.1
billion for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in my FY
2006 budget--$4.7 billion above the FY 2001 level. The Department of
Education is seeking new and effective ways for students with
disabilities to learn. My Administration is also working to educate
employers on ADA requirements and further assisting persons with
disabilities by implementing the ``Ticket to Work''; program and
strengthening training and employment services at One-Stop Career
Centers. Through all of these efforts, we are helping individuals with
disabilities have the opportunity to live and work with greater freedom.
On the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we
celebrate the progress that has been made and reaffirm our commitment to
fulfilling the ADA's mission of bringing greater hope and opportunity to
our Nation's disabled Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2005, as a day in
celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities
Act. I call on all Americans to celebrate the many contributions
individuals with disabilities have made to our country, and I urge our
citizens to fulfill the promise of the ADA to give all people the
opportunity to live with dignity, work productively, and achieve their
dreams.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of
July, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH